For this volume I have translated several works by Erasmus from Latin into English.  The main work is Erasmus’ Praise of Folly, his witty and devastating exposure of the idiocies of contemporary life in the early 1500s.  The second work is his dialogue Pope Julius barred from Heaven, in which one of the most worldly of the renaissance popes appears before the gates of Heaven and is refused admission by St Peter on grounds of his ungodliness.  Thirdly comes a scathing epigram, in which Erasmus compares Pope Julius to his namesake Julius Caesar.  Finally there is a small selection from Erasmus’ Adages, his famous annotated collection of ancient proverbs.

I have added extensive supporting material, including background on Erasmus’ life and times, a short life of Julius II , and detailed notes on the texts.

The book was first published in 2008 by Oneworld Classics, now Alma Classics, who reprinted the volume in 2013 (ISBN 978-1-84749-324-8).

Click on Books (above) for more information, and some short extracts.    Order here.