PARADISE LOST
AVITUS, Alcinus Ecdidius. Libri VI [De origine mundi, etc.], ab Johanne Murmellio Ruremundensi recogniti et emendati. Cologne, Martin von Werden, 1509.
4to., 68 leaves, printed in gothic letter, woodcut on verso of last leaf showing a schoolmaster addressing his pupils, all with books in their hands; a few leaves waterstained, but a very good crisp copy in old paper boards, from the Donaueschingen Library.
Second edition (first, Strasbourg 1507) of Avitus’ principal work. This is a new recension, edited by the humanist Johannes Murmellius of Roermond (1480-1517 (see Bietenholz, II, pp. 470-1)).Avitus came of an aristocratic family and succeeded his father in 490 in the Bishopric of Vienne. This is his principal work, an epic treatment of notable events of the Old Testament, the Creation, Paradise (and Paradise Lost), and the Crossing of the Red Sea. Raby, Christian Latin Poetry, credits Avitus with “a poetical talent above that of Juvencus or indeed any of the ‘epic’ poets of the Church”.
Several scholars have seen a connection with Milton’s Paradise Lost. See Boswell, Milton’s Library, nos. 122-125.
Very rare. Not in the British Library. VD16 A4513, citing a single copy at Munich. Not in OCLC. RLIN records a copy at Harvard.
£2000
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