Monumens de la vie privée des douze Césars, d'après une suite de pierres gravées sous leur règne

Published in 1785, this work is attributed to the eccentric scholar and art dealer Pierre-François Hugues d'Hancarville. The text serves as a pseudo-historical commentary on a series of engraved gemstones supposedly depicting the intimate and illicit lives of the twelve Roman Caesars. It reflects the 18th-century European fascination with antiquity, blending legitimate archaeological interest with the period's taste for libertine literature and scandal.

The publication is emblematic of Enlightenment-era antiquarianism, where scholars often used historical narratives to explore themes of vice and morality. D'Hancarville, known for his work on the Hamilton collection, utilized these illustrations to frame a provocative narrative that aimed to shock and entertain his sophisticated readership. While its historical accuracy is highly dubious, the work remains a significant artifact of 18th-century bibliophilic culture and the intersection of classical scholarship and erotica.