Beschreibung:

JOSEPHUS, Flavius (37 - after 93 A.D.). De bello Judaico and De antiquitate Judaeorum contra Apionem . Translated from Greek into Latin by Rufinus Aquileiensis (ca. 350-410). Ed. Ludovicus Cendrata (fl. 2nd half 15th century). Verona: Petrus Maufer [for Innocens Ziletus], 25th December 1480. Chancery 2° (275 x 193mm). Collation: /kp/K 2 a 10 b 8 c 6 d-k kk l-x 8 y 6 (/kp/K1 r editor's dedicatory letter to Antonius Donatus, a1 blank, a2 r History of the Jewish War against the Romans, incipit: [ Q ] uoniam bellum Quod cum romanis gessere iudaei ); A-C 8 D 6 (A1 r History of the Jews, incipit: [ S ] ufficienter ut arbitror , D5 v colophon, D6 r register, D6 v blank). 211 leaves only (of 214; lacking the two unsigned preliminary leaves, which may not have been inserted in all copies, and the blank leaf). Roman type 6:111. 36 lines. Initial-spaces. (Very minor worming at the beginning, otherwise IN FINE CONDITION.) 18th-century French green calf gilt. Provenance : early manuscript marginalia in two hands; Sir George Shuckburgh (armorial bookplate). When the Jewish revolt against the Romans broke out in 66 A.D., Josephus was given command of Galilee by the Sanhedrin. He was captured, but his life was spared when he prophesied that Vespasian would become emperor; he was kept prisoner until his prediction was fulfilled in 69. Josephus's works were much read in the Renaissance, both in Greek and Latin as well as in vernacular translations. This early edition is the only book signed from Verona by Maufer, who also ran presses in Padua and Venice. HC *9452; Pr 6918; BMC VII, 951 (IB. 30733); Goff J-484; IGI 5388; CIBN J-313.