1584 Rare Latin vellum Book - Cicero Sayings, Aphorisms, and Moral Sentences. Philosophy.
(Description)
Author: Marcus Tullius Cicero.
Title: Sententiae Insigniores, Apophthegmata, Prapola (Parabola), seu Similia, atque eiusdem aliquot piae Sententiae.
Publisher: Coloniae, Apud Gualtherum Fabricium, & Ioanem Gymnicum, 1584.
Language: Text in Latin.
Size: 5.5" X 3".
Pages: 623 pages + Index.
Binding: Attractive and very good contemporary full vellum binding with intricate blind-stamped designs on both boards and spine. The binding shows some wear and tear, especially on the edges and corners, but is overall well-preserved given its age (hinges worn but still tight, overall worn and scuffed - as shown) under a protective removable mylar cover.
Content: Good to very good content (tight, some light foxing and staining - as shown, old ink underlinings throughout - as shown, handwritten notes on both endpapers - as shown).
Estimate: (USD 500 - USD 700)
The book: This rare and fascinating work by Marcus Tullius Cicero is a compilation of notable sayings, aphorisms, and moral sentences. Compiled by Petro Lagnerio, it includes a comprehensive index of authors and subjects. This particular edition, printed in 1584, showcases the enduring influence of Cicero's thoughts on philosophy, ethics, and rhetoric. The small format and decorative binding suggest it was intended for personal use, likely serving as a source of wisdom and reflection for its owner.
The volume also includes a section dedicated to the notable sayings and excerpts from the speeches of Demosthenes, another renowned orator and statesman from ancient Greece. This part provides additional insights into the philosophical and rhetorical traditions of the time, bridging the thoughts of Cicero and Demosthenes.
The author: Marcus Tullius Cicero (106 BC - 43 BC) was a Roman statesman, orator, lawyer, and philosopher. He is considered one of Rome's greatest orators and prose stylists. Cicero's writings on rhetoric, philosophy, and politics greatly influenced the Latin language and Western intellectual tradition. His works have been studied and revered throughout the centuries for their eloquence, depth, and insight into human nature and governance.