The Neo-Latin Supplements to Virgil’s Aeneid, 1400–1700

<p>In this dissertation, I examine the Neo-Latin supplements to Virgil’s <em>Aeneid </em>(1400–1700), in particular, Pier Candido Decembrio’s <em>Liber Decimus-Tertius Eneidos </em>(1419), Maffeo Vegio’s <em>Supplementum </em>(1428), Jan van Foreest’s <em>Exequiae Turni </em>(1651), and the <em>Supplementum ad Aeneida </em>(1698) of Simonet de Villeneuve. This thesis is a contribution to the ongoing discussion surrounding the nature of classical supplementation in Neo-Latin texts. While advancing new readings of each of the supplements, I argue that previous definitions of supplementation and previous scholarly approaches to each of the Virgilian supplements are insufficient. In addition, I make available several of the supplements for the first time in English translation. ● In the Introduction, I argue for new subcategorizations of supplementation (reconstruction, correction, completion, and continuation) and I provide a methodological overview. In Chapter One, I argue that the <em>Supplementum </em>of Vegius attempts to allow the reader to recognize the sanctity of the entire <em>Aeneid </em>as a Christian poem worthy of Paul and Augustine. It is thus a <em>completion </em>of the <em>Aeneid</em>, but one that does not insist on the textual incompleteness of the <em>Aeneid</em>. In Chapter Two, I reinterpret the <em>Exequiae Turni </em>of Forestus as a true <em>continuation </em>of Virgil’s complete masterwork—one that extends Virgil’s plotline, challenges Virgil’s characters, and invents new narrative episodes, but does not offer any substantial resolution to the work it continues. In Chapter Three, I demonstrate how Villanova attempts a <em>correction </em>of Virgil’s <em>Aeneid</em>, organizing the plot-points of his <em>Supplementum ad Aeneida </em>along the lines of the prophecies in the <em>Aeneid </em>and systematically justifying each according to Aristotelian norms of composition. Appendix One reviews the incomplete <em>Liber Decimus-Tertius Eneidos </em>of Decembrius and attempts to resolve the question of its influence on Vegius’ <em>Supplementum. </em>I suggest that Decembrius’ poem may be another <em>completion </em>of the <em>Aeneid</em>, but one that lacks Vegius’ theological motivations. I include a fresh translation of the fragment in Appendix Two. Appendix Three offers the first translation of Forestus’ <em>Exequiae Turni </em>in English. Appendix Four provides the first English translation of Villanova’s <em>Supplementum ad Aeneida</em>. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Level thesis:degree_level

Open Access

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Greek, Latin, and Classical Studies

Year dc:date.available

2021

Author dc:creator

• D'Anselmi, Luca A.

• Classics

Repository record dc:identifier

https://repository.brynmawr.edu/dissertations/219

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:repository.brynmawr.edu:dissertations-1222