PLUTARCH [and] CAMERARIUS, Joachim

£1,750 · Offered by Sokol Books

Rare edition of this translation by Adrien Turnebe of Plutarch s two works on the oracles, De defectu oraculorum and De Figura El, consecrata delphis , prefaced with a lengthy and important essay by Camerarius. There is no Greek text to complement Turnebe s translation, but Camerarius includes Turnebe s annotations and explanations, drawn from other Greek authors, who discuss methods of divination, oracles and astrology. Camerarius lengthy preface is important as he not only comments on Plutarch s text on oracles and prophecy but extends the discussion into contemporary concern over witches and witch-craft. Joachim Camerarius was a Lutheran scholar of high reputation, who died in 1574. He seems to have had much interest in these matters (demonology and witchcraft). Graesse (p.14) gives as his a book De Natura et Affectionibus Daemonorum Libri II Lipsiae, 1576, though this is rather a translation of Plutarch s book of that name by Turnebus, with an introduction by Camerarius (Graesse, p. 46). ... Camerarius says he was led to consider the subject (of witchcraft) by a talk with Albinus, who related the horrible deeds of witches of which he had heard in a recent journey towards the Rhine.... Besides this were accounts by Albinus from many places of these unfortunate women punished with atrocious penalties. .. His essay (the preface) is largely devoted to classic times, but he has full faith in all that is attributed to witches and he says: Tanta est enim exemplorum hujas generis

• Binding: Hardcover

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