ARISTOTLE

...Physicae Libri. VIII. Joan. Argyropilo interprete, adiectis Joan. Eckii Adnotationibus & commentariis

      Large woodcut arms of the dedicatee Duke Ernst of Bavaria on title. Fine woodcut initials, illus. & diagrams throughout. Title printed in red & black. 1 p.l, CXI leaves. Folio, cont. south German blind-stamped pigskin-backed wooden boards (small blank portion of title patched at an early date, title somewhat soiled), orig. clasps & catches, upper cover stamped in black "Philosop. Naturalis Aristotel." [Augsburg: Grimm & Wirsung, 1518]. [bound with]: -- . ...Libri De Coelo. IIII. De Generatione. II. Meteororum. IIII. Argiropilo, Nypho Boetio interprete. Adiectis Eckii Commentariis. Large woodcut arms of the dedicatee Bishop Georg of Bamberg on title and numerous woodcut illus. & diagrams in the text. Final leaf with large armorial woodcut of the publisher. CXXV, [1] leaves. Folio. [Augsburg: Grimm & Wirsung, 1519]. [bound with]: -- . ...De Anima. Libri III. De sensu & sensato. Liber I. De memoria & reminiscentia Liber I. De somno & vigilia. Liber I. De longitudine & brevitate vitae. Liber I. Per Argyropilum. Ex antiqua traductione. Adiectis Eckii Commentariis. Large woodcut arms of the dedicatee Bishop Christopher of Brixen. Fine woodcut initials & several woodcut illus. in the text. [Augsburg: Grimm & Wirsung, 1520]. A magnificent sammelband in a handsome contemporary binding of three of Aristotle's chief scientific works. The editions were prepared and translated by John Argyropulus (1416-86), Greek humanist who was a very active promoter of the revival of learning in the West. Born in Constantinople, he was invited to Florence by Cosimo de' Medici, and was there appointed professor of Greek in the university. He left for Rome in 1471 where he continued to teach. He was highly esteemed as a translator of Aristotle. Johann Eck (1486-1543), best known as Luther's greatest opponent, was professor and chancellor at Ingolstadt for thirty years. He is a representative of the scholastic humanists, who were loyal supporters of the Church, while they were also eager for a revival of classical learning, and a new system of education. About 1515, the Duke of Bavaria established a commission to find means for ending the interminable strife between the rival academic parties at the University of Ingolstadt, and entrusted Eck with the preparation of fresh commentaries on Aristotle and Petrus Hispanus. These works became the standard text books of the university. The commentaries were inspired with much of the scientific spirit of the New Learning, but Eck had no sympathy with the revolutionary attitude of the Reformers (see Encyc. Brit.) . Very fine and fresh copies in a most attractive binding. Riley, Aristotle. Texts and Commentaries to 1700 in the University of Pennsylvania Library. A Catalogue, 170, 68, & 55. .