⚠Significant ink bleed-through from the reverse side is visible, particularly at the top and bottom of the page, though the primary text remains legible.

A decorative woodcut headpiece features a central female bust in a classical style, flanked by two circular medallions containing male portraits. The medallions are joined by floral swags and wreaths, with potted topiary trees at each end of the frieze.

VALENTIN ROTMAR’S

DEDICATORY EPISTLE.

To the Most Illustrious and Excellent Prince and Lord,

Lord Philip, Margrave of Baden, and Count in

Sponheim original: "Spanham"; the County of Sponheim was a territory in the Holy Roman Empire, etc. To his most Gracious and

Distinguished Patron.

May you fare well and be of good health. original: "τὸ εὖ πράττειν καὶ ὑγιαίνειν"; a traditional Greek salutation wishing the recipient both prosperity and physical health.

Those who compose histories of past events, Most Illustrious Prince, desire not only to provide for the benefit of posterity through the commendation and examples of the most distinguished virtues, words, and deeds, but also to secure immortal glory of name for virtue itself and for those illustrious men who have served the State original: "Republica"; in this context, it refers to the "commonwealth" or the public good of the community and empire well—a reward which is, by far, the most beautiful of all prizes. And although the method of writing varies among different authors, and an equal abundance and majesty of subject matter is not available to everyone, I nevertheless believe that the efforts of no one who desires to bring some light to more refined literature, or to gratify the lovers of history, should be dismissed, regardless of how those efforts may turn out.

Indeed, we do not always take pleasure in dwelling upon those matters which are most remote from human memory, nor upon the more serious...