On the Editio Princeps of Statius’ Epics
71 Pages Posted: 16 May 2010 Last revised: 28 May 2010
Date Written: May 14, 2010
Abstract
The first edition of Statius’ Thebaid and Achilleid, a volume printed in 1470-71 that was largely unknown until recently, was copied from a manuscript in Carpentras. A reconstruction of the printing process finds differences from what has been induced from other incunabula: the type was not set in formes but rather the pages were printed seriatim, and two compositors were employed, with the volume being divided in half between them. Contemporary evidence shows that the edition and especially its commentary were poorly received.
Keywords: Incunabula, Codicology, History of Printing, Publius Papinius Statius, Flavius Blondus, Gaspar Blondus, Pomponius Laetus
Suggested Citation: Suggested Citation