The Oldest Manuscript Tradition of the Etymologiae (eighty years after A. E. Anspach)
Evina Steinová
The Etymologiae of Isidore Seville was one the most widely read works early Middle Ages, as is evidenced by number surviving manuscripts. August Eduard Anspach’s handlist from 1940s puts their at almost 1,200, which approximately 300 were estimated to have been copied before year 1000. This article, based on a new manuscript survey medieval manuscripts transmitting Etymologiae, brings known pre-1000 450. Of these, 84 well-preserved codices and 24 fragments contain canonical i.e., they reflect integral transmission Isidore’s work an encyclopedia, while 21 selective or non-canonical principally not encyclopedia. Due uneven survival rates it seems likely that latter accounted for perhaps much 80-90% Four formats emerge having particularly influential in Ages: separate first book ars grammatica; compilation various catechetical collections, sometimes question-and-answer form, books VI, VII, VIII Etymologiae; incorporation material V IX into law collections; segments III, V, XIII computistic manuals. suggest format emerged insular world, others are more distinctly Carolingian. Northern France northern Italy two important regional hubs copying ninth tenth centuries. While former region, seem vehicle work, latter, may influential, indicating there existed differences reception Etymologiae.
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