2 - ΔΙΟΔΩΡΟΣ ΣΙΚΕΛΟΣ [Diodorus Siculus]: Ιστοριών Βιβλία τινά τα ευρισκόμενα [Historiarum libri aliquot qui extant]. Basiliae Oporinus, 1539.

ΔΙΟΔΩΡΟΣ ΣΙΚΕΛΟΣ [Diodorus Siculus]: Ιστοριών Βιβλία τινά τα ευρισκόμενα [Historiarum libri aliquot qui extant]. Basiliae Oporinus, 1539. EDITIO PRINCEPS. First edition of any part of Diodorus’ History in the original Greek. Although a small portion of the introduction to Diodorus’ History had been published in Latin at the end of the 15th century, the original Greek text was edited by Vincentius Kock and printed for the first time in this edition at Basel by Oporinus, following its discovery in the early 16th century. It includes, for the first time, the entire section on the expedition of Alexander the Great. This account of Alexander’s expedition is among the earliest comprehensive travel narratives in human history and contains invaluable information about several regions of the Levant. Other smaller portions of Diodorus’ History were discovered later, up to the 18th century, though a substantial part remains missing. The prefatory note is a hymn on the blessings of the art of printing. Preface and opening poem in Latin; main text entirely in Greek. In 4to, [12], 481, [1] pp., complete. With woodcut ornamental initials at the beginning of each book; some early manuscript annotations in pen. Bound in late 19th-century full gilt calf, lightly worn, imitating the original 16th-century binding; spine gilt, edges red. A very good, clean copy. References: Adams D468; Griechischer Geist aus Basler Pressen 243.