Elegant and inelegant southeast European Latin in 1480–1680: Marko Marulić, Antun Vrančić, Stjepan Gradić
Neven Jovanović, Neo-Latin and issues of style: places and periods 1450–1750, London, 18–19 September 2025
Zenodo DOI: 10.5281/zenodo.17137593
Github: github.com/nevenjovanovic/elegant-inelegant-2025
The paper is part of the project AdriArchCult that has received funding from the European Union's Horizon 2020 Research and Innovation Programme (Architectural Culture of the Early Modern Eastern Adriatic, GA n. 865863 ERC-AdriArchCult).
URL of the page:
http://temrezah.ffzg.unizg.hr/del/deliciae/2025-9-18-style-jovanovic/
Proposal
Continuity of distinction between elegant, less elegant, and inelegant Neo-Latin will be researched on features of prose texts by three Latin writers from Dalmatia and Dubrovnik: Marko Marulić (Marcus Marulus 1450–1524), Antun Vrančić (Antonius Verantius, 1504–1573) and Stjepan Gradić (Stephanus Gradius, 1613–1683). All texts underwent stylistic changes we can follow and analyse. Between 1480 and 1510 Marulić paraphrased the Legenda aurea; the paraphrase can be compared to its source, with changes presumably making Marulić's text more elegant than the sources. Vrančić rewrote his letters from the 1550s as he collected them, making them more elegant, and leaving in the preserved autographs traces of his changes. Finally, Gradić's Vatican manuscripts include two drafts of his prologue to the Latin translation of Plutarch's Praecepta gerendae rei publicae (the undated text, composed after 1631, is dedicated to Gradić's older brother Džono / Junius, who lived c. 1611–1665); corrections and differences in drafts reveal an author working hard to improve the elegance of his text.
I will isolate and systematize the changes the three authors introduced with the aim to make Latin more elegant; a preliminary examination suggests that they were mostly improving copia and dignitas, changing the vocabulary and word order, and that they were striving to make their expressions more concise. The small, but comprehensively studied sample will allow me to speculate to what extent the perception of ‘elegant Latin’ persisted in the two hundred years between 1480 and 1680.
The authors and the works
- Marko Marulić / Marcus Marulus (Wikidata Q336571) in the De institutione bene beateque vivendi per exempla sanctorum (Venice, 1507) partly paraphrases the Legenda aurea (c. 1264)
- Antun Vrančić / Antonius Verantius (Wikidata Q512372) in his collection of c. 790 letters, partly preserved in autograph (author's copies), some items include additional author's changes
- Stjepan Gradić / Stephanus Gradius (Wikidata Q748526) the translation of Plutarch's Praecepta gerendae rei publicae is preserved in two autograph versions; the later one contains additional author's changes. Joh. Georg. Graevius to Nic. Heinsius, 1676: "Non puto quenquam nunc in Italia degere, si discesserimus ab Octavio Ferrario, qui ingenii elegantia, et diligenter scribendi laude sit par Gradio"
(1) Marulić retells the story of a blind saint in 1507
LEGENDA AUREA: Hujus uxor Persinda filiam caecam peperit, pater autem propter nimiam verecundiam ipsam occidi jussit, sed mater ipsam cuidam ancillae suae alendam commisit. (...) vade ad quoddam monasterium, quod dicitur Palma, ibi invenies puellam a nativitate caecam, quam baptizabis, nomen Odilia impones ei et mox post baptismum visum recipiet. Cumque oculos ejus chrismate liniret, visum clarissime recepit. Haec ab infantia se Dei servitio subdidit, vigiliis et orationibus, jejuniis et elemosinis die noctuque insistens. (...) Cum sic Odilia multis diebus in miseria vitae esset, pater misericordia motus super eam praedictum monasterium cum omnibus appenditiis suis illi tradidit. Post hoc pauco tempore supervivens defunctus est. Odilia sciens patrem suum in purgatorio uri in latere montis, ubi nunc claustrum est situm, tantum et tam lacrymabiliter oravit, quod coelum super eam apertum est et lux magna circumfulsit eam et vox dicit ei: propter te liberatus est pater tuus et in choro patriarcharum collocandus ab angelis ducitur.
MARULIĆ, INSTITUTIO: Othiliam virginem pater occidere in animo habebat, solo corporis vitio offensus, quia caeca nata fuerat. Mater autem periculo subtractam monasterio tradidit. Hinc ipsa virtutibus proficiens defectumque oculorum mentis perspicacitate supplens pro eo patre, quem sibi tam indigne capitali odio infensum noverat, ferventer orando effecit, ut et vivens poenitentiam delicti ageret et defunctus purgatorii poenas cum paradisi deliciis commutaret. Ipsa vero corporei quoque visus usum a Deo accipere meruit, quem non acceperat a parentibus.
- O2a: generalisation (jussit / in animo habebat); syntactic transformation (occidi / occidere; propter / offensus); synonyms (propter nimiam verecundiam / solo corporis vitio offensus) LEG pater autem propter nimiam verecundiam ipsam occidi jussit INST pater occidere in animo habebat, solo corporis vitio offensus
- O2b: generalisation (cuidam ancillae alendam / periculo subtractam), syntactic transformation (alendam / subtractam): LEG mater ipsam cuidam ancillae suae alendam commisit INST Mater autem periculo subtractam
- O2c: antithesis (defectum oculorum / mentis perspicacitate), (syntactic) parallelism (proficiens... supplens): LEG se Dei servitio subdidit, vigiliis et orationibus, jejuniis et elemosinis die noctuque insistens INST uirtutibus proficiens defectumque oculorum mentis perspicacitate supplens
- O2d: syntactic transformation (tantum oravit quod / orando effecit ut); generalisation (also shortening and simplification: tantum et tam lacrymabiliter / ferventer): LEG tantum et tam lacrymabiliter oravit, quod INST feruenter orando effecit, ut
- O2e: narrative transformation (direct speech / narration); syntactic transformation (liberatus est et ducitur / poenas cum deliciis commutaret); antithesis: LEG liberatus est pater tuus et in choro patriarcharum collocandus ab angelis ducitur INST purgatorii poenas cum paradisi deliciis commutaret
(2) Vrančić has a change of mind in 1546
VRANČIĆ 1 (crossed out): Cur id fit, nescio, sed uideris Petre nimium mei esse oblitus. A te nec nuncium, nec litteras, nec vel unicam salutis aut consolationis significationem accipio, quod quidem aeque me afficit, ac praesens mea calamitas. [Et quamquam non dubitem] /Nec dubito/ meo te istinc tam tumultuario discessu gravissime offensum, quemadmodum alios multos, qui me charum habuerant, meminique sane saepenumero, quam me amanter aliquando monueris, ne sic de rebus meis, ac statu praecipitarem. Verum enimvero qua exagitatus Thisyphone, aut quo sceleratiore meo adactus sydere, nescio, uno tantum momento, unaque mentis impulsione, quod uides, ea perfeci aeger, quae sanus etiam cogitare horruissem, facileque credo communem quandam multorum praesentis aeui fatalem ---
VRANČIĆ 2: Nescio, Petre, cur fit, sed mei videris nimium esse oblitus. A te nec nuncium, nec litteras, nec vel unicam salutis aut consolationis significationem accipio, quod quidem afficit me aeque ac praesens mea perturbatio. Et quamquam minime dubitem, meo te istinc tam tumultuario discessu gravissime offendi, quemadmodum alios multos, qui me una tecum habuere charissimum, quosque vicissim ipse quoque solitus eram eodem, quo te, et studio et veneratione colere, ac memini etiam saepenumero, quam me amanter aliquando hiisdem affectibus monueritis, ne sic de rebus meis, ac statu praecipitarem: tamen, ut verum fatear, sicut nulla discedendi a vobis suberat legitima causa, ita oppressus morbi magnitudine, usque ad mentis alienationem, quod omnibus plane constabat, non alia certe ulla impulsione, quam, meo judicio, Erynnis alicujus furiis exagitatus, /ac sceleratiore meo quopiam adactus sidere/, ea perfeci aeger, quae sanus etiam cogitare horruissem, nunc etiam improbo atque condemno, et facile credo, communem quamdam multorum praesentis temporis fatalem hanc caelorum vim exstitisse...
