Description

With woodcut printer's device on title and many small metal cut initials or head-pieces. (50), 368 leaves, 381-384 (quire HHh skipped in the count), 76 leaves. 4to. 17th century limp vellum with ms. title on spine, ties. Paris, Marcus Orry, 1588. First edition of Cassiodorus' collected works, edited by the Parisian scholar Guillaume Fournier (died 1584). Cassiodorus (fl. 6th century A.D.), one of the founders of western medieval civilization, historian, statesman and monk, was quaestor under king Theodoric, later ordinary consul of his native province of Bruttium in Calabria. After Theodoric's death, he became head of the civil services and, under Athalaric, was made prefect. He is the chief source for the life and reign of Theodoric. In addition to his works, the volume contains other historic tracts concerning the Ostrogothic empire: the "Edictum Theodorici", Ennodius' "Panegyricus Theodorici", and Jordanes' "De rebus Geticis". At least the "De amicitia" is first printed here.- Collation of this present copy is the same as in BL or Bavarian State Libr. Munich. - Old library stamp on title, stitching somewhat loose, otherwise nice. - Adams C-866; Index aurel. 133.258; STC, (French), suppl. 22; cf. Potthast 197f. HISTORY (KULTURGESCHICHTE) ;