An original 1681 copperplate engraved introductory leaf from the celebrated Roman imperial portrait series published in Rome by Io. Jacob de Rubeis (Giovanni Giacomo de Rossi / de Rubeis) near the Church of Santa Maria della Pace. The engraving was designed and engraved by the distinguished Italian artist Pietro Aquila (Petrus Aquila Panormitanus), one of the leading engravers of seventeenth-century Rome.
Unlike the portrait plates, this sheet serves as the publisher's preface to the work. The Latin text explains the purpose of the publication: to present historically accurate portraits of Roman emperors based primarily on ancient Roman coins and medals. The publisher notes that earlier scholars such as Hubert Goltzius and Octavianus Strada had published imperial portraits, but this edition sought to provide more faithful and carefully corrected images using the best historical authorities available at the time.
The text further explains that the editors intentionally excluded rulers considered illegitimate or tyrannical and relied on respected historians including Panvinio, Strada, Baronius, Rupertus, Raynaudus, and Riccioli in preparing this monumental historical series. It concludes with the publication statement:
"Roma Anno Salutis MDCLXXXI" (Rome, A.D. 1681)
and credits Pietro Aquila as the engraver while naming Io. Jacob de Rubeis as the publisher.
Printed from an original copperplate on seventeenth-century laid paper, the sheet features an impressive Baroque composition with a large imperial eagle above the text and richly engraved ornamental borders. It is an integral page from one of the most important illustrated Roman imperial portrait publications of the seventeenth century.
Comparable impressions from this landmark engraving series are preserved in the British Museum, making this an exceptional historical document for collectors of Roman history, numismatics, Baroque engraving, and early scholarly publications.
Each king description:
No. 12 – Domitian (A.D. 81–96)
Title:
Original 1681 Copperplate Engraving – Emperor Domitian No. 12 – Roman Imperial Portrait
Description:
Original seventeenth-century copperplate engraving depicting Domitian, Roman Emperor (A.D. 81–96), the last ruler of the Flavian dynasty. Printed circa 1681 on original laid paper with crisp engraving detail and original Latin inscriptions. A comparable example from this historic imperial portrait series is preserved in the British Museum. An exceptional antique print for collectors of Roman imperial history.
No. 13 – Nerva (A.D. 96–98)
Title:
Original 1681 Copperplate Engraving – Emperor Nerva No. 13 – Roman Imperial Portrait
Description:
Authentic Baroque copperplate engraving portraying Nerva, Roman Emperor (A.D. 96–98), founder of the Nerva–Antonine dynasty. Printed on original laid paper with elegant Latin inscriptions and fine engraved detail. Comparable examples from this series are represented in the British Museum. A desirable historical portrait from Imperial Rome.
No. 14 – Trajan (A.D. 98–117)
Title:
Original 1681 Copperplate Engraving – Emperor Trajan No. 14 – Roman Imperial Portrait
Description:
Original seventeenth-century copperplate engraving featuring Trajan, one of Rome's greatest emperors (A.D. 98–117), under whom the Empire reached its greatest territorial extent. Printed circa 1681 on original laid paper with sharp impressions and original Latin text. A comparable example from this renowned series is preserved in the British Museum.
No. 33 – Gordian I (A.D. 238)
Title:
Original 1681 Copperplate Engraving – Emperor Gordian I No. 33 – Roman Imperial Portrait
Description:
Authentic copperplate engraving depicting Gordian I, Roman Emperor during the Year of the Six Emperors (A.D. 238). Printed on original laid paper with finely engraved profile portrait and original Latin inscriptions. Comparable examples from this series are preserved in the British Museum.
No. 34 – Gordian II (A.D. 238)
Title:
Original 1681 Copperplate Engraving – Emperor Gordian II No. 34 – Roman Imperial Portrait
Description:
Original Baroque copperplate engraving portraying Gordian II, who briefly ruled alongside his father Gordian I in A.D. 238. Printed circa 1681 on original laid paper with crisp engraving quality and original Latin captions. A comparable example from this historic series is preserved in the British Museum.
No. 35 – Balbinus (A.D. 238)
Title:
Original 1681 Copperplate Engraving – Emperor Balbinus No. 35 – Roman Imperial Portrait
Description:
Authentic seventeenth-century copperplate engraving depicting Balbinus, Roman Emperor (A.D. 238), who jointly ruled with Pupienus during the Empire's political crisis. Printed on original laid paper with exceptional engraved detail and original Latin inscriptions. Comparable examples are held by the British Museum.
No. 54 – Carus (A.D. 282–283)
Title:
Original 1681 Copperplate Engraving – Emperor Carus No. 54 – Roman Imperial Portrait
Description:
Original copperplate engraving portraying Carus, Roman Emperor (A.D. 282–283), shown wearing the imperial crown. Printed circa 1681 on original laid paper with elegant Baroque engraving and original Latin text. A comparable example from this celebrated series is preserved in the British Museum.
No. 55 – Carinus (A.D. 283–285)
Title:
Original 1681 Copperplate Engraving – Emperor Carinus No. 55 – Roman Imperial Portrait
Description:
Authentic seventeenth-century copperplate engraving depicting Carinus, Roman Emperor (A.D. 283–285), son of Carus. Printed on original laid paper with sharp impressions, decorative Latin inscriptions, and fine portrait engraving. Comparable examples from this series are represented in the British Museum.
No. 56 – Numerian (A.D. 283–284)
Title:
Original 1681 Copperplate Engraving – Emperor Numerian No. 56 – Roman Imperial Portrait
Description:
Original Baroque copperplate engraving featuring Numerian, Roman Emperor (A.D. 283–284), brother of Carinus. Printed circa 1681 on original laid paper with excellent engraving detail and original Latin inscriptions. Comparable examples from this historic series are preserved in the British Museum.
No. 75 – Honorius (A.D. 393–423)
Title:
Original 1681 Copperplate Engraving – Emperor Honorius No. 75 – Western Roman Imperial Portrait
Description:
Authentic copperplate engraving portraying Honorius, Western Roman Emperor (A.D. 393–423), during the era that witnessed the sack of Rome in A.D. 410. Printed on original laid paper with crisp Baroque engraving and original Latin text. A comparable example from this engraving series is preserved in the British Museum.
No. 76 – Theodosius II (A.D. 408–450)
Title:
Original 1681 Copperplate Engraving – Emperor Theodosius II No. 76 – Byzantine Imperial Portrait
Description:
Original seventeenth-century copperplate engraving depicting Theodosius II, Byzantine Emperor (A.D. 408–450), remembered for the Theodosian Code and the famous Walls of Constantinople. Printed circa 1681 on original laid paper with original Latin inscriptions. Comparable examples from this series are preserved in the British Museum.
No. 77 – Constantius III (A.D. 421)
Title:
Original 1681 Copperplate Engraving – Emperor Constantius III No. 77 – Western Roman Imperial Portrait
Description:
Authentic Baroque copperplate engraving portraying Constantius III, Western Roman Emperor in A.D. 421. Printed on original laid paper with finely engraved portrait, crisp Latin inscriptions, and excellent seventeenth-century impression quality. A comparable example from this historic imperial portrait series is preserved in the British Museum, making it an excellent addition to any collection of Roman imperial history and antique engravings.