La Diane et le Iupiter d’Arles – François de Rebatu – 1656 | First Edition, Arles

La Diane et le Iupiter d’Arles by François de Rebatu was printed in Arles in 1656. Rebatu, a royal adviser and poet, wrote this short work following the 1651 discovery of a Roman statue near the city’s ancient theatre. Scholars debated whether the figure represented Diana or Venus, though, reglardless, Rebatu took a hard stance, calling it a symbol of pagan worship and warning against celebrating such artifacts. He describes the idol as an object once linked to sacrifices, even claiming that children were once burned in its honor. This first edition captures both local reaction and religious sentiment of the time.

Bibliographic Details

• Title: La Diane et le Iupiter d’Arles
• Author(s): François de Rebatu
• Publisher: A Arles: Par François Mesnier
• Edition: First edition, 1656
• Format: (12mo), single volume
• Binding: Disbound, sewn gatherings
• Size:  7 in x 5 in (17.8 cm x 12.7 cm)
• Collation: 19, 15 pp
• Illustrations:
• Contents Include:
  • Remarks on the 1651 statue discovery
  • Commentary on Roman religious practice
  • Condemnation of idolatry linked to Diana/Venus
• Provenance: provenance
• Reference(s): references

Condition:

Very Good. Disbound but complete, with sewn text block intact. Mild age toning and minor edge wear. No loss of text. A well-preserved 17th-century imprint.

Why Collect This?

• Rare first edition pamphlet from Arles
• Response to a major Roman statue discovery
• Uncommon critique of classical idolatry in pamphlet form

Item Number: # 29411