Abrégé des Commentaires de M. de Folard, sur l'Histoire de Polybe

First edition, richly illustrated, of the abridged version of the famous commentaries by the Chevalier de Folard, established by the Count of Chabot. 113 copperplate engravings - sometimes folding (Volume I: 51, volume 2: 22 and volume 3: 40) - representing techniques, battle scenes and war machines of Antiquity; including 4 maps and a plan of Cremona.

Full speckled blonde calf binding. Spine with five raised bands decorated with red morocco title and volume labels and gilt compartments and fleurons; gilt dentelles at foot. All edges red. Two head caps worn, the third slightly rubbed. Some wormholes on the spine of the second volume. Two corners slightly bumped. Numerous scuffing.

Let us emphasize once again the importance of this work in the theory of military strategies. We owe to the Count of Chabot this edition which does not retain the entirety of Polybius's History, in 6 volumes in quarto, but is mainly focused on the commentaries. Military man and strategist, Folard would end up as fortress commander and Mestre de camp, Folard's project (who was nicknamed the French Vegetius) was to develop his ideas by commenting on Polybius's text. The work contains the famous treatise on the column, military formation of which Folard is the inventor, and the Treatise on the attack and defense of ancient fortifications.