History of Classical Scholarship: From the Beginnings to the End of the Hellenistic Age (Oxford University Press academic monograph reprints)

311 Pages·1968·0.65 MB·English

by  Rudolph Pfeiffer

HISTORY OF
CLASSICAL
SCHOLARSHIP
F R OM T HE B E G I N N I NG
TO T HE E ND OF T HE
H E L L E N I S T IC A GE
R. PFEIFFER
OXFORD
THIS volume is concerned with the founda
tions laid by Greek poets and scholars in the
last three centuries RC. for the whole future of
classical scholarship. It starts with a brief sur
vey Of the pre-Hellenistic ages in Greece and
a few hints ai the oriental background. Then
the author makes full use of the available
evidence, especially thai of the papyri, to
demonstrate the fresh start made by
Hellenistic poets after 300 BC and to describe
the essential achievements of five generations
of creative scholars in Alexandria and of their
cpigoni down to the age of Augustus.
Rudolf Pfeiffer (1889 1979) was Professor
of Greek at Hamburg (1923) and Freiburg
(1928) Universities, then Fellow of Corpus
Christi College, Oxford from 1938 to 1951.
Other publications include a complete edi
tion of Callimachus.
OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS
1
.r.
."l
HISTORY OF
CLASSICAL SCHOLARSHIP
H I S T O RY OF
CLASSICAL
SCHOLARSHIP
FROM T HE BEGINNINGS TO
THE END OF
THE HELLENISTIC AGE
R U D O LF P F E I F F ER
O X F O RD
AT T HE C L A R E N D ON PRESS
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P R E F A CE
AN enterprise like this History though adventurous and lengthy needs
only a brief and modest prologue. For the undertaking as a whole must
justify itself without introductory recommendations and preparatory
arguments; apologies for its deficiencies would have no end.
Nobody will deny to scholarship, whether in its highest or in its hum
blest form, its own right, and as long as one carries on the daily work
of interpretation, of textual criticism, of historical reconstruction one
may expect approval; but to turn from that activity to reflection upon
the past of scholarship and upon the scholars of bygone days may be
deemed inopportune and unnecessary. Yet, if such scepticism is by any
means to be converted, it will surely be by confrontation with the very
facts of history; and to make the important facts visible in their his
torical perspective is precisely our purpose. For it was in the course of
time and the succession of peoples and generations that the full nature
and the many forms of scholarship were revealed. The history of clas
sical scholarship, therefore, is classical scholarship in the making. And
a book reconstructing its history under this aspect can claim to be regar
ded as an integral part of scholarship itself. We say 'important facts',
because it is obvious that we do not want to know what is obsolete and
past for ever, but what is still enduring; we want to explore the con
tinuity of knowledge, the philologia perennis.
This continuity was maintained not only by the intellectual power of
great scholars, but equally by their moral principles of absolute honesty
and unremitting patience in the pursuit of truth. In deference to these
principles I have made it my task to collect and interpret as far as
possible all the primary evidence from the original sources; the most
relevant passages will be found in the text, not in the notes. For that
and other reasons this is hardly a bedside book about the lives and works
of scholars, enlivened with anecdotes and jokes. Biographical data,
though by no means disregarded, are confined within proper limits.
I have inevitably been able to give only a small selection of modern
secondary literature, and I may often have been at fault in selecting
the wrong references; but I am not quite ignorant of all the books which
I have not quoted. Furthermore, I have not attempted in every case to
picture what dons call the 'background*, but only when the general
viii Preface Preface ix
ideas and events of the time exercised a strong influence on scholars or who was a classical scholar, a profound philosopher, and a far-sighted
even changed the course of scholarship. historian as well, gave a very noble sketch in a few pages of his En-
A history of scholarship should draw attention to what was new and tyklopadie und Methodologie derphilologiscken Wissenschaften (published after
fruitful, distinguish error from truth, and the opinion of the passing his death, second edition 1886, pp. 300-9). A quite individual and bril
day from that true knowledge which lasts for ever, that is, as we said, liant survey was contributed by Wilamowitz in 1921 to the Einleitung
'perennial'. But the dearth of preparatory studies of single problems, in die Altertumswissensckqft, 'Geschichte der Philologie* (thirdedition 1927,
based on full documentary evidence, is an obstacle to the achievement reprinted i960); it is a very subjective review of classical scholars made
of such an ambitious goal. I shall sound a warning whenever I feel by a great master who calls up the dead heroes of the past from the
completely incompetent; and as I used the epithet Adventurous' in the other world and praises or blames them. Wilamowitz acknowledged a
first sentence of this preface, I sincerely hope the book will be under debt to the lectures of Otto Jahn; but he seems to have written a good
stood and accepted in this light. deal of his History from memory, a stupendous but not unfailing memory.
