Nouvelle acquisition : Understanding hagiography : studies in the textual transmission of early medieval saints’ lives
FARMHOUSE ALBERTO Paulo (ed.), CHIESA Palo (ed.), GOULLET Monique (ed.)
Understanding hagiography : studies in the textual transmission of early medieval saints’ lives
Firenze : Sismel-edizioni del Galluzzo, 2020, VIII-406 p.
Collection Quaderni di “Hagiographica” ; 17
ISBN 978-88-8450-960-4
HMA 512
This book contains eighteen essays devoted to the transmission and edition of hagiographical texts, covering both theoretical aspects and the material dimension of manuscripts and textual history. The first section includes methodologica reflections on editing hagiographical texts, on the role of hagiography in medieval society, on the task of writing the life and miracles of a particular saint, balancing truth and literary freedom, on the response of the public. The second section includes thirteen case histories concerning textual transmission and editorial rpoblems of Vitae written in Greek and in Latin. The cases embrace a wide range of cultures and regions, from the eastern Mediterranéen to Spain, over a time span from Late Antiquity to the eleventh century, and encompass hagiographical texts of various types. These studies can provide methodological examples and stimulate discussion on how to study and edit hagiographical texts today.