1685 – Palaephatus | Mythology Monsters – Centaurs, Hydras, & Cerberus!

Palaephati De incredibilibus is a famous 4^th-century BC text rationalizing ancient mythologies and stories. This work, which survived antiquity, is attributed to Palaephatus, an ancient Greek author known for his interpretations of Greek allegory and mythology. In Incredibilibus, Palaephatus suggests that the mythological heroes and figures that appear in the stories sensational explanations of real historical events and characters. For example, instead of accepting centaurs and monsters as literal, Palaephatus proposes practical explanations such as centaurs are skilled horsemen mistaken for half-horse beings, and monsters are nothing more than exaggerations of unusual animals.

This 1685 first edition was published in Frankfurt, collected and edited by Cornelius Tollius, Paul Pater. Note the retention of the highly desirable frontispiece – views of mythological creatures in an allegorical scene.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Palaifatou Peri apistōn = Palaephati De incredibilibus ad illustres Wratislaviensis reip. scholarchas
• Author(s): Palaephatus
• Contributor(s): Cornelius Tollius, Paul Pater
• Publisher: Francofurti, Apud Iohannem Meyerum
• Edition: 1685. First edition
• Binding: Full vellum
• Format: (16mo), single volume
• Size:  6.75 in x 4.25 in (17.15 cm x 10.8 cm)
• Collation: 241 pp;
• Illustrations: frontispiece
• Contents Include:
  • Descriptions of mythological monsters – centaurs, hydras, Cerberus
  • Iconic mythological characters: Orpheus, Pasiphae, Alcestis

Condition:

Good. Full vellum binding secure with warping to the boards and staining on the covers; text block tight with age toning and occasional worm spots, text remaining clear.

Why Collect This?

• Early printed edition of a classical myth text
• Explanations for hydras, Cerberus, centaurs, Orpheus, and other monsters!

Item Number: #50126