P1546v1: Cur id fit, nescio, sed videris Petre nimium mei esse oblitus.
P1546v2: Nescio, Petre, cur fit, sed mei videris* nimium esse oblitus.
- P1546a: word order; omission (id)
P1546v1: A te nec nuncium, nec litteras, nec vel unicam salutis aut consolationis significationem accipio, quod quidem aeque me afficit, ac praesens mea calamitas.
P1546v2: A te nec nuncium, nec litteras, nec vel unicam salutis aut consolationis significationem accipio, quod quidem afficit me aeque ac praesens mea perturbatio.
- P1546b: word order (aeque me afficit / afficit me aeque); synonym (calamitas / perturbatio)
P1546v1a: Et quamquam non dubitem meo te istinc tam tumultuario discessu gravissime offensum, quemadmodum alios multos, qui me charum habuerant, meminique sane saepenumero, quam me amanter aliquando monueris, ne sic de rebus meis, ac statu praecipitarem.
P1546V1b: Nec dubito meo te istinc tam tumultuario discessu gravissime offensum, quemadmodum alios multos, qui me charum habuerant, meminique sane saepenumero, quam me amanter aliquando monueris, ne sic de rebus meis, ac statu praecipitarem.
P1546v2: Et quamquam minime dubitem, meo te istinc tam tumultuario discessu gravissime offendi, quemadmodum alios multos, qui me una tecum habuere charissimum, quosque vicissim ipse quoque solitus eram eodem, quo te, et studio et veneratione colere, ac memini etiam saepenumero, quam me amanter aliquando hiisdem affectibus monueritis, ne sic de rebus meis, ac statu praecipitarem
- P1546c: synonyms (et quamquam / nec; non / minime); syntactic transformation (offensum / offendi); additional idea / parallelism (una tecum... quosque vicissim...); intensifying (charum / charissimum); synonyms (meminique sane / ac memini etiam); addition (idea: hiisdem affectibus, referring to vicissim or to studio et veneratione)
(3) Gradić simplifies his expression c. 1640
Vat. lat. 6899 + 6909: satis enim acres ad omnem honestatem stimulos ipsius naturae sponte, ac rationis habemus, nec esse quisquam potest ingenio tam fero, ac tam agresti, qui uirtutis quamlibet nudae ac inornatae specie non [magnopere] capiatur: ac si plerique auersos ab ea se, atque abhorrentes experiuntur non tam id uitium a recti ignoratione, aut odio accidit [proficisci dicendum est], quam ab asperitate quadam atque [ab] /et/ angustijs, quas partim uere in quęsitu, paratuque bonarum artium offendimus, partim nobis nostra desidia nostraeque deliciae /[delitia] desidia nostrę delicię/ confingunt.
6899: qui uirtutis quamlibet nudae ac inornatae specie non magnopere capiatur
6909a: qui uirtutis quamlibet nudae ac inornatae specie non magnopere capiatur
6909b: qui uirtutis quamlibet nudae ac inornatae specie non capiatur
- G3a: omission
6899: non tam id uitium a recti ignoratione, aut odio proficisci dicendum est, quam
6909a: non tam id uitium a recti ignoratione, aut odio proficisci dicendum est, quam
6909b: non tam id uitium a recti ignoratione, aut odio accidit, quam
- G3b: synonyms, simplifying
6899: quam ab asperitate quadam et angustijs, 6909a: quam ab asperitate quadam atque /ab/ angustijs 6909b: quam ab asperitate quadam atque [ab] angustijs
- G3c: synonyms (et / atque); anaphora and change of opinion (ab first added, then crossed out)
6899: partim nobis nostra [delitia] desidia nostrę delicię confingunt. 6909: partim nobis nostra desidia nostraeque deliciae confingunt.
- G3d: correction
Conclusion
The three sets of samples from three Dalmatian authors, active between 1500 and 1650, were marked and annotated for revisions. The annotations show that in the samples Latin elegance meant primarily a better choice of synonyms and a better word order. Now, the questions inevitably arise what does better mean, and how did the authors attain their knowledge of better, but this is something that has to be explored further and elsewhere. The samples show also that Latin elegance to an extent had individual features, that it was a a matter of individual preferences, skill and interest. Marulić revised by adding rhetorical figures, especially antithesis; Vrančić strove to make his letters more pragmatically effective – he revised thinking about the individual addressee and the circumstances; Gradić, contrary to the other two, revised by making his text more succinct – in this he is close to later perception of Latin as an exceptionally precise and concise language.
This small comparison of revisions in three sets of samples thus, first, proves that elegance can be pinpointed; second, the comparison shows that elegance, like style in general, has both constant common features, and changing individual ones.
Statistical breakdown of revision changes in Marulić, Vrančić and Gradić
| Type of revision | Marulić | Vrančić | Gradić |
|---|---|---|---|
| synonyms | 17 | 15 | 11 |
| syntactic transformation | 9 | 8 | 0 |
| generalisation | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| specifying | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| omission | 0 | 8 | 7 |
| word order | 2 | 9 | 5 |
| shortening | 1 | 1 | 7 |
| simplifying | 3 | 0 | 2 |
| antithesis | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| metonymy | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| anaphora | 1 | 0 | 1 |
| hendiadys | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| parallelism | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| direct address | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| grammatical transformation | 0 | 6 | 1 |
| addition | 1 | 9 | 4 |
The material
Marulić, De institutione bene beateque vivendi per exempla sanctorum (1507)
Sources:
Legenda aurea (c. 1264) = Jacobus a Voragine: Legenda aurea, vulgo Historia Lombardica dicta. Recensuit Theodor Graesse. Dresden/Leipzig 1846; 2. ed. Leipzig 1850; 3. ed. Breslau 1890. Digitized: archive.org https://archive.org/details/LegendaAureaGraesse1846
Marcus Marulus, De institutione bene beateque vivendi per exempla sanctorum = Institucija I-III, Split, Književni krug, 1986-1987, a digital edition in CroALa: http://temrezah.ffzg.unizg.hr/croala/static/croala-html/marul-mar-inst.html
Changes:
| Type | Quantity | Location ID |
|---|---|---|
| synonyms | 17 | M1a, M1b, M1c, M1d; M2a (2x), M2b (3x), M2d (3x); M3a; O1a (3x); O2a |
| syntactic transformation | 9 | M1b, M1d; M2b (2x), M2c; O2a, O2b, O2d, O2e |
| generalisation | 5 | M2c, M3b, O2a, O2b, O2d (shortening, simplification) |
| simplifying | 3 | M3b (syntactic, grammatical), M3c (syntactic, grammatical, lexical, rhetorical); O1a (syntactic, 3x) |
| antithesis | 3 | M1d, O2c, O2e |
| word order | 2 | M2d, O1a |
| shortening | 1 | M2c |
| metonymy | 1 | M2a |
| hendiadys | 1 | M2a |
| parallelism | 1 | O2c (syntactic) |
| direct address | 1 | M2b |
| addition | 1 | M1d |
| anaphora | 1 | M2a |
| narrative transformation | 1 | O2e |
Magdalena (M) M1
LEG Haec cum fratre suo Lazaro et sorore sua Martha Magdalum castrum, quod est secundo milliario a Genezareth, Bethaniam, quae est juxta Jerusalem, et magnam Hierosolymorum partem possidebat. Qui tamen omnia inter se taliter diviserunt, quod Maria Magdalum, a quo et Magdalena nuncupata est, Lazarus partem urbis Jerusalem et Martha Bethaniam possideret. Cum autem Magdalena deliciis corporis se totam exponeret et Lazarus plus militiae vacaret, Martha prudens partes sororis et fratris sui strenue gubernabat et militibus et famulis suis ac pauperibus necessaria ministrabat. Omnia tamen haec post adscensionem domini vendiderunt et ad pedes apostolorum pretium posuerunt.
