Familiarium colloquiorum opus ut postremum a Frobenio est editum - Erasmus, Desiderius 1466-1536; Froben, Johann 1460-1527; Picander 1700-1764 (Cologne Horst, 1578)
The Colloquies is a collection of dialogues on a wide variety of subjects. They began in the late 1490s as informal Latin exercises for Erasmus' own pupils. The Colloquia grew from a simple textbook for Latin students to a book full of life wisdom. In about 1522 he began to perceive the possibilities this form might hold for continuing his campaign for the gradual enlightenment and reform of all Christendom. Between that date and 1533 twelve new editions appeared, each larger and more serious than the last, until eventually some fifty individual colloquies were included ranging over such varied subjects as the study of fine arts, the position of women, religion, the problem of war and peace, travel, religion, sleep, beggars, funerals, and literature. All of these works were in the same graceful, easy style and gentle humor that made them continually sought as schoolboy exercises and light reading for generations. In the guise of a school textbook on sound Latin prose Erasmus is able to mix sound language teaching, homilies on Christian ethics, and social criticism of some of the injustices and follies of his day. Because of the critical and satirical tone of many colloquia - all kinds of external ceremonies such as confession and the veneration of images were criticised, the stupid and lazy clergy were mocked - the work was placed on the list of prohibited books (Index librorum prohibitorum). Nevertheless, it has had quite an impact.
Frobenius (Johannes Froben, 1460-1527) was Erasmus's printer and landlord in Basel
Contains an index
Ex libris Henrici 1739 = Picander = Christian Friedrich Henrici (1700-1764), the German poet and librettist for many of the cantatas which Johann Sebastian Bach composed in Leipzig
ipsius Auctoris manu recognitum: doctissimis etiam scholiis nunc recens illustratum. Brevis Eusdem Auctoris Vita. Adiecto rerum & verborum memorabilium Indice locupletissimo.
Keywords: 16th Century (1501-1600); Literature; Philosophy; Moral education; Rotterdam (Netherlands)