A New System, or An Analysis of Ancient Mythology: Wherein an Attempt is made to divest Tradition of Fable;; and to reduce the Truth to its Original Purity. In this work is given an history of the Babylonians, Chaldeans, Egyptians, Canaanites, Helladians, Ionians, Leleges, Dorians, Pelasgi: also of the Scythae, Indoscythe, Ethiopians, Phenicians...
London: T. Payne, 1775.
3 volumes. Illustrated with 29 full and partial-page engraved plates in Volumes I & II; 3 engraved maps, two folding. in Volume III. xx, 516; [2], vi, 535; viii, 601 pages. Thick 4tos, full contemporary calf, gilt ruled, with raised bands and red & green leather spine labels. Binding joints cracked but firm; extremities lightly worn; ink signature in each volume; some very light foxing and offsetting but overall a very good(+), clean copy. London: Printed for T. Payne... [et al.], 1775-1776. Second edition of Volumes 1 and 2; first edition of Volume 3.
Bryant (1715-1804) was a classical scholar, educated at King's College, Cambridge. He was appointed secretary to the Duke of Marlborough in 1756 and continued to serve the Marlborough family after the Duke's death in 1758, living for several years at Blenheim. He published a description of the Marlborough collection of antique gems in 1783.
Bryant's name is chiefly associated with the present work, the first two volumes of which first appeared in 1774. Though Bryant has been criticized for his lack of grounding in Eastern languages and for his misleading system of etymology, it is generally agreed that the research that went into it was remarkable. (DNB). "This work established the author's reputation as a profound scholar..." (Lowndes). -- Rothschild 511. Binding: Hardcover
Condition: Very Good(+)
Edition: Mixed
Language: English
Price: $1,500.00
Item #332737