BOTERO (Giovanni). RELATIONI Universali di Giovanni Botero Benese. In Torino. 1601.

BOTERO (Giovanni). RELATIONI Universali di Giovanni Botero Benese. In Torino. 1601.
BOTERO (Giovanni)
RELATIONI Universali di Giovanni Botero Benese. Divise in quattro parti. Arricchite di molte coſe rare, e memorabili, e con l'vltima mano dell'Authore. In Torino: Per Gio. Dominico Tarino, 1601.

†8, A-Z, Aa-Zz, Aa-Ii8, Kk7, A-P8, A-S8, A-G8, H4; [8], 526, 240, 288, 120 pp.; 180 mm. Fac-simile title-page; first folios with some reppairs; stained; full vellum.

A description of the politics, geography and history of the countries and kingdoms of the world. Originally published in Rome in 1591, it has been reprinted several times and translated into various languages over time. Giovanni Botero was an Italian Jesuit, secretary to Bishop Carlo Borromeo and Archbishop Frederico Borromeo, considered one of the most important economists of his time. This "Universal Relation" is a dense and complex text, written with the aim of showing the state of Catholicism in the world at the end of the 16th century. The first part is a journey, which today we would call virtual, through the four continents, with important references to history, conquest and evangelization in Asia, Africa and America, based on the works of Ramusio or José Acosta, among others. This first part is an introduction to the following three parts dedicated, respectively, to the sovereigns of the planet and their greatness, to the cults spread by cities and to evangelization in parts of the world that were unaware of Christianity. Some editions have four maps of the four continents, which do not exist in this edition. Rare and important.