First edition of Zacharias Heyns' new Dutch translation of Erasmus' famous anti-war essay Dulce bellum inexpertis. This essay was originally part of the 1515 edition of the Adagia, but was first published as an independent work by Johann Froben in 1517 with the title Bellum. The present Dutch edition is quite rare, as we have not been able to find any other copies in sales records of the past hundred years.
The Adagia was first published in 1500, but Erasmus continued to edit the work until his death. The 1515 edition, published by Froben, was greatly expanded, but the essay for the proverb Dulce bellum inexpertis (war is sweet to the inexperienced) was the longest and most remarkable addition. In the essay, Erasmus argues that war is senseless, unchristian, and contrary to human nature. He also critiques the militaristic culture of his time, which glorified violence and aggression, and advocates instead for diplomacy and negotiation. The essay became so popular, that Froben published it separately. Within ten years it had been reissued at Louvain, twice at Strasbourg, twice at Mainz, at Leipzig, twice at Paris, twice at Cologne, at Antwerp, and at Venice. German translations of it were published at Basel and at Strasbourg in 1519 and 1520, and an English translation followed in 1533. The first Dutch translation was made in 1622. The present second Dutch translation, made during the Eighty Years' War, shows how the work continued to inspire more than a hundred years after it was first written.
The spine has been slightly rubbed. The end paper are browned, the work is lightly browned throughout. Otherwise in good condition. Knuttel 3921; Bibl. Belgica E 247; Erasmus Bibl. Rotterdam p. 29; Erasmus Online 465; STCN 831153881; USTC 1026760; Vander Haeghen I, p. 22.