So still more weight should be given to the sections devoted to ancient
There have, of course, been earlier attempts in this field since the
days of Henri Etienne who wrote in 1587 De criticis veteribus Graecis et and modern scholars in his many books on Greek authors than to this
Latinis. But only one really comprehensive book exists: J. E. Sandys, brief general account of eighty pages.
A History of Classical Scholarship, in three volumes of 1,629 pages. Ad I cannot refrain—pace Wilamowitz—from mentioning Friedrich
miration is mixed with envy when one learns from Sandys's biographer1 Nietzsche, RitschFs favourite pupil, in this connexion; at the age of
that he started to write the History on 1 January 1900, had the first twenty-four he seriously considered writing 'Eine Geschichte der litera¬
volume published by the Cambridge University Press in 1903 (second rischen Studien im Altertum und in der Neuzeit'. He wanted to find
edition 1906, third edition 1921) and the second and third volumes in out the general ideas that had influenced the study of antiquity and to
1908; the three volumes were reprinted in Boston in 1958. Even though demonstrate the links between classical scholarship and the dominant
out of date in many respects, this standard work will always remain an philosophy of every age. There are some remarkable notes on this sub
indispensable reference book, and no subsequent writer on the same sub ject1 in his letters and papers between 1867 and 1871, but, of course,
ject can fail to be grateful for the range and thoroughness of its material. he did not work it out, but made his way towards his own fatal philo
But, as a whole, Sandys's work is rather a catalogue of classical scholars, sophy. About the same time an English classical scholar who had his
century by century, nation by nation, and book by book than a real own ideas about scholarship and the functions of a university, Mark
history of scholarship itself; there is no leading idea, no coherent struc Pattison, conceived the plan of writing the history of learning from the
ture, no sober discrimination between the transient and the perennial. Renaissance onwards.2 In the end he completed only fragments; but,
G. Funaioli, 'Lineamenti d'una storia della filología attraverso i secoli',2 in spite of his well-known religious bias, these fragments, especially on
is much more compressed even than Sandys's Short History, but the the great French scholars of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries,
material is presented in a lively personal style. A. Gudeman's Outlines are exemplary, because his studies in detail are always informed by
of the History of Classical Scholarship (last edition Boston 1902), much en an awareness of the history of scholarship as a whole. In our own days
larged in the German edition Grundriss der Geschichte der klassischen Philo no one has devoted and is devoting more thought and labour to his
logie (1909 2nd edition) is only bibliographical; brought up to date and torical problems of classical studies than Arnaldo Momigliano. Though
pruned of its inaccuracies, it could be a useful tool for further research. his emphasis is, of course, on the study of ancient history and most of
Besides these factual surveys there are a few sketches by great scholars his contributions deal with scholars and writings of modern times, the
which are strong just where we found Sandys wanting: they convey universal range of the author's ideas and knowledge justifies the title
general ideas, are discriminating, suggestive, stimulating. A. Bôckh, of his collected essays: Contributo alia storia degli studi classici.3
1 N. G. L. Hammond, Sir John E. Sandys (1844.-1922) Cambridge 1935, pp. 80 ff. Sandys 1 F.Nietzsche, Werke und Brief'e, Historisch-kritische Gesamtausgabe; Werke r (1934) pp.cxxf.,
compressed the subject-matter of his monumental work into one volume for the classical student 3 (*935) 319 ff.) 440 with references to manuscripts and earlier editions.
and the general reader in his Short History of Classical Scholarskipt 1915. 1 Memoirs (i 885) 319 ff. Essays (1889) on the Stephani, Scaliger, etc.
