On the Editio Princeps of Statius’ Epics

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