Marcus Aurelius and His Times
The Transition from Paganism to Christianity
Comprising
MARCUS AURELIUS: MEDITATIONS
LUCIAN: HERMOTIMUSICAROMENIPPUS
JUSTIN MARTYR: DIALOGUE WITH TRYPHO FIRST APOLOGY
WALTER PATER: MARIUS THE EPICUREAN (SELECTIONS)
by Marcus Aurelius
Walter J. Black, 1945, New York
CONDITION:
Good. The boards are edgeworn. The spine is darkened, moderately rubbed, and shows worn gilt. Hinges and joints are very good. The text block and pages are very good, with minor dampstaining, stained edges, and minor toning. The endpapers are very good, with minor dampstaining, an inscription, and minor toning.
ATTRIBUTES:
There are inscriptions and/or bookseller notes on front matter. Hardcover. No dust jacket. Bound in cloth over boards.
DESCRIPTION:
This book, edited by Irwin Edman, explores the philosophical and religious landscape during the transition from Paganism to Christianity, a period marked by significant intellectual and spiritual shifts. It compiles key texts from prominent figures of this era, offering a multifaceted view of the prevailing thoughts and emerging beliefs. The collection is designed to illuminate the intellectual currents that shaped the early centuries of the common era, providing insights into the clash and convergence of different worldviews.
Irwin Edman (1896–1954) was an American philosopher and professor at Columbia University, known for his philosophical works, essays, and poetry. He was influenced by John Dewey and American naturalism, yet also drawn to classical philosophy. Edman was a popular lecturer and an internationally known scholar, interested in aesthetics, social and political philosophy, and the philosophy of religion. His editorial work on this volume reflects his broader engagement with philosophical classics and his ability to present complex ideas to a wider audience.
The book's significance lies in its curated selection of primary sources that collectively illustrate a pivotal moment in Western thought. It includes Marcus Aurelius's *Meditations*, offering a window into Stoic philosophy with themes of impermanence, rationality, and living in accordance with nature. Lucian's *Hermotimus* and *Icaromenippus* provide a skeptical perspective, often satirizing philosophical pretensions. Justin Martyr's *Dialogue with Trypho* and *First Apology* present early Christian apologetics, defending the faith and arguing for its tenets against Jewish and pagan criticisms. Finally, selections from Walter Pater's *Marius the Epicurean* offer a literary exploration of a character's philosophical journey through paganism to an encounter with Christian values. This collection would appeal to collectors interested in the foundational texts of philosophy and early religious thought, particularly those seeking to understand the intellectual dialogue that characterized the shift from classical paganism to the rise of Christianity.
FLASHBACK TO 1945 WHEN THIS BOOK WAS PUBLISHED:
When this book was published in 1945, the world was reeling from the end of World War II, marked by Germany's surrender and the devastating atomic bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki, forever changing warfare and geopolitical landscapes. The United Nations was founded, offering a new hope for global cooperation, while cultural shifts were underway with the rise of bebop jazz and the first computer bug being identified. As soldiers returned home, a new era of rebuilding and Cold War tensions was dawning, making this a pivotal year of both profound loss and groundbreaking innovation.
Page Count: 306
Location: ABS-1-4-002