<p>From Attic classics to apothecary's Latin. come feast at the banquet of the ancients. On the menu at Aesop's tables: Roman let us scroll, Gaelic reads,&nbsp; Ovid's spoil, Chinese feud.</p>

The Ancient Authors

From Attic classics to apothecary's Latin. come feast at the banquet of the ancients. On the menu at Aesop's tables: Roman let us scroll, Gaelic reads,  Ovid's spoil, Chinese feud.

107 results
The Ancient Authors
  1. Oeuvres morales et meslees. Translatées de grec en français, reveues & corrigées en plusieurs passages par le translateur
    PLUTARQUE, Jacques AMYOT (trans.)

    Oeuvres morales et meslees. Translatées de grec en français, reveues & corrigées en plusieurs passages par le translateur

    Pour Samuel Crespin|à Cologni [Cologne] 1614|38 x 25 cm|relié
    The first edition of Amyot's translation dates from 1572 published by Michel de Vascosan in Paris.
    Contemporary full calf binding, spine with six raised bands, 6 fleurons, double fillet frame on boards.
    Jacques Amyot (1513-1594), was tutor to the sons of Henri II (future Charles IX and Henri III), he was also professor at the University of Bourges and became grand almoner of France and bishop of Auxerre, which he made an important center of humanism. It was on the recommendation of François I that he translated Plutarch's Lives of Illustrious Men. This work, and subsequently the moral works, had and would have considerable impact, not only for the rediscovery of antiquity (which...
    €1,500
  2. C. C. Sallustii Crispi quae supersunt opera. Conivratio catilinae. Bellum iugurthinum. Histoiarum libri a Ludovico Carrione collecti & restituti. Una cum annotationibus & scholiis
    SALLUSTE [Caius Crispus Sallustius]

    C. C. Sallustii Crispi quae supersunt opera. Conivratio catilinae. Bellum iugurthinum. Histoiarum libri a Ludovico Carrione collecti & restituti. Una cum annotationibus & scholiis

    apud Petrum Santandreanum|s. l. • [Lyon?] 1574|17 x 11.50 cm|relié
    The rare first edition of these works of Sallust in Latin and Greek.
    Full modern Flemish vellum binding perfectly executed.
    A second part containing Carrione's commentaries and Sallust's text in Greek has its own title page: In C. Sallustii crispi catilinam, et iugurtham. Aldi Manutii Paul F. Scolia. Cypriani a opma emendetiones. In Histotiarum lib. VI a ludovico carrione suma diligentia collectos. 1574. Printer's device of Pierre de Saint André on the title page. These works of Sallust are a reprint of the Greek texts held by Aldo Manuce in Venice. The work is formed of two distinct parts, the first is a Latin translation, the second is composed of commentaries by Louis Carrion of...
    €1,200
  3. Haymonis episcopi Halberslatten in D. Pauli epistolas omnes interpretation, ad uetustissimorum exemplarium fidem quam diligentissime recognita
    HAYMO

    Haymonis episcopi Halberslatten in D. Pauli epistolas omnes interpretation, ad uetustissimorum exemplarium fidem quam diligentissime recognita

    Ex officina Eucharii Ceruicozni. Impensis Magistri Godefridi Hitorpii|Coloniae [Cologne] • (Cologne) 1539|16.20 x 11 cm|relié
    Rare edition, unknown to the Bibliothèque Nationale de France and to numerous libraries.
    Handsome Renaissance binding in full glazed brown calf with spine in four compartments, boards formed of a central rectangle divided at its center and decorated with leafy designs, rich frieze framing the rectangle composed of musical angels, a flutist, a drummer and decorative elements. Slits for the placement of ties (now missing). Upper headcap restored, and minor various restorations (edges, corners and endpapers...). One volume, small octavo, unpaginated and unfoliated.
    Haymo was a Benedictine priest of the 9th century (he died in 853), after having traveled, notably to Tours, and...
    €1,800
  4. M. Actii Plauti Comediae XX. Post omnes omnium aéditiones accuryissime recognitae. Praeter reliquas commoditates, habes hic lector optime annotationes in omnes comoedias per G. Longolium...
    PLAUTE

    M. Actii Plauti Comediae XX. Post omnes omnium aéditiones accuryissime recognitae. Praeter reliquas commoditates, habes hic lector optime annotationes in omnes comoedias per G. Longolium...

