The Fragility of Knowledge: Strabo's Insight into the Physical State of Ancient Books
Strabo's narrative, while not the complete story, reveals shared assumptions about the fragility and vulnerability of written texts, even among educated circles. It sheds light on the inherent difficulties in preserving philosophical works, particularly those of Aristotle and Theophrastus, and the subsequent impact on the continuity of intellectual traditions.
The Journey of Aristotle's Library
According to Strabo, Aristotle entrusted his library to his successor Theophrastus, who, in turn, bequeathed it to Neleus. Neleus, a disciple of both Aristotle and Theophrastus, took the library to Scepsis and left it to his descendants. However, these heirs were not philosophers and stored the books carelessly. When they learned that the Attalid kings were searching for books to establish the library at Pergamum, they hid the collection underground to protect it. This crude storage method led to significant damage from mildew and worms.
The Role of Apellicon and Subsequent Transmission
Years later, the family sold the damaged books to Apellicon of Teos, a bibliophile rather than a philosopher. Apellicon attempted to repair the worm-eaten manuscripts by transcribing them onto new ones but did so inaccurately, resulting in texts riddled with errors. As a result, the Peripatetics who followed Theophrastus had limited access to Aristotle's works, possessing only a few texts, particularly the exoteric ones. This scarcity hindered their ability to engage deeply with Aristotelian philosophy, leading them to focus on broad declamations rather than rigorous philosophical inquiry.
The Influence of Rome and Further Complications
The narrative takes another turn with Rome's involvement. After Apellicon's death, Sulla captured Athens and brought the library to Rome. There, the scholar Tyrannio, an enthusiast of Aristotle, gained access to the collection by ingratiating himself with the librarian. Unfortunately, unscrupulous booksellers further complicated matters by employing poor scribes and neglecting to verify the accuracy of copies. This malpractice affected not only Aristotle's works but also other books copied for sale in Rome and Alexandria.
Implications for the Transmission of Knowledge
Strabo's account highlights several key points about the transmission of knowledge in antiquity:
Physical Vulnerability: The physical condition of manuscripts significantly affected their preservation and the accuracy of their content. Damage from environmental factors like mildew and worms could render texts nearly unreadable.
Careless Handling: Non-philosophical custodians often stored and managed texts poorly, exacerbating the risk of damage and loss.
Inaccurate Transcription: Efforts to repair and transcribe damaged texts could introduce numerous errors, leading to corrupted versions of the original works.
Commercial Interests: The involvement of booksellers and scribes with commercial motives further compromised the integrity of texts, as they prioritized quantity over quality.
Impact on Scholarship: The availability and condition of texts directly influenced the quality of philosophical inquiry. Limited access to accurate copies hindered scholars' ability to engage deeply with the original works and perpetuated a cycle of superficial understanding.
Conclusion
Strabo's insight into the physical state of ancient books underscores the fragility of knowledge transmission in antiquity. It highlights the challenges faced by early scholars in preserving and disseminating philosophical works and the significant impact of these challenges on the continuity of intellectual traditions. As we reflect on the precarious journey of Aristotle's library, we are reminded of the delicate nature of cultural and intellectual heritage and the ongoing responsibility to safeguard and accurately transmit the knowledge of past generations.
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