LUCAIN. De bello civilii, libri decem. Lyon: Symphorien Barbier pour Jean Frellon, 1562. - In-16, 115x70: 239 pp. Tan calf, gilt fillet and spandrels with foliage motif on covers, gilt arms in center, on first cover inscription "Ia Langladanus Iacobo", and on second cover "Dono dedit Savioni", richly decorated smooth spine, gilt edges (period binding). New Latin edition of Lucain's La Pharsale, preceded by a life of the author, taken from Pietro Crinito's De poetis latinis. This epic poem is divided into ten books, the first eight dealing with the war between Caesar and Pompey, the last two recounting the African and Egyptian expeditions. Fine printing in italic type by Symphorien Barbier for Jean Frellon (15..-1570). A precious, fully-regulated copy, bound in the period with the arms of the city of Geneva and bearing a gilded ex-dono on the boards: "Ia. Langladanus Iacobo. Dono dedit Savioni." The arms are accompanied by the date 1562 and the motto "Post tenebras lux", giving this copy a major historical and symbolic dimension. "Ia. Langladanus Iacobo. Dono dedit Savioni." indicates that the book was a gift from Jacobus Langladanus to a certain Savion, probably a student, pastor or scholar with ties to Geneva. "Post tenebras lux" ("After the darkness, the light") was the emblematic motto of the Protestant Reformation, illustrating the spiritual rebirth advocated by Calvin: the rediscovery of evangelical purity after the "obscurities" of medieval tradition. These elements - the arms of Geneva, the Calvinist motto and the date 1562 - strongly suggest that this copy originated from the Académie de Genève (founded in 1559 by Jean Calvin), the flagship institution of the Reformation for training Protestant pastors and intellectual elites. The book could thus have been given as a reward or gift to Savion, a student or member of this learned community. Inside is another ex-dono dated August 20, 1620, in a mixture of Latin and Greek, in which a certain Joannes Seva gives this book to D. Tamonio or Gamonio as a token of a deep and lasting friendship. Very skilful and discreet restorations at the bottom of the spine and at the corners. Discreet trace of wetness on the second cover. Without original ties. Some soiling inside. Provenance: Académie de Genève. - Savion, with ex-dono on the binding. - D. Tamonio or Gamonio, with handwritten ex-dono and signature on title.