Claudius Aelianus: a Case Study from the Imperial Period on Ancient Quotation practices

• Applicant: Privatdozentin Dr. Alexandra Trachsel
• Subject Area: Greek and Latin Philology
• Term: from 2016 to 2022
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 341510626

The project focuses on the quotations and quotation practices used by Claudius Aelianus, a scholar living in Praeneste during the 2nd/3rd century CE. This author is particularly relevant for the intended study. The two works he composed (the Varia Historia and De Natura Animalium) will indeed provide a promising case study, as their can be used for the analysis of the quotation practices, while also being examined as an example of a literary form of expression (miscellaneous compilations), which received more attention in recent years. For both aspects recent studies, especially those focusing on quotation practices and those from the field of Digital Humanities have developed new methodological approaches, which will be of considerable importance for the planed study.The aim of the study is threefold: first, by building on the new interest in Claudius Aelianus, the study deepens, with its focus on his quotation practice, our understand of the creative achievements of this author and helps to define the peculiarities of his position among the other authors composing miscellaneous works. Secondly, the analysis will also provide a substantial contribution about quoting practices in Antiquity, which is currently a much discussed research topic in the field of Classics. Finally, while focusing on the quotations as a means of transmitting knowledge, the research also addresses issues, which are fundamental when dealing with fragmentarily preserved texts. Indeed it has repeatedly be stated that for the establishing of edition of fragmentarily preserved text, the analysis of the quotations, through which many of the witnesses from these lost works are preserved, should be more taken into account.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants