6.
No other works by Arnobius have been preserved, and only two mss. are known to exist. Of these, the one in Brussels is merely a transcript of that preserved in the public library at Paris, on which all editions have been based. This is a ms. of the ninth or tenth century, and contains the Octavius of Minucius Felix immediately after the seventh book adversus Gentes, in consequence of which that treatise was at first printed as the eighth book of Arnobius. Although it has been collated several times, we are still in doubt as to its true readings,--Hildebrand, who last examined it, having done so with too little care.
The first 1 edition was printed at Rome in 1542, and was followed by that of Gelenius, 2 in which much was done for the emendation of the text; but arbitrary conjectures were too frequently admitted. Next in order follow those of Canterus, 3 who did especial service by pointing out what use Arnobius has made of Clement, Ursinus, 4 Elmenhorst, 5 Stewechius, 6 Heraldus, 7 and the Leyden 8 variorum edition, based on a recension of the text by Salmasius. 9 The later editions are those of Oberthür, 10 whose text is adopted by Orelli, 11 Hildebrand, 12 and Oehler. 13 Oberthür's edition is of little importance, and that of Orelli is valuable solely as a collection of notes gathered from many sources into a crude and undigested mass. Hildebrand seems to have taken too little pains with his work; and Oehler, whose critical sagacity and industry might have given us a most satisfactory edition, was unfortunately hampered by want of space.
No edition of Arnobius has been published in England; and the one Englishman who has taken any pains with this author seems to be John Jones, who, under the pseudonym of Leander de St. Martino, prepared summaries, which were added to a reprint of Stewechius at Douay, 1634. As this edition has not come into our hands, we are unable to speak of it more particularly.
Arnobii Disputationum adversus Gentes, libri octo, nunc primum in lucem editi Romae, apud Franc. Priscianum Florentinum, 1542. ↩
Basileae, 1546. ↩
Antverpiae, 1582. ↩
Romae, 1583. This is the second Roman edition, and restores the Octavius to Minucius Felix. ↩
Hanoviae, 1603; dedicated to Joseph Scaliger. ↩
Antverpiae, 1604. ↩
Paris, 1605. This edition, which is of great value, and shows great learning and ability, was completed in two months, as Heraldus himself tells us. ↩
Lugduni Batavorum 1651, containing the notes of Canterus, Elmenhorst, Stewechius, and Heraldus. ↩
Salmasius purposed writing commentaries for this edition, but died without doing more than beginning them. ↩
Wirceburgi, 1783, 8vo, preceded by a rambling introductory epistle. ↩
Lipsiae, 1816-17, 8vo. ↩
Halis Saxonum, 1844, 8vo. ↩
Lipsiae, 1846, 8vo. ↩
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