The Corpus Agrimensorum Romanorum , compiled in the 5th century AD, was a collection of Roman surveying manuals, produced by a variety of authors, writing at different times and with very different priorities; authors include Julius Frontius, Aegennius Urbicus, Hyginus, Balbus, Siculus Flaccus, as well as miscellaneous texts. This substantial volume aims to make these sources more accessible by presenting the Latin text with facing English translation, suceeded by a 130 page commentary. The eclectic choice of sources avoids the purely technical texts and includes those which Campbell considers to be most useful for historians, archaeologists and those studying ancient technology. The introduction discusses the text and authors, the origins, development and status of surveying and Roman land division. A series of illustrations, diagrams, a glossary of terms and a large bibliography conclude the volume.

A comprehensive account of ancient surveying instruments together with translations of all the ancient sources.