The renaissance editions of Festus
In: Acta Classica. Proceedings of the Classical Association of South Africa
Jahrgang 2017, Heft 60
S. 162 - 172
Notes on the title
Bandeinteilung
No full title for the historical-linguistic compendium of Sextus Pompeius
Festus can be found in his manuscript tradition, because the first half of the
Codex Farnesianus, the only organic witness of this work, has been missing
since it was discovered in 1457.2 Festus’ text was an abridged version of De
verborum significatu, the extensive treatise of Verrius Flaccus, and was
subsequently abridged during the early Middle Ages by Paul the Deacon in
an epitome known as De verborum significatione.3 These two titles and the
lack of a reliable formulation for Festus’ work brought about variations in
the head titles used throughout its entire editorial history.