The Library
1774 works catalogued century by century, from the literature the Bible was written among to the present — each with a note on what it is, why it lasted, and where to read it.
1–100
1 work
c. AD 30–45
Greek
Quod Omnis Probus Liber Sit
Philo of Alexandria · c. 20 BC – c. AD 50
A Stoic thesis argued from Jewish examples, closing with a description of the Essenes — who hold no slaves, swear no oaths, and keep no private property.
1401–1500
1 work
1486
Latin
Giovanni Pico della Mirandola · 1463–1494
God tells Adam he has no fixed place or nature, and may sink to the brutes or rise to the divine as he chooses — an opening speech for a debate never held.
1501–1600
2 works
1520
Latin
De Libertate Christiana
Martin Luther · 1483–1546
Built on a paradox — a Christian is a perfectly free lord subject to none, and a perfectly dutiful servant subject to all — worked out through faith that receives everything and love that owes everything to the neighbour.
lectures 1531; published 1535
Latin
Martin Luther · 1483–1546
Luther's own favourite among his books, on Christian freedom, the uses of the law, and the conscience that must learn to look away from itself.
1601–1700
1 work
1667; twelve-book edition 1674
English
John Milton · 1608–1674
The revolt of the angels, the creation, and the fall, written to justify the ways of God to men — and giving Satan the best speeches in the process.
5 of 1774 works