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'Mad scholars for sale'
CUNAEUS, Petrus.Sardi venales. Satyra Menippa. In huius seculi homines plerosque ineptè eruditos. In fine seorsim addita est ex eiusdem interpretatione D. Juliani Imperatoris Satyra in principes Romanos.     Leiden, Officina Plantiniana, Franciscus Raphelengius, 1612. 12mo. Contemporary vellum, spine lettered in ink, rests of ties. Title printed in red and black with woodcut printer's device. (24), 144, 154, (1) pp. With: (ROLEVINCK, Werner). de regimine rusticorum. Iam olim quidem rudi stylo, ab incerto auctore conscriptum, sed lectu dignissimum. Mainz, Johannes Albinus, 1601. Text printed in frames. 12mo. (24), 238, (4 blank) pp. Ad 1: First edition of this pre-eminent seventeenth century Neo-Latin specimen of the Latin literary genre of the Menippean Satire. Illustrative for the seventeenth century appreciation of Cunaeus' work is the fact that the book was reprinted no less than thirteen times until 1735 and that there is a Dutch translation, published in 1675, under the title: Gekken te koop, of schimp-schrift op de verkeerd-geleerden van onzen tijd. A modern critic (G. Hess) has stated that the reintroduction of the Satira Menippa by Petrus Cunaeus (together with Justus Lipsius' famous Somnium) forms a culminating point of Academic imitatio in Neo-Latin literature. This revival of the classical Menippean satire as we know it from the one and only specimen to survive, Seneca's Apocolocyntosis, is achieved by Cunaeus with his Sardi venales. It is a successful critical review of certain abusive tendencies in contemporary philology and theology. Unlike Lipsius, Cunaeus was much more inspired by personal emotions. He also seems to have been much more daring since he deels not only with international, far-off philology, but also with vehement theological discussions going on at that moment on the floor of his own university in Leiden. The provocative nature of his work is further indicated by his translation of the Roman Emperor Julian the Apostate's anti-Christian satire Caesares, here, as usual, added under a separate title-page. In a dream, Menippus invites Cunaeus to attend a meeting of the Republic of Scholars where scholars would appear to live in the hereafter, presided by Erasmus. Cunaeus' critical and satirical description of this meeting, of course hurted the feelings of many scholars and theologians alike, involved as they were in theological disputes, especially those on the hot topic of predestination. To criticise those discussions, and covertly also the Leiden professors Baudius and Daniel Heinsius, meant being considered an adherent to the Arminian cause. Cunaeus sent the book to Arminius' successor in Leiden, C. Vorstius, with an accompanying letter dated 12 December 1612, saying: "I recently published the book enclosed ... I examined all kinds of scholars and since the theologians today are the most numerous among the fools, I have often put them on the stage. I satirised the feelings on predestination which cause real dramas among our poor ministers ... I also gave my judment of Julian, not without displeasing many a person'. The distribution of the work was to cause a real explosion after the Christmas break at Leiden University. For one whole week there were no lessons on account of the ensuing tumult. The upset, however, did not harm Cunaeus' career. In the same year he was appointed ordinarius professor. But, as could have been predicted, the story had its aftermath at the Synod of Dordrecht in 1619-20: Cunaeus had to withdraw his criticisms on the theologians. The modern edition is based on this first edition of 1612. Ad 2: Curious and very rare first edition of the anonymously published 'Bauernspiegel' by the famous Carthusian from Cologne and author of the important world history Fasciculum temporum, Werner Rolevinck (1425-1502). As a son of a farmer Rolevinck could describe the life of farmers from the inside, discussing several social questions connected with rural life in fifteenth century Germany. Good copy.- (Some insignificant browning).
Two Neo-Lain Menippean satires. Justus Lipsius: Somnium; Petrus Cunaeus: Sardi venales. Ed. with introd. by C. Matheeuwsen & C.L. Heesakkers (Leiden 1980) (=Textus minores 54).
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All items are offered subject to prior sale. Prices are nett and in (€) EURO. VAT/BTW, postage, and insurance are not included.
Free shipping for orders over € 2,500. EU customers: if applicable, please quote your VAT number when placing orders.
Preferred mode of payment: by credit card through our secure online payment service, which is facilitated by Ogone. If you wish to make other arrangements, please contact us. Terms of sale
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