Loukianou Samosateōs Hapanta
Loukianou Samosateōs Hapanta = Luciani Samosatensis Opera
by Lucian of Samosata
| Loukianou Samosateōs Hapanta | |
 Title page from Loukianou Samosateōs Hapanta, volume one, George Wythe Collection, Wolf Law Library, College of William & Mary. | |
| Author | Lucian of Samosata |
| Published | Amstelodami: Sumptibus J. Wetstenii |
| Date | 1743 |
| Language | Latin |
| Volumes | 3 volume set |
| Desc. | (28 cm.) |
Lucian (125-180 CE) was a very well-known ancient Greek rhetorician and satirist. As a child, Lucian was originally apprenticed to his uncle to begin a career as a sculptor.[1] Their relationship was strained and Lucian eventually left his home and his apprenticeship.[2] He acquired a Greek literary education in western Asia Minor and applied this education towards a career as a public speaker when he returned to Greece.[3]
Though a successful rhetorician, Lucian over time became disenchanted with his career. Eventually he gave up public speaking altogether and began to write critical and satirical essays. These essays catapulted Lucian into fame and continue to serve as the basis for his lasting legacy.[4] Lucian satirized a wide variety of topics; He particularly favored satirizing the fantastical tales that were commonplace during the era in which he lived. He even mocked the incredulous journey that the protagonist Odysseus experienced in Homer’s Odyssey.[5] Lucian was also highly critical of the intellectual institutions at the time and frequently satirized the hypocrisy of philosophers.[6] Not even the Greek gods were safe from Lucian’s mockery. He repeatedly satirized the popular but ultimately incredible stories of the gods dealings with mortals.[7]
Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library
Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy
Bound in contemporary vellum, raised bands, spines in seven panels with author label to second panel and volume label to third. Covers with double fillet border with an inner double fillet frame with a central arabesque in all blind. Contains engraved frontispiece to volume one, titles in red and black and previous owners name to front free endpapers. Set includes Index Verborum ac Phrasium Luciani, sive Lexicon Lucianeum by Carolus Conradus Reitzius (Trajecti ad Rhenum: H. Besseling, 1746) as volume 4. Purchased from Temple Rare Books.
View this book in William & Mary's online catalog.
