Silvesterii Caesius Aquitanus Pont. Max. F. Abrahami Bzovii Poloni S. T. Magistri Ord. Praedicatorum. Adiuncta Est Vita S. Adalbeuti M. Ab Eodem Eiluestro Edita Studio Eiusdem Bzouii Auctori Suo Uindicata, Et Notis Illustrata. Roma, Typis Vaticanis, MDCXXIX.
S. Adalberti Ursini Comitis Rosembergi, Pragen. Episcopi. Gnesnen. Archiepiscopi, & Martyris. Boemorum, Hungarorum, Polonorum, Prussorum Apostoli. Vita & Pasio. Ab Eius Synchrono & Familiari. Silvestro II. P. M. Edita. Nunc Primum Ex Abrahami Bzouii Poloni S. T. Magistri Ordinis Praedicatorum Suo Autori Vindicata, In Capita Distincta, Clarioribusq; Notis Illustrata. Romae, Ex Typographia Reu. Camerae Apost. MDCXXIX.
Silvester Caesius of Aquitaine, Son of the Supreme Pontiff; by Abraham Bzowski, a Pole, Master of Sacred Theology, of the Order of Preachers. Appended is the Life of Saint Adalbert the Martyr, Published by the Same Silvester, Defended by the Same Abraham Bzovius on Behalf of Its Author, and Illustrated with Notes. Rome, Printed at the Vatican Press, 1629.
[together with]
The Life and Passion of Saint Adalbert, Count Ursinus of Rosenberg, Bishop of Prague, Archbishop of Gniezno, and Martyr; Apostle of the Bohemians, Hungarians, Poles, and Prussians. Written by His Contemporary and Close Companion, Pope Silvester II. Now for the First Time Vindicated on Behalf of Its Author by Abraham Bzowski, a Pole, Master of Sacred Theology of the Order of Preachers, Divided into Chapters and Illustrated with Clearer Notes. Rome, From the Press of the Apostolic Chamber, 1629.
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The first and principal work in this volume is an exceedingly rare early modern biography of Pope Sylvester II (Gerbert of Aurillac), renowned as a mathematician, philosopher, and the first French pope. Writing in defence of Sylvester’s legacy, Bzowski refutes longstanding legends of sorcery and presents the pontiff as a model of intellectual virtue and ecclesiastical reform. The work exemplifies Dominican historical scholarship and forms part of Bzowski’ larger project to continue and expand Cesare Baronio’s Annales Ecclesiastici.
This book also contains his important Latin biography and scholarly vindication of Saint Adalbert (also known as Wojciech), a Bohemian nobleman (from the Ursini-Rosenberg family), bishop of Prague, and missionary archbishop of Gniezno. He is one of the earliest and most important Christian evangelists in Central and Eastern Europe, revered as the “Apostle of the Bohemians, Hungarians, Poles, and Prussians.” The book is an important celebration of Polish history as well as that of Eastern Europe more broadly.
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Born in Proszowice in 1567, Abraham Bzowski was a precocious scholar, mastering Latin and music by the age of ten and studying under French humanists in Secemin. He joined the Dominican Order in Kraków, later teaching philosophy and theology in Ferrara and Milan. After serving as prior in Kraków and Wrocław, he was summoned to Rome in 1610 by Pope Paul V and commissioned to continue Cesare Baronio’s monumental Annales Ecclesiastici. Bzowski authored nine folio volumes (covering 1198-1571), noted for their fidelity to Dominican perspectives, though not without criticism.
Among his other works are the Quadraginta Sermones super Canticum Salve Regina (1598), the Sacrum Pancarpium (1611), and updated papal biographies including those of Paul V and Gregory XV. His Silvester II Caesius (1629), offered here, reflects both his historical scholarship and his interest in Polish and papal history. Bzowski died in Rome on 31 January 1637, having spent his final years in monastic seclusion after a personal tragedy.
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Provenance:
Formerly in the collection of the Rare Book Library at the New York Theological Seminary, USA.
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Size: 191 x 268 mm (approx.)
Condition:
[(1), *4, a6, A-O4, P6, Q2; *4, A-D4, E6, (1)]
Contemporary full limp vellum, title in contemporary MS to head of spine with 20th century tape affixed across the foot of the spine and going on to the boards. Binding secure with boards securely attached. Foxing throughout, toned, 20th century ownership marks (including blindstamps) of the Rare Book Collection of The New York General Theological Seminary Library. Collates as complete, including the finely engraved portrait of Sylvester II. Both parts are present.
[OCLC 1020456456].
