The book „Villas of the Ancients illustrated“ was written by Robert Castell. It was published in 1728 in London for the author himself. The book deals with topic of the domestic architecture in Italy in the early 18thcentury. It is organized into different parts: The Preface, A List of Subscribers, Part One, Part two, Part three, Remarks on Tuscum and Index. Most of “Villas of the Ancients illustrated” is written in English, except for part one which is written in two languages: Latin and English.
The height of the book is 525mm, whereas the width is 370mm and he breadth 35mm. There are 128 pages (excluding dedication, preface, list of subscribers, illustrations and index). In addition to that there are 16 illustrations. In accordance to the table of standard book size “Villas of the Ancients illustrated” belongs to the size „Folio“.
In each of the main parts (Part one, two and three) one Roman villa is being described. This is done in form of descriptive texts, plans and illustrations. Not only the design and different rooms of the villas are being described but also where it lays and how to reach it. All of this is done in a subjective way where the authors admiration for the villa becomes very clear.