PHOTIUS' MYRIOBIBLON OR LIBRARY.
TO THE MOST NOBLE AND DISTINGUISHED MEN, QUIRINUS RECHLINGER AND MARCUS VELSERUS, PREFECTS AND DUUMVIRS OF AUGUSTA VINDELICORUM, AND TO THE COLLEGE OF THE SEPTEMVIRI, MOST RESPECTED LORDS AND PATRONS, S. P.
A Photius, requested by the great yearning of all learned men and granted to them with such favor, at last emerges, brought forth from the darkness. For although these are our times, wherein you may not unjustly doubt whether the republic of letters has more of advantage or disadvantage to expect for itself—because on one hand wars, on the other the contempt and hatred for learned studies seem to threaten some ruin—yet because in the last few years, contrary to expectation, many books of the best ancient authors have come to light from diverse places, and some which are by no means peaceful or tranquil, and are even now being brought forth daily, I would think that one should by no means despair. Truly it is the case that that golden age, as they say, was B *hegemonikon* (ruling), and another *thymikon* (spirited), in which men were foremost in excelling in the praise of both wisdom and fortitude; but neither is this age, which they designate as *epithymetikon* (desirous), lacking in examples of wise men or those possessed of heroic virtue: “Ancient virtues,” (to use the words of the lyric poet), “are brought back, changing through the generations of men, strength.” Indeed, in every age some are divinely stirred to go and propagate the liberal arts, which alone keep the human race safe and sound. For which reason I judge this era of ours the happier, in which, along with other ancient writers, that one himself (whom I mentioned) has been reborn—Photius, most excellent in every branch of learning. I marvel that he, whose very name is derived from "light," should have had to lack it for so long; he is an author from whose *Myriobiblon* theologians, physicians, historians, orators, and philologists alike can derive most abundant and delightful fruit. This is taught by the eulogies which we have taken care to set before this work, now edited by us for the first time. For Photius has brought forth not only *Eclogues* and criticisms from those books which are in the hands of almost everyone, but much more from the monuments of those [authors] whose fragments, either entirely lost through the injury of time, or—through the envy of certain C *bibliotaphs*—have been exposed to nothing but moths. Nor does he draw only from sacred, but also from profane authors. For the reading of these is as profitable, if judgment is applied, as it was not a hindrance to Moses to have known the disciplines of the Egyptians, to Daniel those of the Chaldeans, or to the divine Paul those of the Greeks, and finally for the Israelites to have carried with them vessels out of Egypt into Palestine. Therefore, Photius shows with the greatest faithfulness which choice should be made, and from where more or less may be expected.
There are many reasons why I would wish this work, filled with a varied and manifold store of both things and words, to be consecrated to your noble selves, most noble men. For in this city it has come to pass that it is reborn, adorned with elegance of typeface, certain of its wounds healed from your illustrious Library, and finally, additions made to it. In this city the Muses and Graces are believed to have found their home, because those who hold the helm of the republic, who from their early youth have been devoted to every branch of literature, both approve of this kind of labor and are eager to assist those who expend all their effort upon the same task. In this city, under your auspices, one work of both languages after another has been printed in a short space of time with fresh and beautiful type. Finally, in this city there have never been wanting men by whose authority the treasury of manuscript codes and printed books might be augmented and adorned. Among D these, I pray again and again that you may deign to assign a place to this Photian work also, and to embrace me, just as you have hitherto, with your kindness and patronage. Fare well, most distinguished men, safe in public and private, and may you flourish forever.
Augusta Vindelicorum, 12 Kalends of April, Year 1601.
D. H. O. DAVID HOESCHELIUS, of Augsburg.