Bulletin of the John Rylands Library 99/1: The Aldine Edition of the Ancient Greek Epistolographers: Roots and Legacy

The Aldine edition of the Ancient Greek epistolographers was the first printed edition, combining medieval epistolary anthologies and printed editions. This issue explores its relationship to medieval manuscripts, printed editions, and its legacy and value for modern scholars.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 144 pages
Publication date: 28 November 2023
Publisher: Manchester University Press

This special issue of the Bulletin of the John Rylands Library is dedicated to the Aldine edition of the Ancient Greek epistolographers. Published in Venice in 1499 by Aldus Manutius, the Aldine edition was the first printed edition of most of the thirty-six Greek letter collections that it contains. As such, it embodies the intersection between the medieval epistolary anthologies that predated it and the printed editions of Greek epistolographic collections that followed, which were primarily based on its text. In recent decades, the Aldine edition has been the subject of important works, which have sought to analyze its contents and sources. This issue explores the Aldine edition from three perspectives: its relationship to the epistolary collections found in medieval manuscripts, its relationship to the printed editions that followed it, and its legacy and value for the modern scholar studying Ancient Greek epistolography.

The Aldine edition of the Ancient Greek epistolographers is a significant milestone in the history of book publishing. Published in Venice in 1499 by Aldus Manutius, it was the first printed edition of many of the thirty-six Greek letter collections it contains. This edition marked a crucial moment in the transition from medieval epistolary anthologies to printed editions of Greek epistolographic collections, which were largely based on its text.

The Aldine edition has been the subject of extensive research in recent decades, with scholars seeking to analyze its contents and sources. This issue of the Bulletin of the John Rylands Library explores the Aldine edition from three perspectives: its relationship to the epistolary collections found in medieval manuscripts, its relationship to the printed editions that followed it, and its legacy and value for the modern scholar studying Ancient Greek epistolography.

One of the key aspects of the Aldine edition is its relationship to the epistolary collections found in medieval manuscripts. The Aldine edition was a compilation of letters from various authors, including famous figures such as Plato, Aristotle, and Cicero. These letters were collected and organized by scholars during the Middle Ages and were often preserved in manuscript form. The Aldine edition provided a printed version of these letters, making them more accessible to a wider audience and allowing scholars to study them more closely.

Another important aspect of the Aldine edition is its relationship to the printed editions that followed it. The Aldine edition was followed by several other printed editions of Greek epistolographic collections, including the Elzevir edition and the Teubner edition. These editions were based on the Aldine edition and expanded its contents by adding additional letters and collections. However, they also made some changes to the text, such as correcting spelling and grammar errors and adding annotations and footnotes.

The legacy and value of the Aldine edition for the modern scholar studying Ancient Greek epistolography cannot be overstated. The edition provides a valuable source of information about the social and cultural context of the ancient world, as well as the personal and intellectual relationships between famous authors. It also sheds light on the development of the Greek letter collection as a genre of literature and the role that it played in the transmission of knowledge and ideas during the Middle Ages.

In conclusion, this special issue of the Bulletin of the John Rylands Library explores the Aldine edition of the Ancient Greek epistolographers from three perspectives: its relationship to the epistolary collections found in medieval manuscripts, its relationship to the printed editions that followed it, and its legacy and value for the modern scholar studying Ancient Greek epistolography. The edition is a significant milestone in the history of book publishing and has had a lasting impact on the study of Ancient Greek literature and culture. Its contents and sources continue to be studied and analyzed by scholars around the world, and it remains a valuable resource for anyone interested in the history and development of the Greek letter collection.

Dimension: 248 x 172 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781526174710