ΠΡΟΚΟΠΙΟΥ ΡΗΤΟΡΟΣ [PROCOPIUS]: ΠΕΡΙ ΤΩΝ ΤΟΥ ΔΕΣΠΟΤΟΥ ΙΟΥΣΤΙΝΙΑΝΟΥ ΚΤΙΣΜΑΤΩΝ [DE AEDIFICIIS] together at head [ΠΡΟΚΟΠΙΟΥ ΚΑΙΣΑΡΕΩΣ] PROCOPII CAESARIENSIS :[ ΠΕΡΙ ΠΟΛΕΜΩΝ] DE REBUS GOTHORUM, PERSARUM AC VANDALORUM LIBRI VI.BASILEAE, SEPTEMBRI 1531 EDITIO PRINCEPS of the Greek text Περὶ Κτισμάτων (On Buildings). Text only in Greek; the accompanying work, The Wars, is here in Latin (the Greek original was first published only in the early 17th century). In folio (30 × 21 cm). Bound in early vellum over boards, most likely early 17th century. Binding worn, with loss to vellum at head of spine and some paper missing from covers, but sound and holding well. Text generally very clean and bright, with occasional light browning, at the last part some worming at lower edges . Complete: title, [22], 690, 46, [1] pp. With different woodcut devices at title and at the end. Overall, a very good copy for a 500-year-old book. “On Buildings” is a panegyric on Justinian’s public works projects throughout the Levant, and is an invaluable source for many cities, monuments, and regions of the Mediterranean and Black Sea otherwise unknown. It mentions the construction of the bridge over the Sangarius River (built in the late 550s), but not the collapse of the dome of Hagia Sophia (557), dating its composition around that time. “The Wars” provides a detailed account of the campaigns against the Persians in the East and the reconquest from the Goths and Vandals in the West, covering mid-6th century events in Italy, the Mediterranean islands, and Africa. Because of the central importance of Italian history to the Renaissance, this work drew early attention. A very early edition of Procopius’ works and the editio princeps of “On Buildings”. References: Adams P 2149; Potthast II, 939.