M. Manilii Astronomicon (Edition Altera in 5 Volume)
Cambridge University Press; 1916, 1920 and 1930: Cambridge (Cantabrigiae). Octavo. Item #029136
Second edition. The definitive set correcting problems of the first edition and making additons. Both the author and the date of this five-volume poem, the first Western document to link the houses of the zodiac with the course of human affairs, are uncertain. The author's name may be Marcus Manilius, Manlius, or Mallius, and the latest datable event mentioned in the books themselves is the disastrous defeat of Varus' Roman legions by the German tribes in 9 CE. The writing shows knowledge of the work of Lucretius, but the work is not referred to by any subsequent writer, suggesting that it was never widely disseminated. A manuscript was rediscovered by Poggio Bracciolini in 1416 or 1417, and editions were produced by Scaliger and Bentley, but this immensely erudite edition of 1903-1930 by the scholar and poet A. E. Housman (1859-1936) is regarded as authoritative. Volume 3 which has a long English introduction describes the working out of horoscopes.The original editions which were issued (1903-1930) were highly valued but with Housman's additions and corrections the classical scholar has in this five volume set the most important access to his thought. All volumes bound in maroon cloth, spines lettered in gilt, volume five has staining to upper board. A very nice set all in unclipped printed dust jackets with some chipping and wear, spine darkened.
Price: $700.00