The most important historian of late antiquity. One of the earliest printed editions of Eusebius of Caesarea's Historia ecclesiastica, translated from the Greek into Latin by the monk and theologian Rufinus of Aquileia (d. AD 411). This edition, the second to be published in Italy, was preceded by three others, printed in Utrecht, Strasbourg, and Rome. It is the last of about seven known books whose printing was attributed to Schallus (Mantua, between 1475 and 1479).

Eusebius (d. AD 339) wrote the Historia ecclesiatica during the reign of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome, and ended his narrative before the death of Constantine's son Crispus in July AD 326. It is the most important contemporary history of the early Church, and one of the most valuable historical sources written in the late antiquity, especially noted for its detailed description of the various early sects, movements and schisms within the burgeoning church. This edition includes the continuation by Rufinus of Aquileia of the history down to the year 403 AD.

The inscription to the front pastedown reads 'Questa edizione trovasi pregiatissima presso tutti i bibliografi ed il presente esemplare è riguardevole per la sua bella conservazione' ('This edition is very valuable to all bibliographers and the present example is remarkable for its good condition').

Fourth edition; small folio (25.5 x 17.3 cm); text in Latin, [171] leaves of 172 (lacking final blank), signatures supplied in manuscript, text printed on 34 lines, old library notes and title inscribed in pen to a1 recto, initial spaces with guide letters (printed and in manuscript), neat repair to first two leaves not affecting text, slight worming to prelims, inscribed in pen in Italian to front pastedown, leaf K slightly loose, leaves irregularly numbered in manuscript; eighteenth-century full vellum over boards, manuscript lettering to spine, light soiling to boards, otherwise a very good copy of an important work; a-s8 t6 v8 x6 y7.

ISTC ie00127000; Goff E127; HC 6711*; GfT 1935; Pell 4638; Hillard 784; Aquilon 281; Arnoult 585; Girard 187; Lefèvre 180.