"The Roman Vergil has been one of the most famous books in the Vatican Library since the late fifteenth century and it remains one of the largest books known from Classical antiquity. Produced in Rome near the end of the fifth century A.D., it is a masterpiece of book making. Written on the finest possible parchment, in supremely elegant capital script, it was designed with an elaborate sequence of display pages, but with illustrations in a Late Antique style that has long puzzled art historians.".

"In this new book all twenty surviving illuminated pages are reproduced in colour and accompanied by explanatory text. Further discussion of the place of this manuscript in the history of art and of book design is also included, with numerous comparisons illustrated in colour. Aimed at a general audience of lovers of manuscripts and classical art and culture, this is a fascinating investigation of an enigmatic manuscript, interpreted by its leading scholar."--BOOK JACKET.