Job Ludolf - The History of Ethiopia - 1684
"The Most Illustrious Name in Ethiopic Scholarship"
Ludolphus [Ludolf], Job. A NEW HISTORY OF ETHIOPIA. Being A Full and Accurate Description Of The Kingdom of Abessinia. Vulgarly, though Erroneously, called the Empire of Prester John. In Four books. Wherein are Contained I. An Account of the Nature, Quality and Condition of the Country, and Inhabitants; ... II. Their Political Government; the Genealogy and Succession of Their Kings; a Description of Their Court, ... III. Their Ecclesiastical Affairs; Their Conversion to the Christian Religion, and the Propagation Thereof, Their Sacred Writings, ... IV. Their Private Oeconomy, Their Books and Learning; Their Common Names... Made English By J. P. Gent (London: Printed for Samuel Smith, 1684) Second edition, greatly expanded, with a “new and exact” map of the country, a preface on the usefulness of the text, a life of Gregorius Abba, the author’s opinion on other writers concerning Ethiopia, all translated out of manuscript commentary on this history. With a large folding engraved map, 8 engraved plates, seven of which are folding, and a folding Genealogical Table. Folio, in contemporary full polished calf, sometime expertly and sympathetically restored at the back to style, the spine with tall blind ruled raised bands and a single red morocco label lettered and tooled in gilt, the covers with blind rules at borders and at the hinges as typical in these 17th century bindings. [8], [26 preface], 398 pp.. A very handsome and well preserved copy, internally, very fresh, unpressed, clean and solid. The folding map with closed tear at the hinge, with expert antique support to the verso, some leaves at the end with a bit of refurbishment to a small spot in the upper margin due to evidence of worming, the binding handsome and sturdy.
A VERY IMPORTANT AND EARLY HISTORY OF ETHIOPIA, the plates include fascinating and very early images of several exotic plants and animals, including elephants, apes, hippos and the dudaim (mandrake) tree. There is also a vivid and dramatic depiction of the beheading of the Jesuit Mission by Basilides of Abyssinia in 1648. This work was one of the most comprehensive European studies on Ethiopia and Abyssinia until James Bruce, but would also continue to be of considerable academic value even long thereafter.
Edward Ullendorff, perhaps the most prominent living Ethiopian and Semitic languages expert, calls Job Ludolf, "the most illustrious name in Ethiopic scholarship". After studying philology at the Erfurt academy and at Leiden, Ludolf (1624-1704) traveled in order to increase his linguistic knowledge. While searching in Rome for some documents at the request of the Swedish Court, he became acquainted with one Gregorius, a monk from the Ethiopian province of Amhara, and acquired from him an intimate knowledge of the Ethiopian language. In 1683 he visited England to promote a cherished scheme for establishing trade with Ethiopia, but his efforts were unsuccessful, chiefly through the resistance of the authorities of the Ethiopian Orthodox Church. Returning to Frankfort in 1684, he gave himself wholly to literary work, which he continued almost to his death.
This monumental History of Ethiopia, and the extensive commentaries added to this English edition printed just shortly after Ludolf’s visit to England, can still be read, according to Ullendorff, “with profit as well as enjoyment” and is also, according to William T. Lowndes, “a work full of recondite and important information on the origin of the Abyssinians, the climate, soil, productions, etc."
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