Libri de re rustica M. Catonis, M. Terentii Varronis, M. Iunii Moderati Columelle, Palladii Rutilii : quorum summam pagina sequens indicabit [avec] Macrobii Aurelii Theodosii Viri consularis, in Somnium Scipionis M. Tulii Ciceronis Libri duo, Et Saturnaliorum Lib. VII. Cum scholiis & indicibus Ascensianis [avec] De die Natali. Censorini opusculum, de die natali, ad Q. Cerellium

Libri de re rustica M. Catonis, M. Terentii Varronis, M. Iunii Moderati Columelle, Palladii Rutilii : quorum summam pagina sequens indicabit [with] Macrobii Aurelii Theodosii Viri consularis, in Somnium Scipionis M. Tulii Ciceronis Libri duo, Et Saturnaliorum Lib. VII. Cum scholiis & indicibus Ascensianis [with] De die Natali. Censorini opusculum, de die natali, ad Q. Cerellium
Venundantur Iodoco Badio Ascensio [Josse Bade] | [Paris] 1529 et 1524 pour les deux textes suivants | in-folio (20.5 x 31.5 cm) | A6 A8 a-t8 v6 x8 et Aa6 †4 A-O8 et Aa10 | contemporary stiff vellum
First Parisian edition of the Libri de re rustica with a frontispiece-title showing a scene in a printing house, bordered with various mythological scenes. Contemporary manuscript note to title. Handsome initials. This edition has the glossary by Giorgio Merula, the commentary by Filippo Beroaldo the Elder on the thirteen books of Columella, as well as the table by Aldus Manutius showing the length of the day and the size of shadows cast, based on Palladius. The third edition by Josse Bade for Macrobii Aurelii Theodosii Viri consularis, after those of 1515 and 1519. It is followed, with an odd pagination, by a short work by Censorinus, De die natali. Frontispiece-title repeated. Same initials as before, a large headpiece representing astronomers as well as several other vignettes and astronomical figures to text. With a very important map by Macrobius showing the climate zones .
Contemporary stiff vellum. Spine in seven compartments. Spine titled in ink in contemporary hand in first compartment and later label in second. Traces of clasps. All edges speckled red. A few contemporary underlinings and marginal annotations. A few faint dampstains and marginal tears without lack. Tear to corner without loss of text to leaf miiii of second work. A very fresh copy.
The Libri de re rustica is a collection of didactic prose texts on agriculture and rural life by the four great Classical agronomists: Cato the Elder, Varro, Columella and Palladius. The works treat the cultivation of fields and gardens, beekeeping, fishing, rural housekeeping (recipes for food and medicines), as well as sowing. These texts have traditionally been published collectively and are more scientific than literary in tone, unlike Virgil and his Georgics. These texts were regularly collectively published by the most distinguished European printing houses from 1472 until the middle of the 18th century, first in Italy – the cradle of Humanism – and later in France and Germany. In the second half of the century, separate editions came into fashion, and it was not until the second half of the 18th century that a renewed interest in agricultural affairs led to an up-tick in interest that saw these works published once more.
The second part is made up of Macrobius' famous Commentary on the Dream of Scipio, as well as the seven books of his Saturnalia, a philosophical banquet set during the eponymous period, during which twelve interlocutors hold forth on Roman history and philosophy before giving an explanation of Virgil's writings. These Saturnalia also give rise to a debate on foods and their various properties.
De die natali («On birthdays») is concerned with birth and human life, days, month and years, religious rites, and represents a wealth of important information on Classical customs. This includes how a baby's birth date was calculated, the Zodiac, Pythagoras' theory on music and the planets and their influence on the length of the gestation period. Here, life is divided into climacteric periods or years, with its upper limit being at most 80 to 100 years. Censorinus also provides a number of historical chronologies.
A fine collection of texts nicely symbolizing the renewed interest of Renaissance authors in both major and minor Classical texts, which reinforce a vision of an ideal and harmonious Rome.