A Footnote on Libraries: The Challenge of Preservation and Epitomes

The frustration of encountering large portions of ancient Roman historical works only in epitomes is a well-known lament among scholars and history enthusiasts. These abridged versions, whether ancient or medieval, often represent the sole remnants of once comprehensive texts. The drivers behind the creation of epitomes are multifaceted, but a significant factor was the practical necessity dictated by the physical condition of the books themselves.

Galen's testimony regarding the mixed condition of the contents in the imperial libraries on the Palatine is a case in point. He describes libraries where precious volumes were often damaged, incomplete, or in a state of disrepair. This condition made the task of preservation and accessibility a challenging one, pushing scholars and librarians towards creating epitomes to ensure the survival of the essential content.

An illuminating example comes from the 4th-century mathematician Pappus of Alexandria. In his work on Heron of Alexandria's Mechanica, Pappus justifies his creation of an epitome by highlighting the dire state of the original texts he encountered:

"So much for the hoisting winch. The above-mentioned five simple machines we want to discuss briefly according to Heron's writings, adding for the instruction of the studious also the sections on the cranes with one, two, three, and four masts, which we necessarily mentioned so that the one who is looking for books in which this is written does not get into perplexity. For we, too, have come across copies that are often ruined, lacking both beginnings and endings."

[..μη ποτε και των βιβλιων εν οις ταυτα γεγραπται απορια γενηται τω ζητουντι. και γαρ ημεις κατα πολλα μερη διεφθαρμενοις ενετυχομεν αναρχοις τε και ατελεσι βιβλιοις]
(Pappus 8.1114 ff., own translation)*

This passage from Pappus highlights the practical challenges faced by ancient scholars. They often had to work with texts that were physically compromised, forcing them to create epitomes to ensure the continuity of knowledge. These epitomes served not only as instructional aids but also as a means to preserve the core content of texts that were otherwise in peril of being lost to time.

The practice of creating epitomes was not unique to Pappus or to the Roman period. It was a widespread solution to a problem that persisted throughout antiquity and into the medieval period. The state of preservation of texts was always precarious, and epitomes were a pragmatic response to this reality.

Furthermore, the renowned Library of Alexandria, often romanticized in popular culture and scholarly discussions, is shrouded in mystery regarding its true nature and the extent of its contents. As Roger Bagnall's 2002 article, "Alexandria: Library of Dreams," outlines, our knowledge of the Library of Alexandria is scant, and much of what we "know" is based on speculation and wishful thinking rather than solid historical evidence.

In this context, the efforts of scholars like Pappus become even more significant. By creating epitomes, they played a crucial role in the preservation and transmission of knowledge. These summaries ensured that even if the original texts were lost or damaged, the core ideas and innovations could still be accessed by future generations.

The task of preserving knowledge is a continuous struggle against the ravages of time and the frailty of physical media. The creation of epitomes, while sometimes seen as a compromise, was a vital strategy in this ongoing effort. It reminds us of the resilience and ingenuity of ancient scholars in their quest to safeguard the intellectual heritage of their civilizations.

References

• Heron, Mechanica, 2.1. Accessed from the 1900/1976 Teubner edition of Heron's works, vol.2, p.272, available in facsimile online at wilbourhall.org, a resource recommended by Roger Pearse.
• Bagnall, R. (2002). "Alexandria: Library of Dreams."