en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Odyssey
3 corrections found
The first printed edition in Greek was published in Milan 1488 by Demetrios Chalkokondyles, a Greek scholar resident in Florence.
The Greek editio princeps of Homer’s works, including the Odyssey, was produced in Florence in 1488/89, not Milan in 1488.
Full reasoning
This statement gets the place of publication wrong.
Library and exhibition records for the Homer editio princeps identify it as a Florence edition, not a Milan one. Columbia University Libraries describes the first edition of Homer’s works as "produced in Florence in 1488/89" and published by Bernardus Nerius Nerlius and Demetrius Damilas. Bridwell Library likewise catalogs Homer. Opera as "Florence: Bernardus Nerlius, Nerius Nerlius and Demetrius Damilas, 9 December 1488" and identifies it as the editio princeps of the works of Homer.
Since the Odyssey first appeared in print as part of this Homer edition, calling the first Greek printed edition "published in Milan 1488" is incorrect.
2 sources
- Columbia University Libraries Online Exhibitions: Homer. Works (Pre-1501)
Editio princeps of Homer. The first edition, or editio princeps, of Homer's works was produced in Florence in 1488/89 and published by Bernardus Nerius Nerlius and Demetrius Damilas.
- Bridwell Library Special Collections: The First Printed Edition of Homer
Homer. Opera. Florence: Bernardus Nerlius, Nerius Nerlius and Demetrius Damilas, 9 December 1488. ... this is the first book printed in Greek in Florence and is the editio princeps of the works of Homer.
Book 22 is generally said to conclude the Greek Epic Cycle
The Epic Cycle does not end with Odyssey Book 22. In standard scholarly accounts, the Telegony is the final poem and explicitly 'brings the Epic Cycle to an end.'
Full reasoning
This statement is contradicted by standard scholarly descriptions of the Epic Cycle.
Cambridge’s The Greek Epic Cycle and its Ancient Reception states directly that the Telegony "brings the Epic Cycle to an end". The same volume also lists the Trojan-cycle poems as Cypria, Aethiopis, Ilias parva, Iliou persis, Nostoi, and Telegony. In other words, the cycle continues past the slaughter of the suitors and includes the post-Odyssey story told in the Telegony.
So Book 22 of the Odyssey is not generally regarded as the conclusion of the Greek Epic Cycle.
2 sources
- Cambridge University Press: Telegony (Chapter 21) - The Greek Epic Cycle and its Ancient Reception
The Telegony (Τηλεγονία or Τηλεγόνεια) by Eugammon of Cyrene in two books brings the Epic Cycle to an end.
- Cambridge University Press: Narrative techniques in the Epic Cycle
the epics of the Trojan Cycle, i.e. the Cypria, the Aethiopis, the Ilias parva, the Iliou persis, the Nostoi and the Telegony
His edition was printed in Milan by a Greek printer named Antonios Damilas.
The Homer editio princeps was printed in Florence, not Milan. Demetrios Damilas was involved with the Florentine edition.
Full reasoning
The place of printing here is wrong.
Library and exhibition records for the Homer editio princeps identify it as a Florence edition. Bridwell Library describes the 1488 Opera as: "Florence: Bernardus Nerlius, Nerius Nerlius and Demetrius Damilas, 9 December 1488" and notes that it was edited by Demetrius Chalkokondyles. Columbia’s library exhibition likewise lists the editio princeps of Homer as "Florence: Bernardus Nerius Nerlius and Demetrius Damilas, 1488/89."
Damilas had earlier printing connections to Milan, but the Odyssey/Homer editio princeps referred to here was printed in Florence, not Milan.
2 sources
- Bridwell Library Special Collections: The First Printed Edition of Homer
Homer. Opera. Florence: Bernardus Nerlius, Nerius Nerlius and Demetrius Damilas, 9 December 1488. ... Edited by Demetrius Chalkokondyles ... this is ... the editio princeps of the works of Homer.
- Columbia University Libraries Online Exhibitions: Pre-1501 Homer
Florence: Bernardus Nerius Nerlius and Demetrius Damilas, 1488/89 ... Editio princeps of Homer.