Author: N. G. Wilson File Type: pdf Which famous poet treasured his copy of Homer, but could never learn Greek? What prompted diplomats to circulate a speech by Demosthenes in Latin translation when the Turks threatened to invade Europe? Why would enthusiastic Florentines crowd a lecture on the Roman Neoplatonist Plotinus, but underestimate the importance of Plato himself? Having all but disappeared during the Middle Ages, classical Greek would recover a position of importance eventually equal to that of classical Latin - only after a series of surprising failures, chance encounters, and false starts. This important study of the rediscovery and growing influence of classical Greek scholarship in Italy from the 14th to the early 16th centuries is brought up to date in a new edition that reflects on the recent developments in the field of classical reception studies, and contains fully up-to-date references to aid students and scholars. From a leading authority on Greek palaeography in the English-speaking world, here is a complete account of the historic rediscovery of Greek philosophy, language and literature during the Renaissance, brought up-to-date for a modern audience of classicists, historians, and students and scholars of reception studies and the Classical Tradition. **Review An essential introduction to the reception of classical Greek literature in humanist Italy It remains a pleasure and a thrill to read this book. Wilsons language is clear and concise. The author focuses on the essential but still enlivens the narrative with enjoyable and exciting anecdotes without ever losing the thread of his argument. He finds the right balance between sticking to facts and launching hypotheses on the basis of possible relations and links. In the age of companions and conference proceedings, this monograph particularly captivates thanks to the homogeneity of its contents and themes, as well as the sharpness of its focus. Bryn Mawr Classical Review This second edition of From Byzantium to Italy (the first appeared in 1992) stands as a welcome testament to this studys enduring relevance, and its updated notes evince attention to recent research concerning the most influential figures and texts All professional scholars and graduate students whose research relates to the classical tradition will find food for thought here. Similarly, advanced undergraduates, and particularly those writing theses, will profit from and enjoy this study. New England Classical Journal This book, in its new paperback format, will undoubtedly be of use to scholars of translation and graduate students as a starting point for their work on particular translators or individual works. Ancient History Bulletin An indispensable reference for any scholar interested in studying the transmission, reception and import of ancient Greek texts in Renaissance Italy With this study, Wilson shares his impressive erudition and paleographical expertise offering an exemplary model for balancing concision with wealth of examples, for sketching the broader trends and introducing minute, yet relevant details. - Classical Journal About the Author N. G. Wilson is Emeritus Fellow of Lincoln College, University of Oxford, UK. He has published widely on Greek palaeography, textual criticism and the history of classical scholarship including Scholars of Byzantium (1983), revised ed. (1996).

Author: Tariq Jaffer File Type: pdf Winner of the Award for Excellence in the Study of Religion Textual Studies from the American Academy of Religion Fakhr al-Din al-Razi (1148 - 1210) wrote prolifically in the disciplines of theology, Quranic exegesis, and philosophy. He composed treatises on jurisprudence, medicine, physiognomy, astronomy, and astrology. His body of work marks a momentous turning point in the Islamic tradition and his influence within the post-classical Islamic tradition is striking. After his death in 1210 his works became standard textbooks in Islamic institutions of higher learning. Razi investigates his transformative contributions to the Islamic intellectual tradition. One of the leading representatives of Sunni orthodoxy in medieval Islam, Razi was the first intellectual to exploit the rich heritage of ancient and Islamic philosophy to interpret the Quran. Jaffer uncovers Razis boldly unconventional intellectual aspirations. The book elucidates the development of Razis unique appropriation of methods and ideas from ancient and Islamic philosophy into a unified Quranic commentary--and consequently into the Sunni worldview. Jaffer shows that the genre of Quranic commentary in the post-classical period contains a wealth of philosophical material that is of major interest for the history of philosophical ideas in Islam and for the interaction of the aqli (rational) and naqli (traditional) sciences in Islamic civilization. Jaffer demonstrates the ways Razi reconciled the opposing intellectual trends of his milieu on major methodological conflicts. A highly original work, this book brilliantly repositions the central aims of Razis intellectual program. **