Petri Costalii De pace carmen

Published in 1559 by Annet Briere in Lyon, 'De pace carmen' is a Latin poem composed by the French jurist and humanist Pierre Coustau. The work was written during a period of significant geopolitical tension in mid-16th century Europe, reflecting the intellectual preoccupation with securing lasting peace amidst the intermittent conflicts of the era. Coustau, who was deeply embedded in the legal and literary circles of Lyon, utilized the classical form of the poem to articulate civic ideals and philosophical reflections on harmony.

The volume is emblematic of the mid-Renaissance scholarly output in Lyon, a city that served as a major hub for printing and humanistic study. Designed in the tradition of 16th-century poetic pamphlets, the typography and layout reflect the standard aesthetic of Briere's press, which catered to an audience of educated readers and jurists. While Coustau is perhaps better known for his 'Adversaria' and his commentary on the 'Pegma', this specific work remains a notable example of the epideictic poetry favored by humanists to address the public crises of their day.