2 Studi di Letteratura antica I (1948) 185-364. 3 1 0955))11 (I9^°) i sce raP-11 463-80 'L'eredita della filologia antica e il metodo storico'
x Preface Preface xi
This is a personal selection of books which I have found not only references. The Bayerische Akademie der Wissenschaften and the
instructive, but inspiring; lectures, speeches, and papers are excluded. British Academy were kind enough to vote me annual grants towards
The present volume is concerned with the foundations laid by Greek the considerable expenses arising from this permanent assistance. Three
poets and scholars in the last three centuries B.C. for the whole future of Munich libraries, the Bavarian State Library, the University Library,
classical scholarship. It starts with a brief survey of the pre-Hellenistic and the Library of the Seminar fur klassische Philologie, as well as the
ages in Greece and a few hints at the oriental background. But then Bodleian Library during my annual visits to Oxford, were liberal in
full use is made of the available evidence, especially that of the papyri, granting me every facility. It is impossible to mention by name the many
to demonstrate the fresh start made by Hellenistic poets after 300 B.C. Oxford and Munich friends from whose discussions I have profited
and to describe the essential achievements of five generations of creative through all these years; but there is one to whom I owe more than
scholars in Alexandria and of their epigoni down to the age of Augustus. can be expressed by words, Eduard Fraenkel. Everyone who is familiar
By the singular courtesy of Mr. P. M. Fraser I was allowed to read with his books and reviews knows how intimately he is acquainted with
parts of his forthcoming comprehensive work on Ptolemaic Alexandria in the scholarly tradition; generous with advice whenever asked for it, he
typescript; I thank him most warmly for this privilege which has saved was also a constant driving force behind the scenes.
me from a variety of errors.
The draft of every chapter was read by Mr. J. K. Cordy of the Claren
The Alexandrian scholar poets are our ancestors, and we should at don Press. With unfailing patience and courtesy he smoothed out or,
least try not to be unworthy of this noble ancestry. 'The historian must more often, reshaped my English; for this competent and generous help
become old in order to develop his art to the full5 is one of Ranke's he deserves the profound gratitude of the author and of the reader. I am
maxims; this is particularly true of the historian of scholarship. Only indebted to the skill and vigilance of the Printers, especially of the
one who has practised scholarship all his life should dare to write about Reader, and in the reading of the proofs I enjoyed the help of an ex
its history. As soon as the second volume of Gallimachus was published perienced scholar, my colleague Professor Max Treu, and, during his
in 1953 by the Clarendon Press, I submitted to the Delegates a proposal absence in Greece, of my pupil Dr. Rudolf Fiihrer. I started this sec
for a History of Classical Scholarship. tion of the preface with my thanks to the Delegates of the Clarendon
*De non interrumpendo per aetatem studio' is the subject of one of Press; I finish it with my particular thanks to the Secretary to the
Petrarch's latest and most sympathetic 'Lettere senili'.1 Boccaccio was Delegates, Mr. C. H. Roberts, for his encouraging interest and persistent
worried about Petrarch's continuously working too much for his age; support.
but his old friend and master replied that there is no reason to abandon My first publication in 1914 bears the dedication 'Uxori carissimae
study because of old age, and reminded him of the saying of Ecclesi- sacrum'. I renew the words of the dedication with still deeper feeling
asticus 18. 6: 'Cum consummaverit homo tunc incipiet.' I have at least for all that she has done for me in the course of more than half a century.
attempted to take this advice and shall always be deeply grateful that
the Delegates immediately and graciously responded to my appeal. But
I advanced only 'testudíneo gradu', until I could retire to work in a
sort of clausura and obtained the necessary secretarial help. I was very
fortunate to find the assistance of a young classical scholar, Mr. S, E.
