Plus ça change

Posted on July 22nd, 2007 in Sidonius, Late Antiquity, Miscellanea by Craig

“[T]he mob of the sluggards has so grown in numbers that unless there are at least a modest few like yourself to defend the exact use of the language of Latium from the rust of vulgar barbarisms, we shall in a short time be lamenting its extinction and annihilation, so sadly will all the bright ornaments of noble expression be dulled by the slovenliness of the mob.” — Sidonius, writing in the fifth century, to his friend Hisparius, Ep. 2.10.1. (Translation W. B. Anderson, Loeb Classical Library).

Sidonius Today

Posted on July 12th, 2007 in Sidonius, Thesis, Late Antiquity by Craig

My thesis studies are taking me back to the writings of Sidonius, a fifth-century Roman aristocrat and bishop from Gaul. Some time ago I stumbled into Joop van Waarden’s Classics Site, which is dedicated to the use of “digital techniques for research and publication” for “the study of Sidonius (or Sidonius Apollinaris, as 15th century humanist Angelo Poliziano was the first to write, arbitrarily), especially book 7 of the correspondence.” It’s a good example of the application of modern technology to historic research. The bibliography and files from van Waarden’s site are proving to be very helpful for my current research.

Delay and Silence

Posted on January 13th, 2007 in Sidonius, Late Antiquity, Miscellanea by Craig

“You blame both my delay and my silence. Both these charges can be refuted: for I am coming and I am now writing. Farewell.” — Sidonius, fifth century Roman nobleman and Gallic bishop, to his friend Florentinus, Book 4.19. (Translation W. B. Anderson, Loeb Classical Library).