John Scottus and Greek Mythology: Reprising an Ancient Hermeneutic in the Paris Commentary on Martianus Capella
Michael W. Herren
The essay opens with a brief discussion of Martianus Capella’s De nuptiis Philologiae et Mercurii, and sets out some possible reasons for its popularity medieval scholars. was known in Ireland by the seventh century, John Scottus Eriugena might have read it there. In any case, he wrote two versions commentary on work, longer which (P = Paris, BnF, MS lat. 12960) is considerably more interesting exegetical method. allegoresis secular texts had been largely neglected since Fulgentius (sixth century), only reprised diffuse tradition that preceded Eriugena’s study text. However, P appears to be working towards sophisticated system embodies what author himself calls “the laws allegory.” employs terms fabulose physice (“in mythical sense”and “in physical sense”), which, as argued, correspond Neoplatonic psychological Stoic respectively. Although appear similar those used Augustine civitate Dei (drawing Varro), uses them differently. source his terminology remains problematic, though one speculate use Greek work.
The Journal of medieval Latin