Firmicus Maternus, Julius | Astronomicon libri VIII, Basel, March 1533

Firmicus Maternus, Julius

Astronomicon libri VIII (ed. Nicolaus Prückner). Basel: Johannes Herwagen, March 1533

First Prückner edition of Maternus' popular fourth century A.D. Latin treatise on astrology.

This popular astrological treatise, the work of the Sicilian Scholar Julius Firmicus Maternus, first appeared in print in Venice in 1497. Nicolaus Prückner, the editor of the present (Basel) edition, was a mathematician and professor of astronomy at Tübingen. Divided into eight books, the treatise deals with effects of the Moon, planets, horoscopes, et cetera. The present edition also includes Ptolemy's Quadripartitum in additional to the Latin translation of several Greek and Arabic astrology pamphlets. Otto Brunfels' De diffinitionibus & terminis Astrologiae libellus is not to be found in this edition although it is listed on the title-page.

Folio (295 x 203 mm). Woodcut diagrams, historiated initials, final leaf with woodcut device; a few manuscript annotations in black ink, faint dampstains to a few gatherings, occasional spots, marginal wormholing throughout, some with repair. Later quarter vellum and original boards, spine label, marbled edges; foxed, spine lightly soiled.

REFERENCES

USTC 602364; VD16 F 1119