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Ambrosius Aurelius Theodosius MACROBIUS


Macrobius' 1585 edition of In Somnium Scipionis, Saturnaliorum

Published in Lyon
Published by (Apud) Ant. Gryphium
1585
16mo (book approximately 5" high by 3" by 2")
Book #AB-05
$ SOLD
 

  

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This work of Macrobius was arguably the most influential of all pre-Renaissance views of the world.  Macrobius (c.395-436 AD) was a Roman philosopher who enjoyed great popularity throughout the Middle Ages.  His neoplatonic commentary on Circero and his 'Dream of Scipio', includes, among many references to the pseudo-sciences, a geographical concept which is different from that of Ptolemy (Shirley, p. 12).  In his view, the inhabited world north of the Equator was balanced by a southern continent and divided from it by a vast equatorial sea.

The famous, modified T-O world map (on page 191) presents Macrobius' view of the world.  Simplified drawing of the three known continents of Europe, Asia, and Africa are presented on the map.  Africa is represented as an extremely flat sloping continent with an expanse of ocean below providing easy access to Asia.  The map has a gigantic antipodean, southern continent.  Placenames on the map include Britania (Britain), Europe with France, Spain, and Italy,  Africa is identified as Aphrica with Aethiopia and the Red Sea to the east.  At the extreme east is Ind/a for India.  Scandinavia is represented by Thila (Thule).  Over the map are laid zonal climate bands dervived from classical Greek cosmography.  Windheads and a floral design surround the map 

This woodblock map first appeared in the edition of Macrobius published in Brescia in 1483.  The first edition of 1472 from Venice did not contain the map. There were a number of different blocks of this map.  Reprints of Macrobius' work continued well into the 16th century.  This book is from the 1585 edition.

Previous ownership signature on first blank leaf of "Joannes Masschereell".

Collation:: 
Title page and 745 pages of text (divided into an introduction and seven books) plus a detailed Index and Autores (list of authors cited).

References: 
Shirley, Rodney W. The Mapping of the World: Early Printed Maps, 1472-1700. London: New Holland Publishers, Ltd. 1993. map #13, p. 12.
Campbell, Tony. The Earliest Printed Maps 1472-1500.  London: The British library, 1987. p. 114-117.

Condition: 
A Fine Example.  Generally clean throughout.  The map is in fine condition:  well-inked and clean with no paper repairs or other issues.  In original calf boards.  Boards are solid with no separation.  Ink title on book spine.  Evidence of leather clasps on board edges.

 

 

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