1594 - Roman Magic and Hermetic Philosophy
Apuleius (c. 124 – c. 180 AD) was a Roman philosopher, rhetorician, and novelist. He holds a significant place in the history of esoteric and occult traditions. This volume includes the “Asclepius Trismegisti”, attributed to Apuleius at the time. The Asclepius is a central text in the Hermetic corpus, a collection of writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a syncretic figure combining elements of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. The Hermetic tradition, with its focus on cosmology, astrology, alchemy, and the pursuit of divine knowledge, is one of the most important influences on Western esoteric thought.
This volume also includes Apuleius’ most renowned work The Golden Ass; a unique blend of satire, adventure, and religious allegory. It recounts the tribulations of a man transformed into a donkey by witchcraft. The Golden Ass was one of Gustave Flaubert's favorite books. Flaubert once wrote: "This book is a masterpiece. … It smells of incense and urine, bestiality is combined with mysticism, we are still very far from that, the rest of us, as moral philanderers." (Gustave Flaubert, La Bêtise, art and life, Complexe ed., p. 85).
This 1594 edition of Apuleius’ Complete Works includes important notes by Pierre Colvius and was corrected by Bonaventura Vulcanius. This is a book of the greatest rarity from the great Plantin Press.
1594. Apuleius. Opera Omnia quae exstant [Complete Works]. Leiden: Plantin Press. Plantin mark engraved on wood on the title page. 383 pp. Later binding (early 19th century) in half-leather, smooth spine decorated with gilded irons. Very good state. Blue silk bookmark placed on p. 101. Corners of the dishes a little damaged. Fresh interior, slightly yellowed paper.
Apuleius (c. 124 – c. 180 AD) was a Roman philosopher, rhetorician, and novelist. He holds a significant place in the history of esoteric and occult traditions. This volume includes the “Asclepius Trismegisti”, attributed to Apuleius at the time. The Asclepius is a central text in the Hermetic corpus, a collection of writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a syncretic figure combining elements of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. The Hermetic tradition, with its focus on cosmology, astrology, alchemy, and the pursuit of divine knowledge, is one of the most important influences on Western esoteric thought.
This volume also includes Apuleius’ most renowned work The Golden Ass; a unique blend of satire, adventure, and religious allegory. It recounts the tribulations of a man transformed into a donkey by witchcraft. The Golden Ass was one of Gustave Flaubert's favorite books. Flaubert once wrote: "This book is a masterpiece. … It smells of incense and urine, bestiality is combined with mysticism, we are still very far from that, the rest of us, as moral philanderers." (Gustave Flaubert, La Bêtise, art and life, Complexe ed., p. 85).
This 1594 edition of Apuleius’ Complete Works includes important notes by Pierre Colvius and was corrected by Bonaventura Vulcanius. This is a book of the greatest rarity from the great Plantin Press.
1594. Apuleius. Opera Omnia quae exstant [Complete Works]. Leiden: Plantin Press. Plantin mark engraved on wood on the title page. 383 pp. Later binding (early 19th century) in half-leather, smooth spine decorated with gilded irons. Very good state. Blue silk bookmark placed on p. 101. Corners of the dishes a little damaged. Fresh interior, slightly yellowed paper.
Apuleius (c. 124 – c. 180 AD) was a Roman philosopher, rhetorician, and novelist. He holds a significant place in the history of esoteric and occult traditions. This volume includes the “Asclepius Trismegisti”, attributed to Apuleius at the time. The Asclepius is a central text in the Hermetic corpus, a collection of writings attributed to Hermes Trismegistus, a syncretic figure combining elements of the Greek god Hermes and the Egyptian god Thoth. The Hermetic tradition, with its focus on cosmology, astrology, alchemy, and the pursuit of divine knowledge, is one of the most important influences on Western esoteric thought.
This volume also includes Apuleius’ most renowned work The Golden Ass; a unique blend of satire, adventure, and religious allegory. It recounts the tribulations of a man transformed into a donkey by witchcraft. The Golden Ass was one of Gustave Flaubert's favorite books. Flaubert once wrote: "This book is a masterpiece. … It smells of incense and urine, bestiality is combined with mysticism, we are still very far from that, the rest of us, as moral philanderers." (Gustave Flaubert, La Bêtise, art and life, Complexe ed., p. 85).
This 1594 edition of Apuleius’ Complete Works includes important notes by Pierre Colvius and was corrected by Bonaventura Vulcanius. This is a book of the greatest rarity from the great Plantin Press.
1594. Apuleius. Opera Omnia quae exstant [Complete Works]. Leiden: Plantin Press. Plantin mark engraved on wood on the title page. 383 pp. Later binding (early 19th century) in half-leather, smooth spine decorated with gilded irons. Very good state. Blue silk bookmark placed on p. 101. Corners of the dishes a little damaged. Fresh interior, slightly yellowed paper.