Carolingian Scholarship and Martianus Capella: Ninth-Century Commentary Traditions on 'De nuptiis' in Context ed. by Mariken Teeuwen and Sinead O'Sullivan
David Daintree
Reviewed by: Carolingian Scholarship and Martianus Capella: Ninth-Century Commentary Traditions on 'De nuptiis' in Context ed. by Mariken Teeuwen Sinead O'Sullivan David Daintree Teeuwen, , eds, (Cultural Encounters Late Antiquity the Middle Ages, 12), Brepols, Turnhout, 2011; hardback; pp. viii, 396; 17 b/w figures; R.R.P. €90.00; ISBN 9782503531786. This is a collection of fourteen papers derived from conference, organised 2008, that considered aspects scholia glosses associated with ninth-century transmission Capella's De nuptiis. The preceded useful lucid Introduction herself. book eminently readable its own right, for team authors assembled strong distinguished one, but there sense which it might be regarded as no more than comprehensive series footnotes to much larger enterprise. Six years before conference took place, began her 'Martianus Project', development digital tool called eLaborate, aim was facilitate 'collaborative transcribing [End Page 234] editing texts'. I recommend visit project's web site at <http://martianus.huygens.knaw.nl> reading this review further. Readers who will discover an exciting new approach commentary, most elusive, fugacious, insubstantial branch ancient medieval literature. Here kind apotheosis Wikipedia article: offers reader all available information invites contributions those scholars wish take part workshop Cloud! It also discloses high degree scholarly cooperativeness: engaged another field research when she heard Teeuwen's work agreed join forces. Most works have been, past, quite literally closed books: scholar or write their book, print it, wait (for months probably years) see what reception receives. Nowadays - surely one genuine blessings internet age 'book' such progress, over world, already unknown, can make contributions. fitting should adopted commentary. clearly recognises commentaries cannot rather something akin growing organism, whose component parts been invented, borrowed, transcribed (sometimes inaccurately) many hands. Only set printed does assume appearance not, finished integrated literary work. summarises thus: 'the search single author abandoned, since gloss tradition shows characteristics being multiple … nature reconsidered viewed outside old frames schoolbook discussion' (p. 5). Much admires diligence intelligence great nineteenth century, doubt commentary flawed perception 'author' behind each collection. Having formerly edited Virgil, found particularly exciting. recall difficulty explaining well has succinctly done. invention modern volume taught us books final objects, productions scholarship, like think (or least hope) last word subject. worked manuscripts appreciate how little respect (in sense) past had written word. strange paradox: were vastly expensive precious they are today; yet nobody hesitated draw margins, disagree with...
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