PINDAR,
Olympia, Pythia, Nemea, Isthmia. Cæterorum octo lyricorum carmina.
Geneva, Henri Estienne, 1586.
2 parts in 1 volume, 12mo. 414 p., 1 blank leaf; 300 p., 2 blank leaves (signatures: a-z8, Aa-Cc8, A-T8).18th-century citron morocco binding, triple gilt fillet frame on the boards, spine with raised bands and gilt decorations, caramel-colored title label, gilt inner dentelles, gilt edges (corners bumped, light rubbing on boards and spine, small tear on pp. 23-24, scattered light foxing). Dimensions: 12.4 x 5.5 cm.
First and only edition of Pindar edited by Henri Estienne to include notes by Isaac Casaubon, who had recently married Estienne’s daughter, Florence. The volume presents the Greek text alongside a facing Latin translation. Henri Estienne had previously published editions of Pindar in 1560 and 1566. The second part includes the poems of eight other Greek lyric poets: Alcaeus, Sappho, Stesichorus, Ibycus, Anacreon, Bacchylides, Simonides, and Alcman.
Annotated by an 18th-century reader, who added numerous elegant notes, primarily in red ink. This reader was likely responsible for the citron morocco binding.
The annotator highlights rare words (e.g., metempsychosis, p. 26) and notes errors, such as in the title of Ode XIII: “There is an error in the title” (p. 96). He provides Latin notes clarifying points of mythology or obscure references: one entry discusses Cadmus, the legendary founder of Thebes (p. 143), another addresses Minyas, son of Neptune (p. 152). He explains the toponym Orchomenos in Boeotia and notes the existence of other cities with the same name in Macedonian Thessaly (Orchomenus Boeotia civitas, Orchomenus autem Minyae filius fuit. Plures aliae ejus nominis sunt urbes in Thessalia Macedonia, p. 106).
The annotator also sheds light on certain passages, such as athletic contests like the Pythian or Delphic Games (p. 108), and adds Latin translations of Pindar (p. 109). Occasionally, he includes French notes, for example: “His brother and he won prizes at the Isthmian and Pythian Games” (Son frère & lui ont remporté les prix à l’istme & aux jeux Pythiques, Ode 2, p. 24).
A beautiful Greek printing, elegantly bound and annotated.
Offered by Librairie Nicolas Malais
$1250
To purchase, contact librairiemalais@yahoo.fr
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