In all the literature on Rome in the eighteen century, a figure is constantly - but fleetingly - mentioned: (Francesco di) Ficoroni. It is time to restore him to his rightful place, namely as the leading antiquarian in Rome of his age (1662-1747). He is the author of many books on his collections, and more than 500 of his letters survive, showing him as a central figure in the antiquarian life of Europe in the first half of the century, relied on by aristocrats, Church figures and collectors. He was the leading cicerone (guide) to the early visitors of the Grand Tour. The richness and importance of his life are here revealed for the first time.

The first Roman emperor's account of his own accomplishments, first copied in manuscript in the 16th century and first definitively published in the later 19th, is fraught with difficulties and complexities that Ridley says can best be addressed with historiography untainted by postmodernism or political correctness. Volumes have been written about most aspects of the text, and he assembles the arguments and insights into a more coherent and comprehensive study than he has seen before. Distributed by the David Brown Book Company. Annotation ©2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)