Prodigiorum

The images below are of woodcut illustrations haphazardly selected from an anthology published in Basel, in 1557, by the Swiss philosopher, theologian and professor of grammar Conrad Lycosthenes (Konrad Wolfhart, 1518-1561): Prodigiorum ac ostentorum chronicon… ab exordio mundi usque ad haec nostra tempora, that is, a Chronicle of Omens and Portents… from the beginning of the world up to these our present times.

Lycosthenes compendiously collected and reproduced hundreds of accounts, both actual and mythical, of omens and prodigies spanning the whole of known history up to that point. His book is presented in full at Mario Gregorio’s fascinating site, which is primarily concerned with the prophecies of Nostradamus.

Also presented at ‘Prophecies on-line’ is a contemporary English translation of Lycosthenes’ book by one Dr Stephen Batman, ominously entitled The Doome, Warning to All Men.

A little further information about Lycosthenes and his book, and a few larger, and clearer images can be found here and here.

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Posted by misteraitch at January 1, 2004 10:47 AM | TrackBack