
Description
by LACTANTIUS
Paris; 1551
Rare French translation by Rene Fame of the main work of the early Christian author Lactantius (240-320), an apologetic treatise against pagan beliefs.
Illustrated with 179 woodcuts in-text.
Size 3 by 4 1/4"
[32]-774-[2 bl.] pp.
Full calf, triple gilt-ruled covers, gilt-ornamental flat spine, red edges
Some wear of binding. Minor toning and foxing, cut short at upper margin
- Ref. Pettegree (FB) 32428. - Not in BP16 (other ed.), STC French, Adams.
Text in French
=
Lucius Caecilius Firmianus signo Lactantius (c. 250 – c. 325) was an early Christian author who became an advisor to Roman emperor Constantine I, guiding his Christian religious policy in its initial stages of emergence, and a tutor to his son Crispus.
His most important work is the Institutiones Divinae ("The Divine Institutes"), an apologetic treatise intended to establish the reasonableness and truth of Christianity to pagan critics.
He is best known for his apologetic works, widely read during the Renaissance by humanists, who called Lactantius the "Christian Cicero". Also often attributed to Lactantius is the poem The Phoenix, which is based on the myth of the phoenix from Egypt and Arabia. Though the poem is not clearly Christian in its motifs, modern scholars have found some literary evidence in the text to suggest the author had a Christian interpretation of the eastern myth as a symbol of resurrection.
=
Reserve: $1,000.00
Shipping:
Your purchase is protected:
In the rare event that the item did not conform to the lot description in the sale, Chairish Auctions specialists are here to help. Buyers may return the item for a full refund provided you notify Chairish Auctions within 5 days of receiving the item.
Buyer's Premium
20%
1551 TREATISE AGAINST PAGAN BELIEFS LACTANTIUS antique ILLUSTRATED 179 WOODCUTS
Estimate $1,200-$1,500
Starting Price
$500
LiveAuctioneers Purchase Protection
Vetted auction houses
Secure, online bidding
Returns guaranteed for misrepresented listings
Dedicated support when you need it
Antique books 15th-19th Century
Feb 05, 2026 6:00 PM ESTNew York, NY, United States
TOP



























![1588 CICERO NIZOLIUS SIVE THESAURUS CICERONIANUS antique FOLIO 16th CENTURY: Title: 1588 CICERO NIZOLIUS SIVE THESAURUS CICERONIANUS antique FOLIO 16th CENTURY Description: (CICERO). NIZOLIUS [MARIUS]. NIZOLIUS SIVE THESAURUS CICERONIANUS, Caelli Secundi Curionis labore olim a](https://p1.liveauctioneers.com/5584/405660/225281896_1_x.jpg?height=181&quality=70&sharpen=true&version=1770138154&width=181)