INST Cuius quidem pollicitationis tum fide certi, tum magnitudine accensi, Maria, Martha et Lazarus, cum inter se partiti essent haereditatem Mariaeque Magdalum oppidum, Marthae Bethania, Lazaro pars urbis Hierusalem sorte obvenisset, omnibus post ascensum Domini distractis ac divenditis pecuniam ad pedes apostolorum proiecere in terram, ut corda errigere possent in caelum, quo Christum iam praecessisse conspexerant.
- M1a synonyms (LEG castrum / INST oppidum)
- M1b synonyms (diviserunt / partiti essent), syntactical transformation (avoid taliter quod): LEG inter se taliter diviserunt quod INST inter se partiti essent hereditatem
- M1c synonyms (LEG post adscensionem domini / INST post ascensum Domini)
- M1d (contact) synonyms (vendiderunt / distractis ac divenditis); syntactic transformation; addition / antithesis: LEG vendiderunt et ad pedes apostolorum INST distractis ac divenditis pecuniam ad pedes apostolorum proiecere in terram, ut corda errigere possent in caelum
M2
LEG Interea beata Maria Magdalena supernae contemplationis avida asperrimum eremum petiit et in loco angelicis manibus praeparato per XXX annos incognita mansit. In quo quidem loco nec aquarum fluenta nec arborum nec herbarum erant solatia, ut ex hoc manifestaretur, quod redemtor noster ipsam non terrenis refectionibus, sed tantum coelestibus epulis disposuerat satiare. Qualibet autem die septem horis canonicis ab angelis in aethera elevabatur et coelestium agminum gloriosos concentus etiam corporalibus auribus audiebat, unde diebus singulis his suavissimis dapibus satiata et inde per eosdem angelos ad locum proprium revocata corporalibus alimentis nullatenus indigebat.
INST Annos itaque triginta nulli hominum visa, nulli cognita vixit in deserto, non humano cibo, sed angelicis fomentis assidue sustentata, ut ex hoc intelligas angelorum ministeria promereri, quisquis propter Deum declinaverit hominum consortia.
INST Mariam Magdalenam, cum in solitudine aetatem ageret, statutis diei horis supra caelum ab angelis vectatam tradunt.
- M2a synonyms (per / accusative; mansit / vixit); metonymy, anaphora (nulli... nulli), hendiadys (visa / cognita): LEG per XXX annos incognita mansit INST Annos itaque triginta nulli hominum visa, nulli cognita uixit
- M2b synonyms (terrenis refectionibus / celestibus epulis; humano cibo / angelicis fomentis; satiare / sustentata); syntactic transformation (active / participle passive; passive 3 sg / active 2 sg); direct address to the reader: LEG ut ex hoc manifestaretur, quod redemtor noster ipsam non terrenis refectionibus, sed tantum coelestibus epulis disposuerat satiare INST non humano cibo, sed angelicis fomentis assidue sustentata, ut ex hoc intelligas...
- M2c shortening, generalisation (septem horis canonicis = throughout the day), syntactic transformation LEG Qualibet autem die septem horis canonicis INST statutis diei horis
- M2d synonyms (caelum / aether; elevari / vectari; in / supra); word order: LEG ab angelis in aethera elevabatur INST supra caelum ab angelis uectatam
M3
LEG Convocato igitur universo clero et sacerdote praedicto corpus et sanguinem domini ab episcopo beata Maria Magdalena cum multa lacrymarum inundatione suscepit, deinde toto corpore ante altaris prostrato crepidinem sanctissima illa anima migravit ad dominum. Post cujus exitum tantus odor suavitatis ibidem remansit, ut per septem dies fere ab ingredientibus oratorium sentiretur.
INST Maria Magdalena, Domini Iesu apostola, cum diem dormitionis suę iam proximum praescivisset, nolens quidem absque eucharistiae sacramento decedere, a Maximino episcopo illud accepit et ante altare humiliter prostrata spiritum tradidit. Corpusculum odore perquam suaui fragravit; anima ab angelis in caelum sublata, pro laboribus, quos in terra sustinuerat, perpetuae quietis felicitate gaudere coepit.
- M3a synonyms ( LEG suscepit / INST accepit)
- M3b syntactic and lexical simplification, generalisation (deinde / et; toto corpore prostrato / prostrata; ante altaris crepidinem / ante altare) LEG deinde toto corpore ante altaris prostrato crepidinem INST et ante altare humiliter prostrata
- M3c grammatical, syntactic, lexical / rhetorical simplification (odor suavitatis / odore suavi; tantus odor remansit, ut... / fragravit) LEG tantus odor suavitatis ibidem remansit, ut per septem dies fere ab ingredientibus oratorium sentiretur INST odore perquam suaui fragravit
Othilia (O) O1
LEG dominus Jesus Christus episcopo Erardo de partibus Bavariae apparuit dicens: vade ad quoddam monasterium, quod dicitur Palma (...) Confluebant ergo ad eam virgines nobiles non paucae, quarum spiritualis mater effecta in supra dicto monasterio ad exemplum sui Deo servire instituit. Habuit enim sub regimine CXXX moniales. Invitavit angelos precibus et quidquid a Deo postulavit, sine mora percipere meruit. Haec beata praeter dies festos nihil comedit nisi panem hordeaceum et legumina, pellis ursi fuit pro lecto, lapis vero pro cussino. Quia mons altus, ubi coenobium Odiliae situm est, fecit pauperes quaerentes elemosinam et peregrinos nimis laborare, fecit inferius monasterium pro hospitali.
INST Non tamen minori curae Othiliae virgini vigilias fuisse accepimus. Cui, quamvis monasterii in quodam Bavariae monte siti praeposita esset, pro stragulo ursina pellis, pro pulvillo saxum erat.
