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Opera Posthuma

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1677

The 1677 Latin collection rushed into print by Spinoza's friends after his death, bringing together the Ethics, the Political Treatise, his letters and his Hebrew grammar.

This posthumous collection, assembled by Spinoza's friends, preserved and first published most of his major writings.

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Title page of a book. At top: 'B. D. S.' Large capitals below read 'OPERA POSTHUMA,' followed by italic Latin text 'Quorum series post Praefationem exhibetur.' A small woodcut ornament of fruit and ribbons sits in the middle, and at the bottom is the date 'MDCLXXVII' written as 'CIO IC CLXXVII' style Roman numerals.
Benedictus de Spinoza, Opera Posthuma, 1677.

About this source

What it is

The Opera Posthuma is a Latin edition of Spinoza's works published by his friends shortly after his death in 1677. It gathered together the Ethics, the Political Treatise, his letters, and his unfinished Hebrew grammar, released without the author's full name on the title page out of caution.

Why it matters

Because Spinoza published little during his life to avoid persecution, this collection was how most of his major philosophical work first reached the public. His friends took a real risk in publishing it, showing the loyalty and intellectual circle he had built, and also showing how dangerous his ideas were considered at the time.

Look closer

  • Why might Spinoza's friends have chosen not to print his full name on the title page?
  • What does the timing — just months after his death — tell you about the urgency his friends felt?
  • What works were gathered here, and why might grouping them together matter for how later readers understood Spinoza?

This book is part of the curated material that grounds the AI version of Baruch Spinoza on Humy.ai — when students ask about related events, the AI can quote it and cite it.

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Title page of Spinoza's Ethica in Latin. Large capital letters read ETHICA, followed by 'Ordine Geometrico demonstrata, ET In quinque Partes distincta, in quibus agitur', then a list of five parts numbered I to V with Latin titles.Book

Primary source

Ethics

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1677 (written 1661-1675)

Title page of the Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, printed in black letter-style serif type with a handwritten inscription 'Auctore Benedicto de Spinoza' and an ornamental woodcut at the bottom, imprint reading Hamburgi, Apud Henricum Kuhrabt, 1670.Book

Primary source

Tractatus Theologico-Politicus

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1670

Oil painting of a man with long dark curly hair, wearing a dark coat and a large white collar, against a dark brown background. He looks toward the viewer with a calm expression.Painting

Primary source

Portrait of Benedictus de Spinoza

Unknown · c. 1665

Title page of a 1677 book in Latin. Large capitals read EPISTOLAE, followed by DOCTORUM QUORUNDAM VIRORUM, AD B. D. S. ET AUCTORIS RESPONSIONES, and a line about elucidating other works. Faded text from another page shows through in the background.Letter

Primary source

Epistolae, Correspondence of Benedict de Spinoza

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1661-1676, published 1677

Open handwritten manuscript on aged, browned paper with ink text in dense cursive lines across both pages, the left page torn at its upper and lower edges. Text is in Latin script, with bold headings and marginal notes.Document

Primary source

Vatican Manuscript of Spinoza's Ethics

Pieter van Gent (copyist), after Benedictus de Spinoza · c. 1675

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