When did Antoninus Liberalis live?
Antoninus Liberalis probably flourished between the late 2nd century and early 3rd century CE. The name itself suggests he lived during the Antonine or Severan period of imperial history.
Questions about Antoninus Liberalis
Short answers, pulled from the story.
Where is the manuscript containing Antoninus Liberalis work located today?
A single manuscript from the late 9th century holds all surviving text today. This codex resides now in the Palatine Library at Heidelberg University.
What specific myths does Antoninus Liberalis describe in his collection?
The work contains forty-one brief tales written in prose rather than verse that describe people turning into plants, animals, rocks, or stars. Tales include figures like Ctesylla, Hierax, and Cycnus who become swans alongside characters such as Lamia, Polyphonte, and Ascalabus.
How did the manuscript with Antoninus Liberalis texts reach Heidelberg?
John of Ragusa brought the codex from Constantinople to Basel around 1437 before it was sold to Otto Henry, Elector Palatine, in 1553. French forces took it to Paris under the Treaty of Tolentino in 1797 before returning it to Heidelberg via the Congress of Vienna in 1816.
Who printed the first edition of Antoninus Liberalis work?
Guilielmus Xylander printed the text first in Basel during 1568. Three leaves disappeared from the manuscript after that initial publication so Xylander's edition remains the only authority for those missing passages today.