Hieronymus Wolf - Svidae - 1564

Suda – First Latin Translation by Hieronymus Wolf, Basel, 16th Century

Description

A rare 16th-century edition of the Suda, the monumental Byzantine encyclopaedia compiled in Greek in Constantinople during the 10th century. Containing approximately 30,000 entries on history, geography, biographies, mythology, literature and many other subjects, the Suda is one of the most important surviving works of Byzantine scholarship.

The work is traditionally also referred to as Suida, although Suda is generally considered the correct original form of the title.

This edition

This volume contains the Latin translation by the German humanist Hieronymus Wolf (Hieronymus Volfius), one of the leading Renaissance scholars of Byzantine literature.

The work was printed in Basel by Johannes Oporinus and Herwagen, among the most important printing houses of the Renaissance. Oporinus was responsible for numerous significant scholarly and scientific publications of the period.

The first edition of Wolf’s Latin translation appeared in 1564, followed by later editions.

Printer’s device

The title page features the characteristic printer’s device associated with Johannes Oporinus, depicting Arion riding a dolphin, together with the motto:

VIRTUTI NULLA VIA INAVIA – FATA VIAM INVENIUNT

Provenance

A contemporary handwritten ownership inscription can be seen on the title page, apparently reading:

Joannes Zaymus … 1599

This suggests that the book was already in private ownership at the end of the 16th century, adding an interesting element to its provenance.

Condition

The book is in mixed condition, consistent with its age. It shows signs of use and age-related wear, including [binding wear / foxing / browning / stains / marginal marks – please refer to photographs].

Importantly, the book is COMPLETE. All pages and leaves are present.

The photographs provide a detailed representation of the actual condition of the copy and should be considered an integral part of the description.

A fascinating Renaissance edition of a fundamental Byzantine encyclopaedia, combining an important humanist Latin translation with evidence of early ownership dating back to the 16th century.