Augustine, De civitate Dei.
Venice, Joannes and Vindelinus de Spira, 1470

The origin of Augustine’s doctrine of the two empires (Civitas Dei and Civitas Diaboli) must be looked for in manicheism: before he became a Christian, Augustine had been for many years an adherent of the gnostic teachings of Mani. He was also one of the most authoritative witnesses to the work and philosophy of Hermes, quoting excerpts from the Asclepius. While condemning Hermes’s magic, Augustine nevertheless accepts Hermes as an actual historical figure and even gives a geneology dating him four generations younger than Moses.

One of nine recorded vellum copies; on the first text-page the arms of the Loredano family (Leonardo, doge 1501-1520).