Petronius’ Satyrica: A Commentary on its Transmission, Pre-Plot Fragments, and Chapters 1–15

Abstract

The thesis is a commentary on the transmission and beginning of Petronius’ Satyricon Libri: the research corpus comprises the first 15 chapters and fragments and references that help to reconstruct the plot of the lost, earlier books of the work. To provide an analytical basis for the comments, there is an extensive introduction to Petronius’ work containing explanations of Petronius’ style and narrative composition, the reconstruction of the plot, and the transmission of the Satyrica. A list of sigla and emendations leads into the text itself. The basis for the text was the fourth corrected edition of Konrad Müller (2009) and the critical apparatus of Bücheler’s editio maioris (1862). However, the text of this commentary differs from Müller’s text in 36 instances and in 32 instances from Breitenstein’s work on §1–15 (2009). In addition it provides more information on the transmission in the critical apparatus than both scholars do. A philological-literary commentary follows the text. It emphasises text-critical notes and explanations and attempts to find, substantiate, or delete textual variants. The commentary is divided into six parts: Fragmenta, Fragmenta a Petronio Approbata, the School Episode (§1–5), the Brothel Episode (§6–8), the Quarrel Episode (§9–11), and the Market Episode (§12–15).