Les Parekbolai d’Eustathe de la période Byzantine jusq’au XVIIIe siècle. Quel-ques remarques

Abstract

Eustathius’ Parekbolai constitute an autonomous and highly personal commentary on the Iliad and the Odyssey. At the same time this compilative work reflects almost all earlier attempts to comment on Homer. In the present contribution it is demonstrated, firstly, that Eustathius closes the long line of the ancient and medieval scholia on Homer styled as commentaria perpetua. This is done by presenting in a chronological order all the incomplete Homeric commentaries at the time of Eustathius (12th c.) and after that. Secondly, a brief survey of the first editions of Parekbolai and their reflections in European science from the end of the Byzantine period till the 18th century is attempted. Lastly, the attention is focused on the reception of Eustathius in the work of the great Greek humanist scholar Adamantios Korais who recognized the didactic value of the philological commentaries on Homer for the patriotic Greek youth. Refs 41.