HUMAN AND ANIMAL BEHAVIOR
AELIANUS, Claude [Ailianou ta heuriskomena hapanta]. = Claudii Aeliani Praenestini pontificis et sophistæ, qui Romæ sub Imperatore Antonino Pio vixit, Meliglossus aut Meliphthongus ab orationis suauitate cognominatus Opera, quæ extant, omnia. Tiguri (Switzerland): Jacob Gesner, 1556
EDITIO PRINCEPS., Folio (316 x 204 mm)., [xlviii], 655, [57] pp.
Printer's device on title and verso of final leaf. With woodcut initials, diagrams, and numerous illustrations, including a fine double-page woodcut. Greek and Latin texts in parallel columns. Later vellum; occasional text browning, otherwise a very fine copy with contemporary annotations., Editio princeps in Greek of Aelian's complete works, translated, annotated, and edited by the Swiss scholar Conrad Gesner (1516-65) and the naturalist Peter Gillius (Gallus). The work contains De animalium natura (curious and interesting stories of animal life, frequently used to convey moral lessons); Variae historiae (anecdotes of men and customs); and De militaribus ordinibus instituendis more Graecorum (with wonderful woodcuts of military formations) by Aelianus Tacticus, the Greek military writer of the second century, and first edited in Greek by Robortelli in 1552. Perhaps Gesner was confused when he included this last work in the present Opera.De animalium natura is an astonishing collection, in seventeen books, of facts and fables about the animal kingdom that invites the reader to ponder contrasts between human and animal behavior. It was a source of medieval natural history and of the bestiaries of the Middle Ages. For a delightful description of this work, see Thorndike. Varia historia is a miscellany of anecdotes and biographical sketches, lists, and descriptions of natural wonders and strange local customs in fourteen books, with many surprises. The emphasis is on various moralizing tales about heroes and rulers, athletes and wise men; reports about food and drink; different styles in dress or lovers; local habits in giving gifts or entertainments; details of religious beliefs and death customs. Here, Aelian gives us the first account of fly fishing, using lures of red wool and feathers. Claudius Aelian (ca.175-235), a Roman author and teacher, spoke Greek so perfectly that he was called honey-tongued. Although a Roman, he preferred Greek authors and wrote in Greek himself. This first edition is extremely rare (3 copies located), and the text forms the basis of all subsequent editions.
$US5500
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