Caldeo Beroso Lot n° 39

Beroso, Caldeo - The antiquities of Berossus Caldeus priest and other writers, both Jews and Greeks and Latins, who deal with the same subjects. T Venice, Altobello Salicato, 1583. In 4th, 8 cc. nn.; 112 cc. numbered, illustrated initials engraved on copper. Printer's mark on title page. Coeval binding in full soft parchment, calligraphic title. SPECIALIST NOTES First edition of the "Antichità…" translated by Sansovino, author here of both the text and the annotations. Berossus Chaldeus, priest of the god Baal, lived around the third century BC. He compiled in the Greek language a history of Babylon, in three books, based on indigenous sources well known to him in his capacity as a priest. Only fragments of this work have come down to us handed down by various writers who had drawn on it, including Flavio and Eusebio. Valuable edition not mentioned by Gamba and Brunet.