- O1a synonyms (lecto / stragulo, lapis / saxum, cussino / puluillo); syntactic simplification (pellis ursi / ursina pellis; vero / 0); word order LEG pellis ursi fuit pro lecto, lapis vero pro cussino INST pro stragulo ursina pellis, pro puluillo saxum erat
O2
LEG Hujus uxor Persinda filiam caecam peperit, pater autem propter nimiam verecundiam ipsam occidi jussit, sed mater ipsam cuidam ancillae suae alendam commisit. (...) vade ad quoddam monasterium, quod dicitur Palma, ibi invenies puellam a nativitate caecam, quam baptizabis, nomen Odilia impones ei et mox post baptismum visum recipiet. Cumque oculos ejus chrismate liniret, visum clarissime recepit. Haec ab infantia se Dei servitio subdidit, vigiliis et orationibus, jejuniis et elemosinis die noctuque insistens. (...) Cum sic Odilia multis diebus in miseria vitae esset, pater misericordia motus super eam praedictum monasterium cum omnibus appenditiis suis illi tradidit. Post hoc pauco tempore supervivens defunctus est. Odilia sciens patrem suum in purgatorio uri in latere montis, ubi nunc claustrum est situm, tantum et tam lacrymabiliter oravit, quod coelum super eam apertum est et lux magna circumfulsit eam et vox dicit ei: propter te liberatus est pater tuus et in choro patriarcharum collocandus ab angelis ducitur.
INST Othiliam virginem pater occidere in animo habebat, solo corporis vitio offensus, quia caeca nata fuerat. Mater autem periculo subtractam monasterio tradidit. Hinc ipsa virtutibus proficiens defectumque oculorum mentis perspicacitate supplens pro eo patre, quem sibi tam indigne capitali odio infensum noverat, ferventer orando effecit, ut et vivens poenitentiam delicti ageret et defunctus purgatorii poenas cum paradisi deliciis commutaret. Ipsa vero corporei quoque visus usum a Deo accipere meruit, quem non acceperat a parentibus.
- O2a generalisation (jussit / in animo habebat); syntactic transformation (occidi / occidere; propter / offensus); synonyms (propter nimiam verecundiam / solo corporis vitio offensus) LEG pater autem propter nimiam verecundiam ipsam occidi jussit INST pater occidere in animo habebat, solo corporis vitio offensus
- O2b generalisation (cuidam ancillae alendam / periculo subtractam), syntactic transformation (alendam / subtractam): LEG mater ipsam cuidam ancillae suae alendam commisit INST Mater autem periculo subtractam
- O2c antithesis (defectum oculorum / mentis perspicacitate), (syntactic) parallelism (proficiens... supplens): LEG se Dei servitio subdidit, vigiliis et orationibus, jejuniis et elemosinis die noctuque insistens INST uirtutibus proficiens defectumque oculorum mentis perspicacitate supplens
- O2d syntactic transformation (tantum oravit quod / orando effecit ut); generalisation (also shortening and simplification: tantum et tam lacrymabiliter / ferventer): LEG tantum et tam lacrymabiliter oravit, quod INST feruenter orando effecit, ut
- O2e narrative transformation (direct speech / narration); syntactic transformation (liberatus est et ducitur / poenas cum deliciis commutaret); antithesis: LEG liberatus est pater tuus et in choro patriarcharum collocandus ab angelis ducitur INST purgatorii poenas cum paradisi deliciis commutaret
Antun Vrančić, Corrections to nine autograph letters 1538-1546
Source:
Budapest, Szechenyi National Library, Fol. lat. 1681.
Changes:
| Type | Quantity | Location ID |
|---|---|---|
| synonyms | 15 | T1538b (contact s.); T1538c; G1538a (litotes); G1538c; Tom1540a; Tar1540c; Tar1540d; M1540b (2x); Z1540b; Z1540c; P1546b; P1546c (3x) |
| addition | 9 | T1538a, T1538b; G1538b; G1538c; M1540b; Z1540c (content, dramatic details); Z1540c (clarity); P1546c (idea, parallelism; 2x) |
| word order | 9 | T1538a; Tar1540a; Tar1540b; Tar1540c (2x); Tar1540d; M1540b; P1546a; P1546b |
| omission | 8 | S1538a; Tar1540b; Tar1540c (offensive); M1540a, M1540b; Z1540c (2x); P1546a |
| syntactic transformation | 8 | Tar1540a (reported speech); Tar1540b; Tar1540c; M1540b (2x); P1540a; Z1540a; P1546c |
| grammatical transformation | 6 | S1538a; G1538c (correction); M1540b (correction); P1540 (correction); Z1540 (corrected agreement); Petr1546c (intensifying) |
| specifying | 4 | G1538a; G1538b; Tom1540a; Tar1540c |
| shortening | 1 | Tar1540c |
| intensifying | 1 | P1546c |
1. An angry letter to Tranquillus Andronicus from 1538 (T1538)
T1538v1: Accepi litteras tuas, quas amore, officio, atque humanitate similes meis exspectabam.
T1538v2: Binas tuas accepi litteras, quas amore, officio, atque humanitate similes meis exspectabam.
- T1538a: addition (binas), word order
T1538v1: Grittumque idolum illud tuum, et spei cornucopiam indigne, quemadmodum habet epistola tua, peremptum obtrudis.
T1538v2: Grittumque idolum illud tuum amplissimum et spei tuae cornucopiam indigne, quemadmodum habet epistola tua, peremptum obtrudis ac declamitas.
- T1538b: additions (including contact synonyms)
T1538v1: Tristissimus haec ad te scripsi, et invitus, lacessitus tamen. Etenim quo animo tuas ad me dedisti litteras, eodem has meas accipe. Etenim torserunt me tuae, torqueant et te meae...
T1538v2: Tristissimus haec ad te scripsi, et invitus, lacessitus tamen. Verum quo animo tuas ad me dedisti litteras, eodem has meas accipe. Etenim torserunt me tuae, torqueant et te meae...
- T1538c: synonyms (etenim / verum)
2. To his uncle, bishop Statileus, 1538 (S1538)
S1538v1: Omnia summa, quae in gratiam tuam sciet efficere se et posse, promisit se facturum.
S1538v2: Omnia summa, quae in gratiam tuam sciet efficere promisit se facturum.
- S1538a: Grammatical transformation / correction by omission (not logical enough: sciet se... posse)
3. To Paolo Giovio, 1538 (G1538)
G1538v1: si Jovius in ejus regno existens diutius taceret ac lateret incognitus
G1538v2: si Jovius in ejus regno existens diutius taceret ac lateret non intellectus
- G1538a: synonym (specifying, litotes: incognitus / non intellectus)
G1538v1: Ego illud pro ingeniolo meo latinum feci et legendum exposui
G1538v2: Ego illud pro ingeniolo meo latinum feci et legendum Hungaris exposui
- G1538b: specifying by addition (Hungaris)
G1538v1: quando quidem non ignorem, dementiam esse ex lucerna, cui non advigilaveris, laudem petere, immo et parum laudabile ac nimis injurium, ex alieno fundo fructus decerpere pro tuos.
G1538v2: quando quidem non ignorem, dementiam esse ex lucerna, cui non advigilaveris, gloriam petere, immo et parum laudabile est ac nimis injurium, ex alieno fundo fructus decerpere pro tuis.
- G1538c: synonyms (laudem / gloriam); addition (est); grammatical correction (pro tuos / pro tuis)
4. To Ludovicus Tomoreus, 1540 (Tom1540)
Tom1540v1: Verum non miror, si et me blanditiae tuae fefellerunt, quibus longe me ipso cautiores saepe depalpasti. Tom1540v2: Verum non miror, si et me captiunculae tuae fefellerunt, quibus longe me ipso cautiores saepe depalpasti.
