Gradus ad Parnassum, sive Novus synonymorum, epithetorum, phrasium poeticarum, ac versuum thesaurus - Aler, Paul 1656-1727 (Amsterdam Janssonius, 1739)
The Latin phrase Gradus ad Parnassum, "steps to Parnassus", became famous when Jesuit Paul Aler (1656–1727), a schoolmaster, published in 1687 anew an earlier Thesaurus attributed to Pierre Joulet, sieur de Chastillon (1545–1621). This was not a general dictionary but a thesaurus of synonyms, epithets, verses and phrases in classical poetic usage. The work in Alers' form existed into the 19th century with the definitions as well as the entries written in Latin. Known to many generations of students throughout Europe, and passing through numerous editions, 19th century English-speaking schoolchildren knew the 1818 revision by Dr John Carey (1756–1826) simply as 'Carey's Gradus'. It was specially intended for the study and appreciation of Latin poetry of the classical period, and to aid students in the practice of verse composition.
drawing of a church in brown pencil in the back
Keywords: 18th Century (1701-1800); Linguistics; Literature; Poetry; Germany