39 - Michael Bapst: Türckische Chronica, Darinnen kürtzlich zu befinden, Wann, wie, unnd warumb, das Mahometische oder Türckische Reich auffkommen, und so gewaltig…. Leipzig, 1593

Michael Bapst: Türckische Chronica, Darinnen kürtzlich zu befinden, Wann, wie, unnd warumb, das Mahometische oder Türckische Reich auffkommen, und so gewaltig…. Leipzig, 1593 First edition. In 8vo,contemporary green pig skin slightly trimmed and lucking the contemporary claps, manuscript title in spine,title in red and black,text clean, some light water stain and spotting occasionally, complete, overall in very good condition Bapst (1540-1603) was a German physician. The book was published in Leipzig in 1593 by the printer Zacharias Bärwald for Valentin Vögelin and is one of the very first books for the Levant in the contemporary German popular language. This work is part of a genre known as Turcica, books and pamphlets produced in Europe, particularly the Holy Roman Empire that documented the rise of the Ottoman Empire, often with a mix of historical fact, theological interpretation, and military advice. Bapst was not an eyewitness to the events in the Levant, he compiled his information from earlier chroniclers and private eyewitnesses accounts that had reached Germany, making this work a popular digest of Turkish chronic for the contemporary German-speaking public. So,the Chronica was intended for a general Christian audience concerned about the Turkish threat at their borders. It contains a summary of how the Ottoman Empire rose to power and information about their administration, population, trade etc. Following the Lutheran tradition, Bapst presents the Ottomans as the Scourge of God (Gottes Geißel), a punishment for the sins of Christendom. It argues that the Ottoman empire is reaching its end and will eventually fall.It provides instructions for soldiers on how to behave righteously to ensure victory.The information for the military section of the work is certainly provided by soldiers that served the Venetians in the Mediterranean or the Austrians in Hungary. It emphasizes that military success depends as much on spiritual repentance as on tactical skill. This very particular kind of book served directly or indirectly for the recruitment of mercenaries, so needed in the Imperial army at the start of the Long Turkish War (1593-1605). A precious 16th century account.