Lot n° 110
Estimation :
600 - 800
EUR
EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA (Eusebius Caesariensis, ca. 265–339). E - Lot 110
EUSEBIUS OF CAESAREA (Eusebius Caesariensis, ca. 265–339). Eusebius Pamphilius of Caesarea … Works, which, through the diligent efforts of learned men … inveniri potuerunt: omnia castigatiora & locupletiora, quam antehac unquam edita.
A major Latin patristic collection, bringing together the essential works of Eusebius translated between the 15th and early 16th centuries.
Basilea, Per Henricum Petri, [1548].
One folio volume (330x216mm). Contemporary ivory vellum binding with blind-stamped fillets and a lovely floral plaque in the center of the covers. Blank spine, no volume number indicated.
[32], 469 [i.e. 766 pp.], [2 pp.]. Volume 2 is missing.
Scuffs and stains on the leather, a tear of about 5 cm at the second joint, a small tear in the leather on the front cover. Spine re-glued, traces of glue, title faded, small tears at the edges without damage to the wood, slight water stains in the bottom margin at the beginning. A few foxing spots. 2 loose leaves, without text.
Beautiful Basel edition, title in a large decorated frame, woodcut. Printed in round type, with wood-engraved historiated initials and headpieces. This edition reflects the humanist reception of Greek Christian sources at the time of their rediscovery by Renaissance scholars.
Handwritten bookplate from a religious institution.
Contents:
1. De Evangelica praeparatione — Latin translation by Georgius Trapezuntius (Georgios Trapezountios), Byzantine philosopher (c. 1395–1472).
An apologetic work in 15 books preparing pagans for Christian doctrine, written around 313–324. The translation was completed around 1457–1460, widely circulated in manuscript form, and printed in Venice as early as 1497.
2. De Evangelica demonstratione — Translation by Donatus Veronensis (monk from Verona, 15th cent.).
A direct sequel to the Praeparatio, this “evangelical demonstration” sets forth the superiority of the Christian message. Translated at the end of the 15th century, printed for the first time in 1536.
3. Historia ecclesiastica — Translation by Tyrannius Rufinus of Aquileia (c. 345–410).
History of the Christian Church up to 324, a fundamental work for patristics and ecclesiastical chronology. Partial translation with theological adaptations.
4. Rufini presbyteri Aquileiensis historia ecclesiastica (continuation of the previous work).
Rufinus’s personal additions to Eusebius’s work, covering the period from Constantine to Theodosius.
5. De vita Constantini — Translation by Ioannes Portesius (Jean Portese), likely active in the early 16th century.
A Christian panegyric of Emperor Constantine, written around 337–339, significant for its portrayal of nascent Caesaropapism.
6. Adversus Hieroclem — Against the heresy of Hierocles, translated by Zenobius Accioli (Zenobio Accioli, 1415–1461), a Florentine humanist.
A brief treatise against pagan apologetics, particularly that of the Neoplatonist Hierocles, who compared Apollonius of Tyana to Jesus.
7. De philosophorum circa res naturales et mundi partes dissensione — Attributed to Eusebius, likely a late philosophical summary or a text compiled by a humanist translator from Greek cosmological discussions. Authorship is uncertain.
Eusebius’s Chronicon, contained in volume 2, is missing from this copy.
A fine copy of this rare work.
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