Arnold, who is now, while preparing his doctorate, in the service of the
Bavarian State Library; indefatigable and efficient, he helped me in
many ways: arranging the vast amount of material collected through
decades, making a careful typescript, and checking the innumerable
(with bibliography). A third volume of the Contribute and the publication of the Sather Classical
Lectures of 1961 are in prospect.
1 Rer. sen. libr. xvit 2; reprinted in Petrarca 'Prose', La Letteratura Italiana, Storia e Tesii 7
(1955) * 156.
C O N T E N TS
PART ONE
PREHISTORY OF GREEK SCHOLARSHIP
I. POETS, RHAPSODES, PHILOSOPHERS FROM THE
EIGHTH TO THE FIFTH CENTURIES
Scholarship not a separate discipline before the third century B.C. Survey of
preliminary stages. The epic poet as his own interpreter. The attempt of
the rhapsodes at continuing this self-interpretation. Xenophanes, rhapsode
and philosopher, and the beginning of moral criticism. Theagenes the
defender of Homer by physical allegory. No grammatical system of'cases*
behind the artistry of lyric poets in the seventh and sixth centuries. Poets
as interpreters in the early Attic comedy.
II. THE SOPHISTS, THEIR CONTEMPORARIES, AND
PUPILS IN THE FIFTH AND FOURTH CENTURIES
Intermediary position of the Sophists: heirs of the rhapsodes, teachers of
the future generations. The Sophists and the book. Short retrospect on the
oriental background: archives and libraries in Mesopotamia from the third
millennium onwards. Technical devices for writing from the East to
Greece. The earliest Minoan-Mycenaean script. The Phoenician script.
The new Greek alphabet. From oral composition and tradition to the
written word and the reader of books. The part of the Sophists in this
process, and the Socratic-Pl atonic opposition. Individual achievements
of the Sophists and their contemporaries: Protagoras, Prodicus; Demo-
critus* Movaitcd, and Herodotus on literature and language; Gorgias,
Hippias, Critias.
III. THE MASTERS OF PHILOSOPHY IN ATHENS:
SOCRATES, PLATO, ARISTOTLE
A conscious new method opposed to the empirical approach of the
Sophists. Plato's sceptical attitude to poetry itself, and to the efforts of
interpretation and literary criticism. Problems of language the central
theme of the Cratylus. Study of language not hrurT^^q. Plato and the
Academy. First large private library. Aristotle not the 'creator* of classical
scholarship. Teleology as central idea, prior to empirical research.
Aristotle neither editor nor interpreter. The rational order in literary art;
permanent control of philosophical concepts by the analysis of reality.
Some new fundamental linguistic terms; no separate branch of grammar.
Antiquarian research in the grand manner with the assistance of pupils.
XIV Contents Contents xv
PART TWO colometry and strophic structure. Hypotheses to his text of tragedies and
comedies. Great lexicographical studies, based on his own editions, and
THE HELLENISTIC AGE formal grammatical inquiries, ancillary to his editorial work. Selective
list of the foremost authors.
I. THE RISE OF SCHOLARSHIP IN ALEXANDRIA 87
Aristotle belonged to the world of the Greek city-state with its cultural VI. ARISTARCHUS: THE ART OF INTERPRETATION 210
unity; its disintegration, the split-up of Alexander's empire, and the Callistratus and other ftpioTotfxxvtuH. Aristarchus, the Ptolemies, the great
establishment of new monarchies.
crisis of 145/4 B.C. Running commentaries and monographs on Greek poetry
A new generation of poets conscious of a definitive break, making a fresh
from Homer to Aristophanes, also critical editions of the Homeric and
start. From the revival of poetry to the preservation of the ancient literary
Other poems; critical signs the link between text and commentary. The
heritage. Philitas' historical position : the first scholar poet of artistic perfec
first commentary on prose writers, Herodotus and possibly Thucydides.
tion, tutor to Ptolemy II, teacher of Zenodotus, the grammarian. Alexan
No authentic maxim of Aristarchus on the principle of interpretation.
dria the cultural centre; meeting-place of the new poetical movement with
General grammatical and metrical observations in the course of the
the Peripatetic tradition from Athens. The organizations in the new
exegetical work. Literary criticism.
capital: the Ptolemies and their helpers; the Museum and the Libraries.