- Tom1540a: synonyms (specifying: blanditiae / captiunculae)
5. To Stipco Tarnowski, 1540 (Tar1540)
Tar1540v1: Litterae, quas superioribus diebus ad te dederam, quod acerbiores visae sunt, longeque in deterrimam partem fuere acceptae, quam scribentis animus exstitit, plurimum doloris ac molestiae percepi.
Tar1540v2: Quod litterae, superioribus diebus ad te quas dederam, acerbiores visae sint, longeque in deterrimam partem fuere acceptae, quam scribentis animus exstitit, plurimum doloris ac molestiae percepi.
- Tar1540a: syntactic transformation (quod, sunt / sint -- viewpoint of the addressee); word order (quod, quas)
Tar1540v1: nullo pacto mihi temperare potui, ut in delatorem meum, utpote mihi non ignotum, scribens ad te, invectus non fuissem, quem quidem ex nostris aulicis, nec rogatum, nec studio meo quaesitum, ad hoc improbissimum factum uel facinus potius, fueram nactus. Tar1540v2: nullo pacto mihi temperare potui, ut in delatorem meum, utpote mihi non ignotum, scribens ad te, invectus non fuissem, quem quidem ex nostris aulicis, nec rogatum, nec studio meo quaesitum, ad hoc improbissimum factum nactus eram.
- Tar1540b: omission (uel facinus potius); syntactic transformation, word order (fueram nactus / nactus eram)
Tar1540v1: Eius nomen si noscere optaueris, a serenissima ista maiestate Reginali domina Bona intelligere poteris.
Tar1540v2: Eius nomen si noscere cup, ab ista maiestate Reginali domina Bona intelligere poteris.
Tar1540v3: Eius nomen si noscere concupieris, a tua Regina poteris intelligere.
- Tar1540c: synonyms (optaueris / cup(ieris) / concupieris; maiestate Reginali domina Bona / tua Regina); shortening, syntactic transformation, specifying (a serenissima ista / ab ista maiestate Reginali domina Bona / tua Regina); word order (intelligere poteris / p. i. NB: īntēllĭgĕrĕ pŏtĕrĭs (cursus tardus) / ā tŭā Rēgīnā pŏtĕrĭs īntēllĭgĕrĕ (cursus velox octosyllabicus, two paeans)
Tar1540v1: Vehementer itaque rogo, ne in alium finem litteras illas meas interpretari velis, quam nunc hoc meo testimonio interpretantur. Caeterum dignum est, ut pro integritate ac prudentia tua, quacunque ratione in hunc labirynthum(!) sim inductus, veniam abs te promerear.
Tar1540v2: Vehementer itaque rogo, ne in alium finem litteras illas meas interpretari velis, quam nunc hoc meo testimonio interpretantur. Unde dignum est, ut pro integritate ac prudentia tua, quacunque ratione in hunc labirynthum(!) sim inductus, veniam abs te promerear.
- Tar1540d: synonyms (Caeterum / Unde)
6. To Melchior, the astronomer, 1540 (M1540)
M1540v1: postea ingeniose adhibe omne patrocinium, et indignationi ejus me eripe.
M1540v2: postea ingeniose adhibe omne patrocinium, et indignationi ejus eripe.
- M1540a: omission (me)
M1540v1: Nam quicquid felicitatis mihi astra pollicentur, in Statilii manu(!) collocarunt. Immo Statilius mihi et fortuna et sydus est felicissimum. quem tu si nunc mihi reconciliatum efficies, omnia praedicta tua fauste ac feliciter mihi evenisse cognoscam.
M1540v2: Nam quicquid felicitatis mihi astra pollicentur, in Statilii manu(!) collocarunt. Immo Statilius meum et fortuna et sydus est felicissimum. quem tu si nunc mihi reconciliatum efficies, omnia vaticinia tua fauste ac feliciter evenisse cognoscam.
M1540v3: Nam quicquid felicitatis mihi astra pollicentur, in Statilii manu(!) collocarunt. Immo Statilius ipse et fortuna et sydus meum est felicissimum. quem tu si nunc mihi reconciliatum efficies, omnia vaticinia tua fauste ac feliciter evenisse cognoscam.
- M1540b: synonyms / grammatically more correct (mihi / meum / ipse); addition (ipse); word order (meum... sydus / sydus meum); synonyms (praedicta / vaticinia); omission (mihi evenisse)
7. To Petrus Porembius, 1540 (P1540)
P1540v1: et in vobis naturae humanae agnoscere conditionem. Humano siquidem dolori a ratione impetremus consolationem, quam utique ipsa etiam dies est allatura, succedente novi atque optati haeredis laeticia(!).
P1540v2: et in nobis naturae humanae agnoscere conditionem. Igitur dolori a ratione impetranda est consolatio, quam utique ipsa etiam dies est allatura, succedente novi atque optati haeredis laeticia(!).
P1540v3: et in nobis naturae humanae agnoscere conditionem. Cuius quidem dolori a ratione impetranda est consolatio, quam utique ipsa etiam dies est allatura, succedente novi atque optati haeredis laeticia(!).
- P1540a: sense, or writing error? (vobis / nobis); syntactic transformation (Humano siquidem / Igitur / Cuius quidem); syntactic transformation (a ratione impetremus / a ratione impetranda est)
8. To Joannes Zalancinus, 1540 (Z1540)
Z1540v1: ut unum ex iis IIII. caeteros ad coronam aptissimum, pro regni more, consilio atque unanimi consensu eligant
Z1540v2: ut unum ex iis IIII. caeterisque ad coronam aptissimum, pro regni more, consilio atque unanimi consensu eligant
- Z1540a: correction of agreement (ex iis caeterisque)
Z1540v1: Et quid restat, mi Joannes, quam ut Deum in se exstimulent atque arment, et suapte voluntate alienigeno domino in servitutem sese dedant?
Z1540v2: Et quid restat, mi Joannes, quam ut Deum in se exstimulent atque arment, et suapte voluntate peregrino domino in servitutem sese dedant?
- Z1540b: synonym (with negative value: alienigenus / peregrinus)
Z1540v1: Cui ingredienti Budensem regiam, ferunt, reginam lugubrem ac moestam suis ulnis puerum obtulisse, et Joannis filium caesaris orphanum ac pupillum esse, non sine valido fletu protulisse , eundemque, recluso mammillare et exerta papilla, coram lactavisse; oratorem vero vix retentis lacrimis, bono animo esse jussisse, et appositaque pectori pueri dextera, verbo Solymani caesaris potentissimi juravisse, quod idem caesar hunc, hunc puerum, Joannis regis filium Hungariae regem fecisset, et in protectione sua accepisset, quodque neminem alium Hungaris, quamdiu viveret, regnare ac praeesse vellet. O miram Turcae cum bonitate clementiam! O Dei in Hungaros amorem stupendum et non intellectum!
Z1540v2: Cui ingredienti Budensem regiam, ferunt, reginam lugubrem ac moestam suis ulnis puerum obtulisse, et Joannis filium caesaris orphanum ac pupillum esse, non sine valido fletu protulisse , eundemque, recluso mammillare et exerta papilla, coram lactavisse; oratorem vero vix retentis lacrimis, genu procubuisse et pedibus pueri osculo exceptis, reginam bono animo esse jussisse, appositaque infantis pectori [ei] dextera, verbo Solymani caesaris juravisse, quod idem caesar hunc, hunc, inquiens puerum, Joannis regis filium Hungariae regem fecisset, et in protectione sua accepisset, quodque neminem alium Hungaris, quamdiu viveret, regnare ac praeesse vellet. O miram Turcae cum bonitate clementiam ! O Dei in Hungaros amorem stupendum et non intellectum!
