Was the Commentary on Vergil by Aelius Donatus Extant in the Ninth Century? A Reappraisal
Vittorio Remo Danovi
Abstract That the Vergilian commentary by Aelius Donatus – one of most influential late-antique commentaries that have not survived was extant in ninth century and available to some Carolingian scholars is still a widespread belief. The evidence support this thesis said been provided Harvard Servianist J. H. Savage three articles published between 1925 1931. In these articles, claimed few marginal notes ninth-century primary witnesses DS scholia, so-called ‘Vergil Tours’ (Bern, Burgerbibliothek, Ms. 165), were drawn almost directly from Donatus’ note roughly coeval Servian witness 363) information about place where copy could be found. A re-examination two manuscripts shows adduced does stand scrutiny terminus post quem for loss should antedated at least century.
Philologus