BOETHIUS, Anicius Manlius

Boetius de consolatione philosophica & de disciplina Scholarium... Additum est Carmen iuvenile Sulpitti

      Lyon: Iohnnes Clein, 1515. [c.1515]. 4to. pp. [280]. p.[280 blank]. Colophon dated "nono kale[n]das Octobris" (23 Sept.). Title page printed in red and black inside woodcut architectural border. Woodcut printer's device (Sylvestre 132). Printed in Roman font with the surrounding commentaries printed in Gothic. Text contains decorative initials. Bound in contemporary blind stamped paneled calf boards; re-backed preserving original spine. Later antique endpapers with inscription on front-free endpaper dated "1925"; front and rear blank fly-leaves worn. Pages are generally clean with occasional marginalia in an old hand (i.e. several small inscriptions written on the title page); minor spotting; lower corner of leaf c7 clipped in margin;. The hinges and inner margins to the first gathering are neatly strengthened / repaired. The outer edges to this same gathering show some wear - i.e. a few marginal tears (sealed), and light soiling. The bottom margins on conjugate leaves a2 and a7 are trimmed about !" (12 mm). Anicius Manlius Boethius (480-524) was a late Roman philosopher and statesman. He became embroiled in a plot against Theodoric, the Ostrogothic ruler of Rome, and was eventually executed. Boethius wrote his most famous work, the "Consolation of Philosophy," while awaiting his fate in prison. The five sections discuss the capriciousness of fortune, the influence of good and evil, and the nature of God's control over the universe (i.e. free will, providence and fate). The work employs the Platonic notion of an ascent of the soul to the Godhead through a process of contemplation and reflection. The imagery is predominately pagan; however, the author himself was strongly influenced by Christian thought. Boethius's work was immensely influential throughout the middle ages. Commentaries are provided by Josse Badius (1462-1535) and Thomas Wallensis (the latter wrongly ascribed to Thomas Aquinas). The "Ascensio explanato" has separate signatures and divisional title page. [Adams B-2290; BM STC French, p. 73; Renouard, Josse Badius II, 213; Baudrier XII, p. 268].