The Works of Tertullian, edited by Beatus Rhenanus and printed by Johann Froben
The third book of the acquisition was printed in Basle in 1521 by Johann Froben, a printer well-known in humanist circles during the period for the quality and decorative details that were added to the books from his press.
This edition of the Works was edited by Beatus Rhenanus, a close friend of Desiderius Erasmus, and a prominent figure in the publications produced by Froben's press. Froben employed many humanist scholars including Rhenanus and Erasmus to edit and aid in the creation of the works which the press printed; the first book Rhenanus edited in Basel was printed by Froben's press.
Quintus Septimus Florens Tertullian (c. 160-225) was an early Christian theologian from Carthage. He is often called the Father of Latin Christianity due to being the first to produce an extensive body of Latin Christian literature.
His works consist of apologetics, theological treatises, some controversial works, and ascetic writings, mainly in Latin, although a few were in Greek. In his work Apologeticum, and in his other apologetic writings, he appeals for the toleration of Christianity within the Roman Empire and attacks pagan superstition. He rebukes charges against the morality of Christians and raises the argument that Christians are no danger to the state, but good and useful citizens.
In the moral and disciplinary works that he addressed to Christians, he emphasized the separation from pagan society as necessary to escape contamination from its traditions of idolatry. The works of Tertullian provide a picture of religious life during early Christianity for church historians. He was drawn to Montanism, a movement that arose in North Africa seemingly as a counter-reaction to secularism due to its strict moral standards.
Our copy is bound in a similar manner to the Works of Origen; it is not a contemporary binding as evidenced by some marginalia being cut off through rebinding. The cover is speckled calfskin and the fore-edges of the paper, like the Origen volumes, are speckled red, a popular and cost-effective form of book decoration.
The title page has an inscription that is partially scribbled over. The first two words were likely a previous owner's name as the inscription seems to read, 'Oft immortals go onto'.
There are examples of marginalia throughout the volume in different hands illustrating how previous owners of this volume interacted with and read it. The marginalia also provides an idea of how readers approached this text and studied it.
Hans Holbein and his brother Ambrosius worked at Froben's press and designed many of the devices used by both Johann and his son Hieronymous when he took over the press. The following page discusses three of the decorative borders in depth to highlight the decorations present in this edition.
