1579 - Influence of Hermetic Philosophy on Christian Theology
Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius, often referred to as the "Christian Cicero," was a prominent early Christian author and apologist. Born around 250 AD in North Africa, he rose to become an advisor to the Roman Emperor Constantine I, playing a pivotal role in shaping early Christian policy. Lactantius is renowned for his eloquent defense of Christianity and his efforts to reconcile Christian teachings with classical philosophy. Lactantius's writings, characterized by their clear prose and reasoned arguments, sought to demonstrate the rationality and truth of Christianity to a skeptical world.
This volume includes the Institutiones Divinae ("The Divine Institutes"), which is his most important work. It is an apologetic treatise intended to establish the reasonableness and truth of Christianity to pagan critics. Lactantius was well-versed in classical philosophy and engaged with various schools of thought, including Neoplatonism. These writings provide valuable context for understanding the philosophical landscape of his time and the ongoing dialogue between Christianity and other philosophical traditions, including Stoicism, Hermeticism and Gnosticism. This book is a beautiful copy from the 16th century, unusually well preserved. It also has an interesting “chew mark” on the back cover that we suspect is the work of an especially learned renaissance-era rodent.
1579. L. Coelii Lactantii Firmiani [Lucius Lactantius]. Diuinaru Institutionu LIB.VII. De ira Dei LIB.I De Opificio Dei LIB.I Epitome in libros suos, Liber acephalos. Carmen from: Phoenice. Resurrectione dominica. Passionate Domini. Omnia ex fide § authoritate librorum manuscriptum emendata. Lugduni, Apud Johannem Tornaesium, Typog. Regium. 785 pp., [XIII] Index. 12.5x8.5cm. Brown calfskin binding, spine with 4 raised bands, small gilt irons in the boxes, gold cartouche stamped on the covers. Golden framing net on the boards. Red slices. Friction, normal wear on corners (a little tapped, one cap trimmed) and borders. Back with wear from use, a tear and a small lack of leather at the tail of a bit. Satisfactory interior, with a religious congregation stamp "Grand Séminaire, Bibliothèque, Caen", a handwritten text in pen (period) on the flyleaf, some annotations in the margins, in pen (period), interior in good general condition.
Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius, often referred to as the "Christian Cicero," was a prominent early Christian author and apologist. Born around 250 AD in North Africa, he rose to become an advisor to the Roman Emperor Constantine I, playing a pivotal role in shaping early Christian policy. Lactantius is renowned for his eloquent defense of Christianity and his efforts to reconcile Christian teachings with classical philosophy. Lactantius's writings, characterized by their clear prose and reasoned arguments, sought to demonstrate the rationality and truth of Christianity to a skeptical world.
This volume includes the Institutiones Divinae ("The Divine Institutes"), which is his most important work. It is an apologetic treatise intended to establish the reasonableness and truth of Christianity to pagan critics. Lactantius was well-versed in classical philosophy and engaged with various schools of thought, including Neoplatonism. These writings provide valuable context for understanding the philosophical landscape of his time and the ongoing dialogue between Christianity and other philosophical traditions, including Stoicism, Hermeticism and Gnosticism. This book is a beautiful copy from the 16th century, unusually well preserved. It also has an interesting “chew mark” on the back cover that we suspect is the work of an especially learned renaissance-era rodent.
1579. L. Coelii Lactantii Firmiani [Lucius Lactantius]. Diuinaru Institutionu LIB.VII. De ira Dei LIB.I De Opificio Dei LIB.I Epitome in libros suos, Liber acephalos. Carmen from: Phoenice. Resurrectione dominica. Passionate Domini. Omnia ex fide § authoritate librorum manuscriptum emendata. Lugduni, Apud Johannem Tornaesium, Typog. Regium. 785 pp., [XIII] Index. 12.5x8.5cm. Brown calfskin binding, spine with 4 raised bands, small gilt irons in the boxes, gold cartouche stamped on the covers. Golden framing net on the boards. Red slices. Friction, normal wear on corners (a little tapped, one cap trimmed) and borders. Back with wear from use, a tear and a small lack of leather at the tail of a bit. Satisfactory interior, with a religious congregation stamp "Grand Séminaire, Bibliothèque, Caen", a handwritten text in pen (period) on the flyleaf, some annotations in the margins, in pen (period), interior in good general condition.
Lucius Caecilius Firmianus Lactantius, often referred to as the "Christian Cicero," was a prominent early Christian author and apologist. Born around 250 AD in North Africa, he rose to become an advisor to the Roman Emperor Constantine I, playing a pivotal role in shaping early Christian policy. Lactantius is renowned for his eloquent defense of Christianity and his efforts to reconcile Christian teachings with classical philosophy. Lactantius's writings, characterized by their clear prose and reasoned arguments, sought to demonstrate the rationality and truth of Christianity to a skeptical world.
This volume includes the Institutiones Divinae ("The Divine Institutes"), which is his most important work. It is an apologetic treatise intended to establish the reasonableness and truth of Christianity to pagan critics. Lactantius was well-versed in classical philosophy and engaged with various schools of thought, including Neoplatonism. These writings provide valuable context for understanding the philosophical landscape of his time and the ongoing dialogue between Christianity and other philosophical traditions, including Stoicism, Hermeticism and Gnosticism. This book is a beautiful copy from the 16th century, unusually well preserved. It also has an interesting “chew mark” on the back cover that we suspect is the work of an especially learned renaissance-era rodent.
1579. L. Coelii Lactantii Firmiani [Lucius Lactantius]. Diuinaru Institutionu LIB.VII. De ira Dei LIB.I De Opificio Dei LIB.I Epitome in libros suos, Liber acephalos. Carmen from: Phoenice. Resurrectione dominica. Passionate Domini. Omnia ex fide § authoritate librorum manuscriptum emendata. Lugduni, Apud Johannem Tornaesium, Typog. Regium. 785 pp., [XIII] Index. 12.5x8.5cm. Brown calfskin binding, spine with 4 raised bands, small gilt irons in the boxes, gold cartouche stamped on the covers. Golden framing net on the boards. Red slices. Friction, normal wear on corners (a little tapped, one cap trimmed) and borders. Back with wear from use, a tear and a small lack of leather at the tail of a bit. Satisfactory interior, with a religious congregation stamp "Grand Séminaire, Bibliothèque, Caen", a handwritten text in pen (period) on the flyleaf, some annotations in the margins, in pen (period), interior in good general condition.