Quintus Ennius - Fragmenta quae supersunt ab Hieron. Columna conquisita disposita et explicata ad Joannem Filium - 1707

Very rare edition (the best) of Ennius's fragments, published in Amsterdam in 1707.
Quintus Ennius (239-169 BC) was one of the founders of Latin literature. He translated several Greek works and wrote an epic in verse about the history of Rome from its origins to his time – the 'Annales' – which inspired Virgil.

The first general collection of Ennius's fragments was published in: 'Fragmenta veterum Poetarum Latinorum' by Robert and Henry Stephens, Paris, 1564.

This Amsterdam edition from 1707 is based on the Naples edition published in 1590 (Hieronymus Columna). Although it contains no part of the 'Evemero,' it is enriched with numerous additions, including comments by Martin Antonio Delrio (1551-1608) and Gerardus Joannes Voss (1577-1649); it is currently the best edition of the collected fragments. (William Smith, Dictionary of Greek and Roman Biography and Mythology, vol. 2, p. 19).

It is illustrated with an engraved title. Beautiful title page printed in black and red.

Ivory vellum from the period. Handwritten title on the back in ink. - Very well-preserved binding. Pages slightly yellowed, with fine foxing. Good condition.

Provenance: heraldic ex-libris of A. Estignard.

Quintus Ennius

Remaining fragments from Hieron. Columna, arranged and explained for Joannem Filium. Now for the Neapolitan edition of 1590, carefully revised by Francisco Hesselio. In addition to the corrections gathered from learned men everywhere, it includes the opinions of M. A. Delrii, as well as the corrections and notes of G. J. Vossii on the Fragments of Ennius's Tragedies; as well as an index of all Ennian words.

Amsterdam, Wetstein, 1707

in-8 (20.5 x 16 cm); (14)f. 454pp. 1f.