Documenting the Earliest Olympic Games in Greece - Only Surviving Entire Work of Ancient Greek Poet Pindar,

Pindar, Olympic Games

Book

PINDAR. Olympia, Pythia, Nemea, Isthmia. Caeterorum octo lyricorum carmina, Alcaei, Sapphus, Stesichori, Ibyci, Anacreontis, Bacchylidis, Simonidis, Alcmanis, Nonulla etiam aliorum. Editio IIII. [Geneva, Switzerland]: Excudebat Paulus Stephanus, 1600. Printers: Henri Estienne (1531-1598) and Paul Estienne (1566/67-1627). Pindar wrote forty-four "Odes of Victory" for the winners of the wreath in the Olympian games, divided into four years or Olympiads, held in Olympia (the most prestigious), Pythia, Nemea, and Isthmia. Each Greek city-state was a separate political entity, so the Olympic Truce or "laying down of arms" ensured safety for the host city and safe passage for the athletes and spectators. The Olympic Games continue to symbolize peace, harmony, solidarity, friendship, and fair playLatin and Ancient Greek (to 1453) on facing pages.

Pindar was a renown poet of ancient Greece. This is his only known work to survive in its entirety. The title of this volume translates to “Olympia, Pythia, Nemea, Isthmia. Eight of the rest of the lyric songs, Alcaei, Sappho, Stesichori, Ibyci, Anacreontis, Bacchylidis, Simonides, Alcman, some are also for others. Edition IV.”. Ownership notations to title-page and "Tillner" to verso. Alum-tawed pigskin over beveled wooden boards blind-stamped with decorative borders and fleurs-de-lis; ornamented clasps strong and functional; spine with three raised bands. Woodcut printer's device to title-page. Approximately 3.5” x 5.5” inches. Edges alternating green and white. Surface cracks on spine show white, corner tips worn, minor wormholes to sides, pages lightly foxed. Overall a beautiful, well-preserved production.

Item #16487

Price: $3,500.00