Vellum
1774 · Venezia
by Lattanzio, L. Cecilio Firmiano
Venezia: Lorenzo Baseggio, 1774. Vellum. Octavo. 16, cxiv pp. (4)pp. catalog. illustrated with notes, enriched by the author's life and now for the first time popularized. Lattanzio was born in Africa from a pagan family in the middle of the Third Century A.D. He was a pupil of Arnobius Sicca and was brought under the Diocletian perseceution though hidden for several years until honored by Constantine in 317. Using Cicero as a model, he wrote a number of works but it is the De Moribus Persecutorum which is ended for he creates a Christian historiography that shows how there was retribution to those who persecuted the Church beginning with Nero and extending to Diocletian. Pico Della Mirandola called him "Cicero Christian". His major work was De Mortibus Persecutorum which shows the emperors into persecutors and those who tolerated Christianity. The former found the wrath of god in their lifetime. OCLC reports 3 copies in Italian libraries.Truly a scarce item bound in full vellum, title to spine in brown ink, edges speckled red, two armorial bookplates, one of aloisii marsuzi jacobi f. and another deaccessioned from New Haven Colony Historical Society, tiny splits to upper joints at head, early owner's name to title page, stain to title page. A very good clean copy.
(Inventory #: 012102)