Philippus Beroaldus, 13 December 1497

BEROALDUS, Philippus (1453–1505). Declamatio philosophi, medici, oratoris. – De optimo statu et principe. Bologna: Benedictus Hectoris, 13 December 1497.

Rare first editions of both Beroaldus treatises on human nature. Bolognese scholar Beroaldus lays out fallacies of traditional sciences, particularly physics and medicine, in his Declamatio by positioning three brothers – a philosopher, a physician and an orator – against each other in a debate on the value of their stations. Beroaldus was concerned that any new scholastic approach to Classical thought in the emerging Humanist era may devolve into a cult of philosophers’ opinions, and so he has the common orator win by applying sound reasoning rather than simply recollecting antique authorities. ‘The vanity of the philosopher is contrasted with the only standpoint which has true validity for the human condition: Nosce te ipsum (Know thyself)’ (Models of the History of Philosophy). Similarly, De optimo statu et principe emphasises the integrity of the individual in increasingly prescient questions of how popular governments should be formed. HC 2963*; BMC VI 844; Bod-inc B-220; BSB-Ink B-371; CIBN B-343; GW 4126; Goff B-473; Klebs 182.1; ISTC ib00473000.

Chancery quarto (201 x 146mm). 38 leaves. Types in Greek and Roman (a few neat marginal repairs in title, hinges reinforced, a little faint staining or spotting.) 19th-century green half morocco and marbled boards, flat spine gilt (rubbed). Provenance: some early marginal annotations (occasionally trimmed).