caldrail Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 (edited) I came across a quaint little tale recently and I'm curious to know if there's any truth to it. The story goes like this... Back in the closing days of the Ottoman Empire, there was a palace fire and a french embassy official happened to see a looter carrying off a thick volume entitled 'History of Rome', supposedly written by Titus Livius and thought lost for centuries. He haggled with the man but since he didn't have the asking price, he made an agreement with the turk to meet and buy the book. The turk never showed up. Quite how the sharp eyed official recognised the book for what it was supposed to be is anyones guess, particularly since this was during civil disorder, but I'd like to know if there's some basis to this tale. Anyone know anything? Edited March 20, 2008 by caldrail Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bryaxis Hecatee Posted March 20, 2008 Report Share Posted March 20, 2008 I've got no idea about that story's thruth but you might find data on it in the introduction of a translation of Livy's work, a Bude for exemple. Still I got reservations on the story because in the closing days of the Ottoman means in the 1910's and Livy's work had been known for quite a long time before that. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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