First separate edition of an influential work by Desiderius Erasmus, which is a call for reform of the Catholic Church. It uses the Ancient Greek figure Alcibiades (ca. 450-404 BC) and the mythical characters known as the Sileni as an allegory for looking beyond appearances in order to perceive someone's (or the Church's) true nature. Erasmus wrote the text as part of his compilation of proverbs, the Adagia, in particular for the revised 1515 edition, where it became one of the most popular entries. It was then published by Froben as a separate work in 1517, together with his scholia. The present copy also includes the Scarabeus, a similar essay from the Adagia, with scholia from Beatus Rhenanus. Although these two works are now rarely found together on the market, the Scarabeus was clearly intended as the second part of the Sileni Alcibiades for the present edition, as both the pagination and collation continue between the two works.
The boards are slightly soiled. The work is slightly browned throughout, with water stains in the margins of some of the leaves, and numerous (near) contemporary academic annotations in the margins of the first part by at least 2 different hands. Otherwise in good condition. Bibl. Belgica E 259; BM STC German p. 277; USTC 693955; ad 1: Adams E 833; Erasmus Online 3579; Vander Haeghen I, 176; VD16 E 1990; Ad 2: Adams E 830; Erasmus Online 3574; Vander Haeghen I, 175; VD 16 E 1986.