- Z1540c: addition (content, dramatic details); omission (et); synonyms (puer / is / infans); addition, or correction (inquiens)
9. To Petrus Petrovius, 1546 (P1546)
P1546v1: Cur id fit, nescio, sed videris Petre nimium mei esse oblitus.
P1546v2: Nescio, Petre, cur fit, sed mei videris* nimium esse oblitus.
- P1546a: word order; omission (id)
P1546v1: A te nec nuncium, nec litteras, nec vel unicam salutis aut consolationis significationem accipio, quod quidem aeque me afficit, ac praesens mea calamitas.
P1546v2: A te nec nuncium, nec litteras, nec vel unicam salutis aut consolationis significationem accipio, quod quidem afficit me aeque ac praesens mea perturbatio.
- P1546b: word order (aeque me afficit / afficit me aeque); synonym (calamitas / perturbatio)
P1546v1a: Et quamquam non dubitem meo te istinc tam tumultuario discessu gravissime offensum, quemadmodum alios multos, qui me charum habuerant, meminique sane saepenumero, quam me amanter aliquando monueris, ne sic de rebus meis, ac statu praecipitarem.
P1546V1b: Nec dubito meo te istinc tam tumultuario discessu gravissime offensum, quemadmodum alios multos, qui me charum habuerant, meminique sane saepenumero, quam me amanter aliquando monueris, ne sic de rebus meis, ac statu praecipitarem.
P1546v2: Et quamquam minime dubitem, meo te istinc tam tumultuario discessu gravissime offendi, quemadmodum alios multos, qui me una tecum habuere charissimum, quosque vicissim ipse quoque solitus eram eodem, quo te, et studio et veneratione colere, ac memini etiam saepenumero, quam me amanter aliquando hiisdem affectibus monueritis, ne sic de rebus meis, ac statu praecipitarem
- P1546c: synonyms (et quamquam / nec; non / minime); syntactic transformation (offensum / offendi); additional idea / parallelism (una tecum... quosque vicissim...); intensifying (charum / charissimum); synonyms (meminique sane / ac memini etiam); addition (idea: hiisdem affectibus, referring to vicissim or to studio et veneratione)
Stjepan Gradić, prologue to the Latin translation of Plutarch's Praecepta gerendae rei publicae (after 1631)
Sources:
- 6909 = Vat. lat. 6909 83r–85v
- 6899 = Vat. lat. 6899 f. 176r–179r
Changes:
| Type | Quantity | Location ID |
|---|---|---|
| word order | 5 | G1a, G4a, G4e, G4f, G5a |
| synonyms | 12 | G1a, G1b, G1c, G1d, G2a, G3b, G3c, G4b, G4e, G4f, G4g, G5a |
| addition | 3 | G4d, G4g, G5a |
| change of opinion | 1 | G3c |
| omission / shortening | 7 | G1c, G3a, G4c, G4e, G4f, G5a, G5b |
| correction | 3 | G3d, G4g, G5b (remove error?) |
| simplifying | 2 | G3b, G4f |
| anaphora | 1 | G3c |
| grammatical transformation | 1 | G4e |
G1
Intuenti mihi Juni frater in /uitae humanae rationes/ habitum humanae uitae morumque nostrorum, ac naturae difficultatem paulo /[altius] diligentius/ diligentius expendenti perquam inutilis [inepta atque a consummata philosophandi ratione deficiens] ea doctorum hominum disputatio uideri solet, quae proposita aliqua excellenti absolutaque uirtute tota in extollenda eius dignitate, /et/ ac pulcritudine adhortandisque ad eam capessendam auditoribus est occupata; cum nulla interim praecepta, nullam artem proferat aut rationem, cuius beneficio parari facilius eadem, iterque eius planius et expeditius esse possit.
6899: Intuenti mihi Juni frater in uitae humanae rationes morumque nostrorum
6909: Intuenti mihi Juni frater in habitum humanae uitae morumque nostrorum
- G1a: word order, synonyms (rationes / habitus)
6899a: ac naturae difficultatem paulo altius expendenti
6899b: ac naturae difficultatem paulo diligentius expendenti
6909: ac naturae difficultatem paulo diligentius expendenti
- G1b: synonyms (altius / diligentius)
6899: perquam inepta atque a consummata philosophandi ratione deficiens ea doctorum hominum disputatio uideri solet
6909a: perquam inepta atque a consummata philosophandi ratione deficiens ea doctorum hominum disputatio uideri solet
6909b: perquam inutilis ea doctorum hominum disputatio uideri solet
- G1c: synonyms (inepta atque... deficiens / inutilis), omission / shortening
6899: tota in extollenda eius dignitate, ac pulcritudine 6909: tota in extollenda eius dignitate, et pulcritudine
- G1d: synonyms (ac / et)
G2
Enim uero huiusmodi Philosophia non magis quicquam operae pretium ad formandos excolendosque mores efficiet ac si quis lumen arescente lucerna iam deficiens uellicando potius fomite quam adfundendo pabulo [reparare conetur] excitare aggrediatur:
6899: uellicando potius fomite quam adfundendo pabulo reparare conetur.
6909a: uellicando potius fomite quam adfundendo pabulo reparare conetur.
6909b: uellicando potius fomite quam adfundendo pabulo excitare aggrediatur:
- G2a: synonyms (reparare / excitare; conetur / aggrediatur)
G3
satis enim acres ad omnem honestatem stimulos ipsius naturae sponte, ac rationis habemus, nec esse quisquam potest ingenio tam fero, ac tam agresti, qui uirtutis quamlibet nudae ac inornatae specie non [magnopere] capiatur: ac si plerique auersos ab ea se, atque abhorrentes experiuntur non tam id uitium a recti ignoratione, aut odio accidit [proficisci dicendum est], quam ab asperitate quadam atque <[ab]> /et/ angustijs, quas partim uere in quęsitu, paratuque bonarum artium offendimus, partim nobis nostra desidia nostraeque deliciae /[delitia] desidia nostrę delicię/ confingunt.
6899: qui uirtutis quamlibet nudae ac inornatae specie non magnopere capiatur
6909a: qui uirtutis quamlibet nudae ac inornatae specie non magnopere capiatur
6909b: qui uirtutis quamlibet nudae ac inornatae specie non capiatur
- G3a: omission
6899: non tam id uitium a recti ignoratione, aut odio proficisci dicendum est, quam
6909a: non tam id uitium a recti ignoratione, aut odio proficisci dicendum est, quam
6909b: non tam id uitium a recti ignoratione, aut odio accidit, quam
- G3b: synonyms, simplifying
6899: quam ab asperitate quadam et angustijs, 6909a: quam ab asperitate quadam atque /ab/ angustijs 6909b: quam ab asperitate quadam atque [ab] angustijs
- G3c: synonyms (et / atque); anaphora and change of opinion (ab first added, then crossed out)
6899: partim nobis nostra [delitia] desidia nostrę delicię confingunt. 6909: partim nobis nostra desidia nostraeque deliciae confingunt.
