Lot 08066

OROSIUS Paulus, “Pauli Orosii presbyteri Hispani Adversus Paganos Historiarum libri septem, ut et Apologeticus contra Pelagium de arbitrii libertate. Ad fidem MSS…”, Leiden (Lugdini Batavorum), Apud Gerardum Potvliet, 1738. 4to, pp. [36], 634, [30].

Title printed in red / black ink. Printer’s device on title page. Spotting and foxing, mainly light, throughout. Handwritten text on free end-papers verso. Fine contemporary binding: Full vellum with two ruled panels the inner one with four corner-pieces framing armorial centerpiece. Spine with 5 raised bands, spine panels with fleuron designs, all tooled in gilt.

Paulus Orosius (385-418), was a Hispania-born late antique historian and Christian theologian and pupil of Augustine. The present work “Adversus Paganos” is his most famous work and was begun at Augustines suggestion. The book is a historical narration focusing on the pagan peoples from the earliest time up until the time Orosius was alive. It is based on the works of Livy, Tacitus, Suetonius, Justinus and Eutropius and considered as one of the first Christian universal history works. According to Graesse, the current 1738 edition is the most complete one, with the text based on 11 manuscripts and previous editions.

Graesse V 52.