    Excudebat Ioannes Gymnicus|Coloniae [Cologne] • (Cologne) 1538|16 x 10.50 cm|relié
    First edition. Edition not found in German libraries which possess an edition of 1535 in Basel with another commentator, nor in French and English libraries. Fine italic printing in small type. The first edition of Plautus is from 1472. Edition not cited in Brunet.
    Later full vellum binding, perhaps 18th century. Spine with raised bands. Manuscript title in black ink in the 19th century.
    The comedies of Plautus constitute the largest collection of works that we possess from antiquity. A manuscript note on the title page "Possedet Emilius Friaud professor anno 1855."
    Engraved bookplate Jean Baptiste Peyer seigneur de Fontenelle.
    Library label of Dr Broca.
    Manuscript...
    €900
  5. Vitae caesarum quarum scriptores hi Suetonius Tranquillus, Dion Cassius, Aelius Spartianus, Iulius Capitolinus, Aelius Lampridius, Vulcatius Gallicanus, Trebellius Pollio, Flauius Vopiscus, Herodianus, Sex. Aurelius Victor, Pomponius Laetus, Io. Baptista Egnatius, Eutropij libri X. integritati pristinae redditi. Ammianus Marcellinus longe alius quàm antehac unquam / Annotationes D. Erasmi Rot. & Baptistae Egnatij in uitas Caess. Accesserunt in hac éditione Velleij Paterculi libri II. ab innumeris denuo uendicati erroribus. additio indice copiosissimo
    ÉRASME, Giovanni Battista EGNAZIO

    Vitae caesarum quarum scriptores hi Suetonius Tranquillus, Dion Cassius, Aelius Spartianus, Iulius Capitolinus, Aelius Lampridius, Vulcatius Gallicanus, Trebellius Pollio, Flauius Vopiscus, Herodianus, Sex. Aurelius Victor, Pomponius Laetus, Io. Baptista Egnatius, Eutropij libri X. integritati pristinae redditi. Ammianus Marcellinus longe alius quàm antehac unquam / Annotationes D. Erasmi Rot. & Baptistae Egnatij in uitas Caess. Accesserunt in hac éditione Velleij Paterculi libri II. ab innumeris denuo uendicati erroribus. additio indice copiosissimo

    Froben|Basilae [Basel] • (Bâle) [Basel] 1546|33 x 22.50 cm|relié
    Colophon: Basileae per Hieronymvm Frobenivm et Nic. Episcopvm mense Septembri, M.D.XLVI.
    First edition. Decorated with numerous historiated initials. Printer's device on the title page and verso of the final leaf. Absent from French catalogues, but present in English catalogues, 2 copies in Germany at the GBV (union catalogue of northern Germany) and one at the University of Munich. The 1544 edition published in Paris does not include Erasmus's notes and the complete assembly of authors gathered in this edition; the Parisian edition was reissued in 1551 in Lyon by Gryphium, but not this Froben edition, which reproduces only Egnazio's edition. The first edition of Suetonius dates from...
    €1,100
  6. DE TOTA GRACIA LIBRI DECEM, quibus non solum urbium situs, locorumq[ue] interualla accuratè est complexus, sed regum etiam familias, bellorum causas & euentus, sacrorum ritus, rerumpub. status copiose descripsit: hactenus à nemine in linguam Latinam conuersi, nuncq[ue] primùm in lucem editi / Abrahamo Loeschero interprete. Accessit rerum & uerborum locupletissimus index.
    PAUSANIAS