The 'bookish' age and its problems.
VII. PERGAMUM. SCHOLARSHIP AND PHILOSOPHY.
II. ZENODOTUS AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES 105 A NEW ANTIQUARIANISM *34
The Attalids and the cultural life of Pergamum; library, parchment.
Zenodotus the first Homeric scholar and librarian; the poets Lycophron
and Alexander Aetolus as revisers of the comic and tragic texts. Zenodotus' Crates of Mallos, Stoic allegorist and cosmologist; two monographs on
text of Homer usually based on documentary evidence; the first critical Homer; opposition to Aristarchus. The definite place of linguistic
symbol; no authentic tradition about the reasons for his alterations and studies in the system of Stoic philosophy; grammatical rules and terms
omissions. Editions of Hesiod and of lyric poets. Glossary, but no com strictly fixed. Crates' mission to Rome in 168 B.C. Writers on antiquities:
mentary. The tragic Pleiad. Lycophron's Alexandra. Aratus, the poet of Antigonus of Carystus, Polemo of Ilium, called aTT)\oKoira$, Deme
the Phaenomena, as Homeric scholar. trius of Scepsis.
III. CALLIMACHUS AND THE GENERATION OF HIS VIII. THE EPIGONI: FROM ARISTARCHUS' PUPILS
PUPILS 123 TO DIDYMUS 252
Cyrene and Egypt. The complete unity of creative poet and reflective Dissemination and renewal of scholarship in the whole Greek world after
scholar in Callimachus. His insistence on drawing from the original pure the Alexandrian crisis of 145/4 B-c- Apollodorus of Athens: Chronicle in
sources. The general TIivaKeç of the great library the model for all ages. iambic verse, new system of dating; monograph on the Homeric Catalogue
The TToXviiaQir) of his prose books on antiquities, on language, and on of Ships a description of heroic Greece with explication of local names;
anuVAristotelian literary criticism. Elements of interpretation in his poems books 'On Gods' a study of Homeric religion with analysis of proper
and learned writings. Apollonius Rhodius, the poet of the Argonautiea, in names; minor works on Attic and Doric comedy and on mimes.
his relation to Callimachus; as a scholar he provided the first example of
Dionysius Thrax, teacher at Rhodes; influence on Rome. Interpretation
Hellenistic /7ep£-literature, foreshadowing later commentaries. Rhianus*
of Homer, other commentaries and treatises. The problem of the TVjfWJ
local epics and critical editions of Homer. Separation of scholarship from
ypaftfiartK-q under his name: its authenticity and its arrangement in the
poetry in the second half of the third century : the poetical mannerism of
Byzantine manuscripts. Technical grammar the latest achievement of
Euphorion and the learned compilations of the Callimacheans, Hermippus,
Hellenistic scholarship. Tyrannion of Amisos, Asclepiades of Myrlea,
Istros, Philostephanus, and of the Peripatetic Satyrus.
Philoxenus of Alexandria; their grammatical writings, their relations to
Rome. Didymus of Alexandria compiler of commentaries on Greek poets,
IV. SCIENCE AND SCHOLARSHIP: ERATOSTHENES 152
historians, and orators and of comic and tragic lexica; moved by love of
The first union of science and scholarship in Eratosthenes; his friendship
learning to preserve the scholarly heritage of the Hellenistic age.
with Archimedes. <f>i\o\oyos the new term for his universality. Treatise on
Attic comedy; critical chronology; mathematical geography; Homeric
EXCURSUSES 280
geography; catalogue of constellations. Poetry a parergon.
V. ALEXANDRIAN SCHOLARSHIP AT ITS HEIGHT: ADDENDA 287
ARISTOPHANES OF BYZANTIUM 171
Aristophanes neither poet nor scientist. Critical text of Homer and Hesiod INDEXES 291
with critical signs, punctuation, accentuation. Edition of the lyric poets;