(ACHILLINI A. ed.). Secreta secretorum Aristotelis (and other works)
(Lyon) L. M(artin), 1528 8vo: white on black border to title-page; device at end of a palm-tree on which hangs a shield with the initials LM; two unicorns are supporters. Modern vellum, title-page grubby, one corner replaced and small repairs to edges; wormhole in lower margin of first gathering, a better copy than it sounds. Although now better remembered as a writer on medical subjects (see DSB), Achillini was in his time famous as a philosopher of the Peripatetic or Averroist school who lectured on both philosophy and medicine. This collection of seven quasi-scientific works was edited by Achillini and the inclusion of four pseudo-Aristotelian pieces has been 'taken as a further indication of (his) favourable attitudes towards occult science.' The pieces contained here are Secreta Secretorum; De signis aquarum, ventorum et tempestatum; De mineralibus; Alexander Apohrodisiensis, De intellectu; Averroes, De beatitudine anime; Achillini, De universalibus; Alexandri Macedonis Ad Aristotelem de mirabilibus Indie. The last work had been a popular description of mythical beasts and strange humans since its composition in the seventh century Thorndike V, 47-50; Baudrier V, 104; Durling 270
£1750
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