Classical literature
Cesaretti Library
Ancient texts in Greek and Latin
The classical literature section is dedicated to works of the Greek and Latin tradition which form the foundations of Western culture. Ancient texts, annotated editions and historical translations allow us to approach a literary heritage of universal value, fundamental for the study of philosophy, history and literature.
Quintus Ennius
Author: Jerome Colonna
Q. Ennii poete vetustissimi quae supersunt fragmenta ab Hieronimo Columna conquisita, disposita et explicata, ad Ioannem filium Salviani. In-4th; (8), XVI, pp. 26, cc. 27-30, pp. 31-304, (5), 306-505, (1), cc (20), 1 cb; 2 errata cards often not present.
Bound in contemporary full parchment, with handwritten title on the spine. (Endpapers renewed).
Small restoration on the title page and small stains especially on the first pages, small water stain on the lower margin of a few pages, light browning, but a truly excellent copy.
Complete original edition (a partial first edition was recorded in 1585).
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Girolamo Colonna (Naples 1534-1586) "is in fact linked to this work, because many scholars of Ennius, at least until the nineteenth century, held it in high regard, always appreciating and praising the editor's critical skills" (DBI ad vocem). The highly erudite work published posthumously by his son Giovanni is the only one that remains from this highly cultured scholar, also the father of Fabio, a member of the Lyncean School. With a letter from the author to his son, and fragments divided into four books, including the annals, the comedies, the tragedies, Euhemerus or sacred history, and a biography of the Latin poet.
Quintus Ennius (239-169 BC) is often called the father of Roman poetry. Although only fragments of his works survive, his influence—especially as a mediator of Greek literature—on Latin literature is considerable: unlike Naevius' Saturnianus, he favored the dactylic hexameter, which he made common in Latin epic poetry.
Fifth
Author: Horace Flaccus
The Delightful Sermons, otherwise Satires, and Moral Epistles of Horatio, together with the Poetics. Adapted by Lodovico Dolce from the Latin poem into blank verse in the vernacular. Venice, Gabriel Giolito de Ferrari, 1559. in-8, pp. 318, (1 with typographical device on the recto).
A small typographical device at the title, a large one at the end, numerous historiated initials and woodcut decorations. The translator's dedication to the nobleman Bernardino Ferrario from Pavia; Dolce's Life of Horace follows, and some of Dolce's short writings can be read at the end: "Origin of Satire, Discourse on Satires, on the Epistles, and on Poetics." The first Italian translation of Horace's Sermons and Epistles, while Dolce had already published Poetics in 1535 and 1536 (see Bongi II, 69).
Truly excellent conditions both of the binding and internally.
The Work of Prayer
Author: Horace Flaccus
The works of Orazio, the lyric poet, commented by Giovanni Fabrini da Fighine in the Tuscan vernacular, with order: the vernacular and the Latin commentary; and the Latin and the vernacular commentary, both languages explaining each other. In Veneto, published by Gio. Battista, Marchio Sessa, et fratelli, 1573.
In 4°, binding in full modern parchment with titles and decorations in gold and coats of arms of the Sanminiatelli family on the cover. Cc. (4)-389. Errors in the numbering of the leaves; woodcut initials and decorations. On leaf 3 dedication by Giovanni Fabrini to Giovanni Francesco Ridolfi and to Iacopo Borgianni.
Some light staining and browning, red edges. Some glosses in the text.
More than good copy.
The Comedies of Terence
Author: Publius Terentius Afer
Again in Latin in the vernacular translated with the grace and privilege of the illustrious Venetian Senate
The comedies of Terentius are finished, stamped in Venice by maestro Bernardino Vidale, at the request of M. Jacob da Borgofrancho, of the month of July MDXXXII 1533.
Excellent and solid full parchment from the 17th centuryTitle on the spine. CC. 171, 1 c. with an attractive printer's device. Beautiful woodcut illustrated frontispiece. Text in elegant italics.
