Antiquarian Books and Manuscripts

Antiquarian Books and Manuscripts

View full screen - View 1 of Lot 147. Homer, Iliads and Odysses, translated by Hobbes, London, 1676, contemporary calf.

Homer, Iliads and Odysses, translated by Hobbes, London, 1676, contemporary calf

Lot Closed

June 15, 03:30 PM GMT

Estimate

1,000 - 1,500 GBP

Lot Details

Description

Homer


Homers Iliads in English; Homers Odysses [both translated by Thomas Hobbes]. London: James Cottrell for William Crook, 1676 & 1675


2 parts in one volume, 12mo (154 x 84mm.), errata to the Odyssey bound opposite the title-page, contemporary mottled calf, paper spine label (chipped), Aa4 cut with slight loss, binding slightly rubbed and cracked


FIRST EDITIONS of Hobbes's translations from Homer, completed at the end of his life when censorship meant he no longer had other means of expressing his views in print; it has been opined that his Homer continued with the arguments of Leviathan. Hobbes adapted his translations to express his thoughts on the rightful place of kings; for example, he shows Agamemnon as a more worthy king than Homer had depicted him. Hobbes also sought to downplay the influence of classical texts on contemporary political philosophy, which he thought had caused his contemporaries to challenge the established order.


LITERATURE:

Wing H2550 & H2556


PROVENANCE:

D.L. Cumming, signature on inside front cover