- G3d: correction
G4
6899: 0 (added in 6909) 6909: Quis oro Pitagorae sapientiam nisi per diuturnum silentium [esset] quaerenda [silentium] esset: quis Demosthenis facundiam innumeris usus disciplinaeque [doctrinaeque] molestiis [periculis uacuam] immunem non amplectatur: quis fortitudinem sine periculis: sine laboribus gloriam: sine dolore constantiam immanis licet et barbarus aspernetur? certe nunquam tot uituperatores literarum [bonarum] caeterarumque artium haberemus si ea passim indolis magnitudine a natura homines essent instructi quam [in] [olim] Lucullo [fuisse] [olim] Cicero [testatur] tribuebat, quem [ab urbe] testatur rei militaris rudem ab urbe profectum legendo meditandoque [quantum illi] inter nauigandum in Asiam [temporis atque otij fuit], [ad exercitum?] omnibus imperatorijs uirtutibus [instructum] ornatum ad exerci[cumula]tum[que] peruenisse [testatur]. sed fuerit benigna ei uiro, liberalisque in tanto ingenii robore mentisque celeritate natura; caeteris sane mortalibus honestissima quaeque magno labore longo temporis dispendio multisque uigiliis [venalia sunt] quasi venum proposita sunt [quasi uenum proposita sunt].
- G40: addition (of the whole passage)
6909a: nisi per diuturnum esset quaerenda silentium
6909b: nisi per diuturnum silentium quaerenda esset
- G4a: word order
6909a: facundiam innumeris usus doctrinaeque periculis uacuam
6909b: facundiam innumeris usus disciplinaeque molestiis immunem
- G4b: synonyms (doctrina / disciplina; pericula / molestiae; vacuus / immunis)
6909a: tot uituperatores literarum bonarum caeterarumque artium
6909b: tot uituperatores literarum caeterarumque artium
- G4c: omission (of an attribute)
6909a: si ea indolis magnitudine a natura homines essent instructi
6909b: si ea passim indolis magnitudine a natura homines essent instructi
- G4d: addition
6909a: quam olim Lucullo fuisse Cicero testatur, quem ab urbe rei militaris rudem profectum
6909b: quam in Lucullo olim Cicero testatur, quem [ab urbe] rei militaris rudem ab urbe profectum
6909c: quam Lucullo Cicero tribuebat, quem testatur rei militaris rudem ab urbe profectum
- G4e: word order (olim, ab urbe); grammatical transformation (in / dative only); omission (olim); synonyms (testatur / tribuebat)
6909a: legendo meditandoque quantum illi inter nauigandum in Asiam temporis atque otij fuit, ad exercitum omnibus imperatorijs uirtutibus instructum cumulatumque peruenisse testatur.
6909b: legendo meditandoque inter nauigandum in Asiam omnibus imperatorijs uirtutibus ornatum ad exercitum peruenisse.
- G4f: omission / simplification (quantum illi... temporis atque otij fuit; testatur), word order (ad exercitum); synonyms / simplification (instructum cumulatumque / ornatum)
6909a: caeteris sane mortalibus honestissima quaeque magno labore longo temporis multisque uigiliis venalia sunt.
6909b: caeteris sane mortalibus honestissima quaeque magno labore longo temporis dispendio multisque uigiliis quasi venum proposita sunt.
- G4g: an obligatory addition (dispendio, perhaps omitted by error); synonyms (venalia / quasi venum proposita)
G5
Hanc [autem] itaque /[itaque] adeo [arctae] uiae/ ad uirtutem ducentis uiae /[uiae]/ difficultatem monitis praeceptisque lenire [lapidesque ab] sentes ab ea lapidesque doctrina institutisque [rem] submouere perfectae demum officium esse iudico absolutaeque philosophiae.
6899a: Hanc autem ad uirtutem ducentis uiae difficultatem
6899b: Hanc itaque ad uirtutem ducentis uiae difficultatem
6909a: Hanc [itaque] adeo arctae ad uirtutem ducentis uiae difficultatem
6909b: Hanc adeo uiae ad uirtutem ducentis difficultatem
- G5a: synonyms (autem / itaque / adeo); addition (arctae); omission (arctae); word order (uiae)
6899: lenire [lapidesque ab] sentes ab ea lapidesque doctrina institutisque rem submouere
6909: lenire *sentes ab ea lapidesque doctrina institutisque submouere
- G5b: omission (change of mind or correction of an error: lapidesque ab; rem- for remouere?)
Changes of synonyms
- SG = Stjepan Gradić
- AV = Antun Vrančić
- MM = Marko Marulić
| Original | Revised | Author, location |
|---|---|---|
| rationes | habitus | SG-G1a |
| altius | diligentius | SG-G1b |
| inepta atque... deficiens | inutilis | SG-G1c |
| ac | et | SG-G1d |
| reparare conetur | excitare aggrediatur | SG-G2a |
| accidit | proficisci dicendum est | SG-G3b |
| doctrinaeque periculis uacuam | disciplinaeque molestiis immunem | SG-G4b |
| testatur | tribuebat | SG-G4e |
| instructum cumulatumque | ornatum | SG-G4f |
| venalia | quasi venum proposita | SG-G4g |
| autem | itaque / adeo | SG-G5a |
| obtrudis | obtrudis ac declamitas | AV-T1538b |
| etenim | verum | AV-T1538c |
| incognitus | non intellectus | AV-G1538b |
| laus | gloria | AV-G1538c |
| blanditiae | captiunculae | AV-Tom1540a |
| optaueris | cup(ieris) / concupieris | AV-Tar1540c |
| serenissima maiestate Reginali domina Bona | tua Regina | AV-Tar1540c |
| Caeterum | Unde | AV-Tar1540d |
| mihi | meum / ipse | AV-M1540b |
| praedicta | vaticinia | AV-M1540b |
| alienigenus | peregrinus | AV-Z1540b |
| puer | is / infans | AV-Z1540c |
| calamitas | perturbatio | AV-P1546b |
| et quamquam | nec | AV-P1546c |
| non | minime | AV-P1546c |
| meminique sane | ac memini etiam | AV-P1546c |
| castrum | oppidum | MM-M1a |
| diviserunt | partiti essent | MM-M1b |
| post adscensionem | post ascensum | MM-M1c |
| vendiderunt | distractis ac divenditis | MM-M1d |
| per + accusative | accusative only | MM-M2a |
| mansit | vixit | MM-M2a |
| terrenis refectionibus | celestibus epulis | MM-M2b |
| humano cibo | angelicis fomentis | MM-M2b |
| satiare | sustentata | MM-M2b |
| caelum | aether | MM-M2d |
| elevari | vectari | MM-M2d |
| in | supra | MM-M2d |
| suscepit | accepit | MM-M3a |
| lecto | stragulo | MM-O1a |
| lapis | saxum | MM-O1a |
| cussino | puluillo | MM-O1a |
| propter nimiam verecundiam | solo corporis vitio offensus | MM-O2a |
The talk
Books on writing well often use comparison as a teaching method: the author presents a passage, and then rewrites it, demonstrating that the revision is better, and showing which changes had to be made to make it better. I borrowed the method of comparing revised passages for an investigation into elegant Latin as written between 1500 and 1650. I identified several passages which were revised, described the changes using a consistent set of terms, then put all changes together in a list to see similarities and differences. The expectation was that these similarities and differences will reveal features of elegant Latin – what changes the authors did when they wanted to write better – and whether, or to what extent, these changes were individual or common over five generations (some 150 years).
