Aethicus Ister. ( 16th C. Latin Cosmography ) Simler ( Simmler ), Josias

Aethici Cosmographia. Antonii Avgvsti ( Augusti ). Itinerarium Provinciaru M. Ex. Bibliotheca P. Pithoei, Cum Scholiis Iosiae Simleri. Quæ His Addita Sunt, Sequenti Pagina Indicantur

      1575. Bound in Original Vellum. Bookplate of Lewis Austin Storrs. Quite good condition. 12mo. [32] 353, [133] pages. (A duplicate sale copy from the British Museum in 1818). Originally had been written in the 8th century, possibly by Virgil of Salzburg, and is thought to be a practical joke by Virgil against Boniface (also known as the Apostle of the Germans, martyred in 754 A. D. ). It has been suggested that the mysterious Latin cosmological writer who called himself "Æthicus Ister" was St. Virgil, but there is no proof of this. The name "Aethicus" probably is a pseudonym. Medieval Latin literature studies seem to indicate a very strong Irish influence in this 16th c. Latin Cosmography work. One Source portrays AETHICUS ( = ETHICUS) ISTER, "the philosopher of Istria, " the supposed but unknown author of a description of the world written in Greek. An abridgment, under the title of Cosmo-graphia Ethici, written in barbarous Latin, and wrongly described as the work of St Jerome, probably belongs to the 7th century. After a discussion of the creation of the world and a description of the earth, an account of the wonderful journeys of Aethicus is given, with digressions on various subjects, such as Alexander the Great and the kings of Rome, full of obscure and fabulous details. -Some of the many contributors of this work were Aethicus, Claudius Rutilius Namatianus, Antonius Augustinus, Vibius Sequester, Josias Simmler, Joannes Balassa de Gyarmath, Thomas Guarin, Pierre Pithon; Translated by Thomas Guarin; Contributor Joannes Balassa de Gyarmath, Pierre Pithon; and Published by T. Guarinus, 1575.; 12mo; [32] 353, [133] pages.