ΚΟΣΜΑΣ ΙΝΔΙΚΟΠΛΕΥΣΤΗΣ [Cosmas Indicopleustes]: ΕΚ ΤΗΣ ΚΟΣΜΑ ΜΟΝΑΧΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗΣ ΤΟΠΟΓΡΑΦΙΑΣ [From Cosmas Christian Topography]. [Paris 1664] together ΚΟΣΜΑ ΜΟΝΑΧΟΥ ΧΡΙΣΤΙΑΝΙΚΗ ΤΟΠΟΓΡΑΦΙΑ, The Christian Topography of Cosmas an Egyptian Monk. London 1897 First work: EDITIO PRINCEPS of any part of Cosmas Indicopleustes’ famous Christian Topography, a major 6th-century text and the only extensive early Byzantine travel account to survive. In folio (35 × 24 cm). Unbound, as issued, originally bound together with other works in a French compilation of travel accounts published in Paris, 1664. Text entirely in Greek, some portions printed in red ink, with later French translation. Light scattered spotting; a few almost imperceptible wormholes at edges. Overall very good. Second work: First edition in English of the Christian Topography. In 4to (23 × 14 cm). Contemporary publisher’s cloth, spine sunned. Complete: [28], 385 pp. plus appendices with folding plates, taken from the original manuscript. Text clean and bright. Cosmas wrote his richly illustrated Christian Topography as a monk at Sinai, based on his travels in the Red Sea and Indian Ocean in the early 6th century. His descriptions are invaluable for historians, with evidence that he personally visited Ethiopia, the kingdom of Axum, and possibly Ceylon. The work preserves unique references to now-lost cities, inscriptions, and customs, making it one of the earliest surviving travel accounts based directly on personal observation. Both editions are very rare.