BOETHIUS, Anicius Manlius Severinus; RIDPARTH, Rev. Philip (translator).
Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy.
Boethius's Consolation of Philosophy.
Translated from the Latin, with notes and illustrations, by the Rev. Mr. Philip Ridpath, Minister of Hutton, Berwickshire.
Stock Code 125287
London, Printed for C. Dilly, in the Poultry, 1785.
The first edition of this English-language translation of Boethius' De Consolatione Philosophiae, composed during the sixth century AD whilst Boethius was imprisoned and awaiting execution for treason. A wonderful example in contemporary tree-calf.
Arguably the most famous work of philosophy from late antiquity, the Consolation takes the form of a dialogue between the author and philosophy, personified as a 'Woman of a most reverend Countenance' (p.3), who counsels that true happiness is not based upon the attainment of material riches, honour or power, but from the unity of the soul and body within.
The text goes on to discuss the problem of evil, the nature of predestination, free will, and justice. As translator, Boethius was an important link between the Hellenic and Medieval worlds and was amongst the most widely read and debated figures from late antiquity. Such is his legacy that he has been dubbed the 'last of the Roman philosophers and the first of the scholastic theologians' (Edward Kennard Rand).
First Ridpath edition; 8vo (22 x 14 cm); half-title, printed on blue-tinted paper; contemporary tree calf, gilt spine, contrasting red morocco lettering-piece, a little rubbed, near fine; [4], xxxi, [1], 224pp.
ESTC T143757; Lowndes p.229.
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