The mechanism of perception of an antique text by a medieval author (based on Macrobius and P. Abelard's texts)

M.S. Petrova

Institute of World History, Russian Academy of Sciences, Moscow, 119334 Russia

E-mail: beionyt@mail.ru

Received December 11, 2020

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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DOI: 10.26907/2541-7738.2021.3.164-174

For citation: Petrova M.S. The mechanism of perception of an antique text by a medieval author (based on Macrobius and P. Abelard’s texts). Uchenye Zapiski Kazanskogo Universiteta. Seriya Gumanitarnye Nauki, 2021, vol. 163, no. 3, pp. 164–174. doi: 10.26907/2541-7738.2021.3.164-174. (In Russian)

Abstract

The texts of Peter Abelard (1079‑1142), usually mentioned among the medieval authors who were influenced by Ambrosius Theodosius Macrobius’ “Commentary on the 'Dream of Scipio'” (5th c.), are analyzed. The passages from Peter Abelard’s works (“Dialogus inter philosophum”, “Epitome theologiae christianae”, “Introductio ad theologiam” etc.), which contain quotations, lexical and thematic similarities with Macrobius’ “Commentary on the ‘Dream of Scipio’ ” are under consideration, as well as the mentions of the title of this work or the name of Macrobius. Peter Abelard’s level of knowledge and degree of use of Macrobius’ text are revealed. The influence exerted by Macrobius on Peter Abelard is determined. Based on the results obtained, it is concluded that, in contrast to the opinion widespread in science, it hardly makes sense to talk about the tangible influence of Macrobius’ “Commentary on the 'Dream of Scipio'” on Peter Abelard. Rather, it should be assumed that the ideas perceived by the medieval scholar and reflected in his texts went back to Macrobius as well. Under the influence exerted by Macrobius’ “Commentary on the 'Dream of Scipio'” on Peter Abelard one should mean both his knowledge about Macrobius himself and his work and the varying degree of his use of this treatise.

Keywords: Middle Ages, text, composition, influence, similarity, tradition

References

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