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This is the first vernacular edition of the comedies, translated by GB da Borgofrancho, reprinted many times. Very rare, missing from ADAMS. See the very long note in ARGELATI "VOLGARIZZATORI" IV p. 37, where the translator is discussed and doubted. Some very slight staining in the margins of a few leaves, a small stain on the title page, but a very fine copy. FEDERICI "SCRITTORI LATINI" p. 13; HAYM 339/11; BM. STC. 665; PAITONI IV 105; BRUNET V723; GRAESSE VII 67. On the front flyleaf, a noble ex libris. ICCU records only 12 copies present in Italian libraries.
Dione
Author: Dio Cassius
Anditer: With its illustrations in each book, a work newly brought to light, no longer printed in any language. by Nicolò d'Aristotile of Ferrara called Zoppino 1533 of the month of March (in the colophon), in Venice
Historian of the Wars & Deeds of the Romans: Translated from Greek into the Vulgar Tongue by M. Nicolo Leoniceno.
Old full parchment binding, handwritten title on the spine, Interior in excellent condition, only a small repair to the white margin of the last 3 leaves, and a small stain on the first ones.
Beautiful copy.
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First edition of the vernacular translation of the work of the Greek-speaking Roman historian and politician Dio Cassius Cocceianus (155-235 AD), a fundamental source for the history of the Roman Empire. Adams, D-511; Essling II, p. 600. 8vo (21 cm), 6 cc.nn., CCLXXXII pp. with a small portrait of the author and 22 woodcut illustrations in the text. Title page within a richly illustrated frame.
Greater Cat
By the author: Cicero to Titus Atticus
Publisher: Paris Vaenundatur in the Officina Ascensiana, January 1530
On which the same book of Letters XIV, sent to you by Cato the Elder, is to be read to me often, for old age makes me more bitter. And the commentaries of F. Sylvius Ambiani (François Dubois) on the same, now enlarged and revised.
1 Volume in 4°, binding in early parchment with title manoscritto al dorso. Tutte le opere sono complete ed in ottimo stato di conservazione, solo qualche carta brunita nell'ultima opera.
A beautiful set of opere molto rare.
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Cc.nn.6, XCIIII. LEGATO WITH: MTCicéronis ad MTOorator Illustratus Iacobi Lodoïci Rhemi commentariis Parisiis MDXXXVI Apud Michaelem Vascosanum ,in Vico D.Jacobi ,sub signo Fontis : Cum gratiae privilegio in triennum Au colophon Typis imprimebat Michael Vascosanus Lutetia anno MDXXXVI tertio Ides Iulii. Pp.(cc.nn.6) CXXVII,(1c.bianca) LEGATO WITH: RUTILIO LUPO. P. Rutilii Lupi De figuris sententiarum,liber prior ex Graeco Gorgia vorsus. (Paris) Sub Prelo Ascesiano, 1528. Pp.135 (2) LEGATO WITH: Boethius, Anicius Manlius Torquatus Severinus. Duplex commentatio ex integro reposita atque recognita in Boethium (seu Boethummauis) de consolatione philosophica et de disciplina scholastica. That which is attributed to Saint Thomas Aquinas and which was recently issued by the Ascension: together with a book on the manners of serving at the table ... published by Sulpitius Verulanus. Lugd.: sold by the printers Peter Mareschal & Barnaba Chaussard ... and by the library: next to the convent of the preachers called our Lady of Comfort. (This work was printed in Lugd. together with John Sulpitius on the manners of serving at the table : by the distinguished printers Peter Mareschal & Barnaba Chaussard, on the 8th of September, 1511) Pp. ([118]; [24] c.).
The Book of Quintus Horatii Flacci
Author: Giacomo Grisoli
Publisher: Florence, Lorenzo Torrentino, 1550
Q. Horatii Flacci Liber De Arte poetica Iacobi Grifoli Lucinianefis interpretatione explicatus
Rhetoricos libros ad Herennium, ad M. Tul. Ciceronem nihil omnio pertinere per eundem declaratur
149 pp. nn. (including the last blank sheet), woodcut frontispiece with architectural frame and small view of Florence, woodcut initials.
1 volume in 4°, contemporary full parchment binding with slightly faded handwritten title on the spine.
Beautiful edition in excellent condition and large margins.
