Athenaeus of Naucratis (2nd/3rd Century AD) Athenaei Dipnosophistarum sive Coenae Sapientum Libri XV.

Description:

Athenaeus of Naucratis (2nd/3rd Century AD) Athenaei Dipnosophistarum sive Coenae Sapientum Libri XV. Basel: Henrich Petrum, Mense Augusto 1556. Octavo, Latin translation of the Greek original, The Deipnosophistae, by Natalis de Comitibus; text in a single column, elegant roman letter throughout, wide margins, contemporary parchment over boards, contemporary underlining, some stains and holes, last signature detached, 6 1/4 x 3 3/4 in.

a-b8, c10, A-Z8, Aa-Zz8 (signature Rr with leaves misbound, all present),Aaa-Zzz8, Aaaa10 (Aaaa10 blank but for colophon and printer's mark on verso present).

The surviving fifteen books of Athenaeus's Dinner Table Philosophers provide unique information regarding ancient Greek dining customs, including remarks on ancient taste in music, dance, games, court behavior and other details of the lifestyles of the wealthy classes. He also refers to almost 800 different authors, and 2,500 works. Because so many ancient texts do not survive, the Deipnosophistae contains the only reference to many works and authors otherwise lost. Book XIII contains important information regarding sexuality in classical and Hellenistic Greece.
Estimate $200-300


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