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Tractatus Theologico-Politicus

Benedict de Spinoza

An English translation of Spinoza's Theological-Political Treatise, scanned from the Asiatic Society of Mumbai library.

This is a later English translation of Spinoza's own treatise, showing the global reach of his written work.

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Back cover of a brown cloth-bound book with a white barcode label reading 00059094 and a cream label reading 'NOT TO BE ISSUED OUT OF THE LIBRARY.' The cover shows faint stains and marks.
Spinoza, Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, English translation. Asiatic Society of Mumbai.

About this source

What it is

This is a scanned library copy of an English translation of Spinoza's Tractatus Theologico-Politicus, held by the Asiatic Society of Mumbai. The image shown is the book's back cover, with library labels and a barcode.

Why it matters

The original treatise, written by Spinoza, argued for freedom of thought and the separation of religious and political authority. It was controversial in its time and banned in several places. This copy shows how his ideas travelled far beyond Europe, ending up catalogued in a library collection in India.

Look closer

  • What can a library label and barcode tell you about how a book has been preserved and used?
  • Why might this translation matter to readers far from where Spinoza lived?
  • What does the plain cover suggest about this book compared to a decorated first edition?

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 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.Book

Primary source

Opera Posthuma

Benedictus de Spinoza · 1677

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

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