&lt;i&gt;Sedulius Scottus:&lt;/i&gt; De Rectoribus Christianis, &lt;i&gt;“On Christian Rulers.”&lt;/i&gt; (review)
Dean Simpson
Reviewed by: Sedulius Scottus: De Rectoribus Christianis, “On Christian Rulers.” Dean Simpson Edited and translated by R. W. Dyson. (Rochester, NY: Boydell Press. 2010. Pp. 202. $90.00. ISBN 978-1-843-83566-0.) This book is a bilingual edition, Latin English on facing pages, of one the main works Scottus, ninth-century Irish scholar poet who was active in Carolingian circles c. 850. Dyson historian political theory aiming at an audience with similar interests. A person reading to learn firsthand what Scottus wrote subject kingship will be fairly well served. However, readers study or medieval literature are engaged literary criticism need continue rely previously published text translation. The central error volume Dyson’s misapprehension character Sigmund Hellmann’s critical edition (Sedulius [Munich, 1906], pp. 1–91). He believes Hellmann did not take into account Migne, Patrologia Latina, vol. 103 (“Hellmann appears have taken no notice” [of Migne], p. 20). mistaken view supplies rationale for choosing between Migne as it suits him making small number conjectural emendations. In fact, misidentifies author date text, ascribing Spicilegium Luc D’Archery (1655–77) rather than Angelo Mai (Spicilegium Romanum, 1842), used Vatican Palatine manuscript (P). does understand that based all extant manuscripts editions Traube (MGH, Poetae Latini Aevi Carolini, 3, 1896) citations apparatus “P corr. Mai” mean Migne. Despite charging such remarkable dereliction, praises claims his (“the printed here most respects established him” [p. 21]). statement prove true. Wording, spelling, punctuation closest Mai, including copying some Migne’s errors (e.g., creseunt [poem line 6] 162 unmetrical final poem 190). preference sometimes leads reject clearly better readings. For example, prints: “Ob hoc coelestum transcurrens prata librorum/Florida congessi vobis, rex, inclyta serta” (p. 44, Preface, lines 11–12): [“To this end, passing across flowery meadows/Of heavenly books, I plucked you, O King,/Splendid wreaths”] instead caelestum rex inclite, 19) [“For reason, running through meadows gathered garlands renowned king”]. Taking florida serta preferring inclite misses Latinity word order 12 leaves under-whelming single vocative “rex.” (Similarly, compare Hellmann, 28, 23 Dyson, 64; 76, 1–4 164.) [End Page 530] Adding problem, there instances where prints but translates Hellmann: “fickleness” 159) mutabilitate 73, 14), mobilitate; “equipped” 163) ornatus 75, 9), ordinatus. Regarding translation, improve translation E. G. Doyle On Rulers Poems [Binghamton, NY, 1983]), which he considers “often unduly free” 21). literal obscure passage, however, help, seen 4–5, when writes, “Artibus egregiis sapientia Celsitonantis/Praeposuit hominem cunctis animalibus orbis.” “By excellent arts wisdom Heavenly Thunderer/Has set man over creatures world” 45) point God has given humans: “The heavenly-thunderer means before animals world.” introduction mainly surveys starting fourth...
Catholic Historical Review