The volume contains two classical texts, Diogenes Laertius's Lives and Opinions of Eminent Philosophers, in a Latin translation from the Greek original, and a translation into Dutch of Ovid's Metamorphoses, one of the most popular works of classical Latin, and an inspiration for many subsequent artists and authors, including Shakespeare. The Metamorphoses described the history of the world from its creation to the deification of Julius Caesar in 42 BC, within a loose historical and mythological framework. The metamorphoses of the title describe both the voluntary and involuntary transformations of characters into animals or inanimate objects, often to escape danger or to elude an unwanted lover.

Binding information

Full leather bound in white alum-tawed pigskin, with the head of the Holy Roman Emperor Charles V (1500-58) on the front cover with initials E.H.V.S. and the date 1562; and the head of John Frederick, Duke of Saxony (1503-54), on the back. Both within border frame of blind stamped panels of women and mottos 'FORTITUDO', 'CARITA RENIG', 'SPESNO CONFUN' [?] and 'FIDES F ST SVBS' [?] With clasps, both broken. Tooled spine in four compartments almost totally faded, but possible to discern volute type design. Writing to top two compartments, illegible.