    DE TOTA GRACIA LIBRI DECEM, quibus non solum urbium situs, locorumq[ue] interualla accuratè est complexus, sed regum etiam familias, bellorum causas & euentus, sacrorum ritus, rerumpub. status copiose descripsit: hactenus à nemine in linguam Latinam conuersi, nuncq[ue] primùm in lucem editi / Abrahamo Loeschero interprete. Accessit rerum & uerborum locupletissimus index. [Description of Greece - Ten Books on All of Greece, in which not only the positions of cities and the distances between places are accurately set forth, but also the dynasties of kings, the causes and outcomes of wars, the rites of religion, and the conditions of states are copiously described: hitherto translated into no language, and now for the first time published in Latin, by Abraham Loescher as interpreter. A most ample index of things and words is added.]

    Per Ioannem Oporinum.|Basilae [Basel] • (Bâle) [Basel] 1550|21.50 x 33.50 cm|relié

    First edition of the famous translation by Abraham Loesher, the best and most faithful edition according to Clavier. The editio princeps of this text dates from 1516, printed by the Aldine Press in Venice, but according to Brunet (IV, 454), although rare, it was made from a poor manuscript and was executed carelessly, which gives full importance to the edition we present. Publication date in colophon. Printer's device on verso of final leaf, with the inscription Arion. Historiated initials.
    Contemporary full calf binding. Spine with raised bands restored at the end of the 19th century, with fleurons and roulettes on the bands, red morocco title label. Corners restored. On the upper...

    €1,100
  7. Octavius, Cum integris omnium Notis ac Commentariis, novâque Recensione Jacobi Ouzelii. Cujus et accedunt Animadversiones. Accedit praeterea liber Julii Firmici Materni V.C. De errore profanarum religionum
    Felix Marcus MINUCIUS

    Octavius, Cum integris omnium Notis ac Commentariis, novâque Recensione Jacobi Ouzelii. Cujus et accedunt Animadversiones. Accedit praeterea liber Julii Firmici Materni V.C. De errore profanarum religionum

    Joannes Maire,|Leiden • (Leyde) [Leiden] 1652|15.50 x 20.50 cm|relié
    First edition. The text of Minucius, Octavius, was first published in 1560, but not in its definitive form given here by Jacques Oisel. Numerous quotations and remarks in Greek. A large title vignette signed Dalen. Red and black title page.

    Contemporary full granulated brown sheep binding. Decorated raised band spine. Headcaps worn. Joint cracked at head. Lack to one border.

    Felix Minutius (second half of the 2nd century AD) is one of the first, if not the first of the Latin Christian apologists. He is exclusively known as the author of the present text Octavius, an apology for Christianity in the form of a dialogue between a pagan and a Christian (recalling Cicero's...
    €500
  8. L'oeuvre de Pétrone. Le Satyricon
    PÉTRONE, Louis de LANGLE

    L'oeuvre de Pétrone. Le Satyricon

    Bibliothèque des Curieux|Paris 1914|14.50 x 23 cm|broché
    New edition of the French translation, complete, established by Louis de Langle.
    Introduction and notes by the same.
    Work ornated with 8 illustrations hors-texte.
    Some light foxing affecting the endpapers and edges.
    €20
  9. Q. Horatius Flaccus, ex recensione & cum notis atque emendationibus Richardi Bentleii
    HORACE [Quintus Horatius Flaccus]

    Q. Horatius Flaccus, ex recensione & cum notis atque emendationibus Richardi Bentleii

    apud Rod. & Jacob. Wetstenios • Guil. Smith|Amstelaedami [Amsterdam] 1728|20 x 26.50 cm|relié
    Third edition of the works established by Richard Bentley (1662-1742), preferable to the first (Cambridge, 1711) with the notes joined to the text and Treter's index, corrected by Verburgius. A frontispiece engraved by Bernard. Title page in red and black.
    Full grained sheep binding, circa 1900 (pastiche of a contemporary binding). Spine with raised bands, decorated. Roulette between the bands. Red morocco title-label. Head worn, as are corners and edges. Numerous gatherings browned. Leaves 128 to 131, lack at bottom of page filled with restoration paper that has browned.
    Critical edition considerably annotated and commented.
    Numerous manuscript notes in black ink by the owner...
    €300
  10. Pensées de Platon. Texte grec. Platonis eclogae. De deo, de homine, de legibus
    PLATON

