Gregory of Cyprus and Aelius Aristides. Some Considerations on their Works and their Transmission

Abstract

Though so far no autographs of George/Gregory of Cyprus have been attested, his handwriting has been identified in a number of manuscripts. This evidence enables us to explore the major crossroad in his literary training, namely his discovery of the Greek orator Aelius Aristides (ad 117-181). The paper explored the manuscripts of Aelius Aristides copied by George of Cyprus and the joint transmission of both authors, in an attempt to classify them in various ways: some manuscripts come to us via the Patriarchate of Constantinople and others through the Monastery of Chora. This evidence led to some reflections on the Byzantine rhetorical canon and on the transmission of Byzantine oratory.