I will introduce briefly the authors and the texts, then present a sample of my analysis, and finally report on what I have found.
The three authors whose Latin (in the process of becoming more elegant) I have examined all come from Dalmatia, but only one of them spent his whole life there; that one, Marko Marulić from Split, is the oldest one, and also the only one who did not (as far as we know) study in Italy. Antun Vrančić from Šibenik studied at Padua, Vienna and Krakow, and later held offices in the Kingdom of Hungary, while Stjepan Gradić – who was born in the free Republic of Dubrovnik and not a Venetian subject, as the other two – studied at Rome and lived there most of his life, as a member of the Holy See's administration. Marulić in his lifetime became famous for his religious works in Latin, but he wrote also in Croatian; Vrančić's wrote mostly pragmatically, as a politician and a courtier, and the largest part of his writings are some 790 letters; Gradić was a bureaucrat, but also a member of the Republic of Letters and a scholar with interest in history, geography, mathematics – in 1676 Graevius, in a letter to Heinsius, appreciated Gradić's Latin: "Non puto quenquam nunc in Italia degere, si discesserimus ab Octavio Ferrario, qui ingenii elegantia, et diligenter scribendi laude sit par Gradio".
Marulić's first popular religious book, published in Venice in 1507, was the De institutione bene beateque vivendi per exempla sanctorum, a collection of lives of saints reorganized by individual virtues. We do not have the autograph of the work, so Marulić's role in my research is different; he did not simply reorganize events from the saint's lives, he also rewrote them, and I will show how his De institutione paraphrases its textual base, in this case the medieval Legenda aurea (whose first version was composed around 1264 by the dominican Jacobus de Voragine).
Vrančić's letters are preserved today in the National Szechenyi Library in Budapest, in a large manuscript volume, partly written by Vrančić himself; the letters are in fair copy, but these copies sometimes contain additional changes – and sometimes even the first drafts are preserved, as we shall see in the example. In all, I have analysed Vrančić's changes in eight of his letters, written between 1538 and 1546.
A dozen volumes of Gradić's manuscripts, comprising primarily his scholarly prose and poetry, mostly in autograph, often including both drafts and fair copies, are kept in the Vatican Apostolic Library. Gradić's text that I have studied is the prologue to his translation of Plutarch's Praecepta gerendae rei publicae. The prologue is a dedication to Gradić's older brother Junius, and it exists in two autograph versions, one in the manuscript Vaticanus latinus 6899, the other in the Vaticanus latinus 6909; a comparison shows that the version in 6899 is older, but the version in 6909 is not final either; the author was adding to it or crossing out some words. The translation was never published.
My full list of changes Marulić, Vrančić and Gradić had introduced to their texts is available at a website and as a data repository, as listed on your handouts and shown on the screen; I have chosen three samples, one from each text, to present my research and the categorisation of changes. In the sample from Marulić, you can see how he brings rhetorical refinement to the medieval text, introducing what I have called generalisation -- when Marulić writes "in animo habebat" instead of Voragine's "jussit", Marulić uses a synonym, but he is also being less specific, as we do not see Othilia's father actually ordering her to be killed. Marulić transforms the syntax, revising "propter nimiam verecundiam" into a participium coniunctum "solo corporis vitio offensus" (note how Marulić also explains to the reader what the father's verecundia could have been). Marulić further amplifies the text by adding antithesis -- you will find several in the sample.
After 1540, there were two pretendents for the Hungarian crown: the infant John Sigismund Zapolya and Ferdinand of Austria. In 1546 Antun Vrančić, member of the court of Zapolya's mother, the widow queen Isabella, left the court without a good reason and without a proper explanation, so later he composed a letter of excuse to another member of the court, Petrus Petrovius. The task must not have been easy: in the manuscript volume there are two versions of the letter, the first one is unfinished and crossed out, and the other one has further changes. This is our sample from Vrančić; note his transformation of the word order in the beginningm making the second version echo Cicero, De republica 1, 10 "Nescio, Africane, cur ita memoriae proditum sit" – although Vrančić still does not respect the rules of the Latin syntax! He chooses carefully perturbatio over calamitas, and progresses from "et quamquam non dubitem" over "nec dubito" to "et quamquam minime dubitem" (which is again suspect from the point of grammatical correctnes, although "minime dubito" is found often, for example, in the contemporary correspondence of Heinrich Bullinger c. 1550).
The sentence from Gradić's prologue, where I have marked deletions by square brackets, and variants from the other manuscript by slashes, shows how he, contrary to other two authors, makes his Latin elegant by omitting words ("magnopere") and condensing expressions ("proficisci dicendum est" becomes "accidit") – at the same time this makes Gradić's expression more confident. Gradić also changes his mind over nuances: first he writes quam ab asperitate quadam et angustijs, then changes this into quam ab asperitate quadam atque angustijs, then adds an anaphora quam ab asperitate quadam atque ab angustijs, to finally give up the anaphora and cross out the "ab".
These are just examples of how I analysed the revisions in a larger selection – which is still small, about a thousand words – from each work. Each revision was marked and described, and I have tried to be consistent in terminology, at the same time respecting the impression the changes made on me. This procedure made it possible to compare what was marked in the three sets of samples, and to count occurrences of each type of change. In the materials on the internet you will find a simple statistical breakdown of my annotations for each set of samples (for each author, if you prefer); I will report on these breakdowns now and try to interpret them.
There are two types of revision to be found in all three sets of samples: changes of synonyms (you will find a complete list of synonyms at the end of the research materials) and changes of word order. All authors add something as well, but in that category Vrančić holds the first place – although we could count Marulić's rhetorical amplifications, especially antitheses, as additions too. I have noted grammatical transformation in Vrančić and Gradić, but not in Marulić; there are syntactic transformations in Marulić and Vrančić, but not in Gradić. Gradić consistently makes his writing more concise by omitting and shortening expressions, while in Vrančić omissions are related to grammatical correctness and to immediate impact of his words on the addressee. And because Marulić paraphrases the Legenda aurea, picking only what he needs, we could say that omission is much more present in his writing – it is his basic procedure. While the revision types specific to Marulić all fall into the category of rhetorical amplifications, a change appearing only in Vrančić is specifying – when he uses "non intellectus" for "incognitus", or says not simply "legendum exposui" but "legendum Hungaris exposui", he makes his expression more precise.
To conclude. The three sets of samples from three Dalmatian authors, active between 1500 and 1650, were marked and annotated for revisions. The annotations show that in the samples Latin elegance meant primarily a better choice of synonyms and a better word order. Now, the questions inevitably arise what does better mean, and how did the authors attain their knowledge of better, but this is something that has to be explored further and elsewhere. The samples show also that Latin elegance to an extent had individual features, that it was a a matter of individual preferences, skill and interest. Marulić revised by adding rhetorical figures, especially antithesis; Vrančić strove to make his letters more pragmatically effective – he revised thinking about the individual addressee and the circumstances; Gradić, contrary to the other two, revised by making his text more succinct – in this he is close to later perception of Latin as an exceptionally precise and concise language.
This small comparison of revisions in three sets of samples thus, first, proves that elegance can be pinpointed; second, the comparison shows that elegance, like style in general, has both constant common features, and changing individual ones.
Thank you.