    Pensées de Platon. Texte grec. Platonis eclogae. De deo, de homine, de legibus

    Ex typis Augusti Delalain|Lutetiae Parisiorum [Paris] • (Paris) 1823|12 x 20 cm|relié
    Second edition.
    Contemporary half cloth. Bluish paper boards. Title label, with lack. Corners slightly bumped.
    Ex exergue: this work has been adopted for rhetoric and humanities classes by the public instruction commission. Decree of November 13, 1818.
    €120
  11. L'Eneide
    VIRGILE, Luciano VISCHI

    L'Eneide

    Casa editrice G.B. Petrini di Giovanni Gallizio|Torino [Turin] 1909|13.50 x 20.50 cm|broché
    First edition of L. Vischi's adaptation with no mention of deluxe copies.
    Autograph inscription signed by Virgilio in Italian to the symbolist poet André-Ferdinand Hérold.
    €80
  12. Satire de Pétrone, chevalier romain, suivie de Considérations sur la Matrone d'Ephèse, et d'un conte chinois sur le même sujet
    PÉTRONE

    Satire de Pétrone, chevalier romain, suivie de Considérations sur la Matrone d'Ephèse, et d'un conte chinois sur le même sujet

    Bertrandet|Paris • & Avignon 1803|13.50 x 22.50 cm|2 volumes reliés

    New edition of the French translation established by an anonymous translator.


    Bradel bindings in full embossed mint green paper boards, smooth spines with small traces of rubbing, orange sheep title labels, navy sheep volume labels, tears to headcaps, some surface wear to boards, corners bumped, contemporary bindings.
    Some light foxing of no consequence.


    Rare edition.

    €250
  14. Scholia antiqua in sophoclis Oedipum tyrannum
    Petrus ELMSLEY, SOPHOCLE

    Scholia antiqua in sophoclis Oedipum tyrannum

    C. H. F. Hartmann|Lipsiae [Leipzig] • (Leipsig) [Leipzig] 1826|13 x 21 cm|relié
    Noted as third edition.
    Contemporary full speckled brown paper boards. Red title-label. Rubbing.
    Text in Greek and notes in Latin. Study and work on the Scholia, or philological commentaries on Sophocles' play Oedipus Rex. The scholia of ancient texts have always been a precious source of information, they were most often written in the margins or between the lines. The authors generally remained anonymous.
    €100
  15. Les homelies d'Asterius
    Turcius Rufius Apronianus ASTERIUS, François MAUCROY

    Les homelies d'Asterius

    Chez Denys Thierry|à Paris 1695|8.50 x 15 cm|relié
    First edition. Translation by François de Maucroy.
    Contemporary full glazed calf binding. Decorated spine with raised bands. Headcaps restored.
    Asterius or Saint Astere was bishop of Amasie, in Pontus, in the 4th century; we have remaining from him sermons and homilies. The 5 homilies present in this work concern avarice, wealth, and whether it is permitted to leave one's wife for any cause whatsoever. François de Maucroy was a friend of La Fontaine, and the latter submitted everything he wrote to him; likewise, there exist manuscript leaves on La Fontaine's appreciation of this work by Maucroy. An article from 1931 mounted on the front endpaper recounts the history of the...
    €300
  16. De l'âme
    CASSIODORE

    De l'âme

    Rouquette|Paris 1874|10 x 15 cm|broché
    New edition and French translation established by Stéphane de Rouville.
    Minor worming to boards.
    €70
  17. Le satyricon
    PÉTRONE

    Le satyricon

    Bibliothèque des Curieux|Paris 1923|14.50 x 23 cm|broché
    New edition, complete, of the French translation, established by Louis Le Langle.
    Introduction and notes by the same. Work adorned with 8 illustrations hors-texte.
    Spine and boards marginally faded.
    €30
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