ARISTIDES QUINTILIANUS

MUSIC

THREE BOOKS

original Greek: ἈΡΙΣΤΕΊΔΟΥ ΚΟΪ̈ΝΤΙΛΙΑΝΟΥ͂ ΠΕΡῚ ΜΟΥΣΙΚΗ͂Σ ΒΙΒΛΊΑ Γ. Aristides Quintilianus (c. 3rd century CE) wrote what is considered the most complete and influential overview of ancient Greek musical thought, blending technical theory with philosophy and education.

ARISTIDES QUINTILIANUS

MUSIC

THREE BOOKS

original Latin: ARISTIDIS QVINTILIANI DE MUSICA LIBRI III. The title is repeated in Latin to serve the bilingual scholarly audience of the 17th century.

MARCUS MEIBOM

Restored [the text] and explained it with notes.

original Latin: Reſtituit, ac Notis explicavit. Meibom emphasizes his role not just as a printer, but as a scholar who "restored" the ancient text by comparing various manuscripts.

VOLUME II.

The printer's mark of the Elzevir publishing house, known as the 'Minerva' device. It features a sturdy, gnarled olive tree in the center. A ribbon winding through its branches is inscribed with the Latin motto: "Not beyond the olive trees" original: NE EXTRA OLEAS; a proverbial expression referencing the olive trees that marked the boundaries of the Athenian racecourse, signifying that one should not overstep their limits or stray from the point. To the right stands the goddess Minerva (Athena) in full armor, wearing a plumed helmet and holding a spear, with her left hand resting on a shield bearing the image of the Medusa. On the left side of the tree, an owl, the bird of wisdom, is perched on a low stump.

AMSTERDAM,

At the house of Lodewijk Elzevir,

1652.

original: CIƆ IƆC LII. This is an archaic form of Roman numerals used in early printing; CIƆ represents 1,000, IƆC represents 500 + 100, and LII represents 52.