POETAE CHRISTIANI VETERES. - PRUDENTIUS, Clemens, Aurelius

      Lyon, Balthazard de Gabiano, 1502 or 1503. With red rubrication throughout, hand-painted initials in red and blue, some quite elaborate. Printed in Italics. 265 unn. leaves (lacking last blank). 8vo. Modern leather. From the collection of Hendrik D. L. Vervliet. (Lyon, Balthazard de Gabiano, 1502 or 1503). This collection of the works of early Christian poets, edited by Aldus Pius Manutius, is a counterfeit of the Aldine edition of 1501, including his dedication. Prudentius (348- c. 413), a Roman Christian poet from Northern Spain, was influenced by early Christian authors such as Tertullian and St. Ambrose. His major works appear here, i.e. Liber Cathemerinon, Liber Peristephanon, Apotheosis, Amartigenia, Psychomachia, Liber contra Symmachum, Dittochaeum. Added are the writings by Johannes of Damascus (c. 650- c. 754), Church father, Cosmus of Jerusalem (8th cent.), Greek Christian poet, and Theophanes (758-818), abbot in Constantinople. - Lower corner torn off from p ii, old repair to lower corner of A iiii. - - STC (French) 367; Adams P-1686; Baudrier (Lyon) VII, p. 8-9; Ebert II, 18059. RELIGION / THEOLOGY ;