Translations in the making. Studies in medieval Latin versions of Greek texts and their manuscripts
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"Translations in the making. Studies in medieval Latin versions of Greek texts and their manuscripts" Riccardo Macchioro, Università degli Studi di Milano
Abstract
The translations of Greek works into Latin carried out during the Middle Ages form a huge corpus of texts, still far from being exhaustively investigated. Within this framework, two specific case studies demonstrate how particular manuscript evidence, such as fragments and glosses, is able to bring us very close to the translator’s working desk, and allow us to look at the version in its crafting.
The first case study focuses on the Latin translation of Cyril of Skythopolis’ Life of the abbot Saba, which is transmitted in a majestic manuscript held at the Vatican Library. However, only a tiny fragment retrieved in another, much more neglected codex unveils unexpected details about the genesis of this work. The second case study deals with the most prolific translator of the 12th century, Burgundio of Pisa. With Burgundio, marginal annotations take centre stage, since in-depth analyses of them shed light on Burgundio’s authorship of some patristic translations as well as on his working methods.
Moreover, the later transmission of Burgundio’s work showcases the importance of also studying glosses in order to draw a reliable picture of the reception of medieval translations from the Greek.