PSELLUS Michael / ΨΕΛΛΟΣ Μιχαήλ, Ludwig Heinrich Teucher (ed.), François Bosquet (ed.), Cornelius Sieben (ed.), “Synopsis legum, versibus iambis et politicis cum latina interpretatione et notis Francisci Bosquet…”, Lipsiae, apud Guilielmum Gotlobum Sommerum, 1789. 8vo, pp. 144. Text in original Greek, preface & notes in Latin. Half calf with title on spine on red morocco strip. Light external rubbing, interior in very fine condition.

Michael Psellus has written this manual on Byzantine laws between 1060 and 1070 for the young Byzantine emperor Michael Ducas. The manual written in verse, to make it easier to remember and to present legal concepts in a simplified form.

Rare edition of Michael Psellus’ «Του σοφωτάτου Μιχαήλ του Ψελλού και υπερτίμου Σύνοψις των νόμων διά στίχων ιάμβων και πολιτικών προς τον βασιλέα κύριν Μιχαήλ τον Δούκαν» (manuscript at “Koventarios” Municipal Library of Kozani  / Κοβεντάρειος Δημοτική Βιβλιοθήκη Κοζάνης”). Based on the 1632 edition of François Bosquet, the original text in Greek has been edited and annotated by Cornelius Sieben & Ludwig Heinrich Teucher. Very few pieces tracked offered in sales the last decade.

Brunet IV 947, Graesse V 496.