ESR 10 The Carmina Latina Epigraphica of Rome Preserved in the Epigraphic Sylloges of Michele Fabrizio Ferrarini

Christin Rochlitzer

Objectives
The project deals with the early manuscript transmission of pagan epigraphic poetry produced in the city of Rome. In particular, it focuses on the collections of the Carmelite monk Michele Fabrizio Ferrarini, who in the last quarter of the 15th century was among the most avid compilers of Carmina Latina Epigraphica and Latin inscriptions in general. Especially for those carmina from Rome which are no longer preserved today his manuscripts are of special interest, as he partly used still unidentified sources. These inscriptions will be discussed in detail in a critical edition, including comprehensive commentaries on the transmission history of each of the texts. The (re-)examination and comparison of the manuscript sources, some of which had not yet been considered by the editors of CIL VI, aim to a better understanding of Ferrarini’s antiquarian work in relation to that of other syllogists and to determine the particularities of his transmissions of metrical inscriptions within his progressively expanding text compilations. Thereby, his work should always be seen within the historical and cultural context in which it was created, considering his relations with other humanists and clerics of that time, who may have fostered his interest in antiquity and particularly its epigraphic legacy.

Expected Results
A doctoral thesis on the objectives mentioned above to build up a general expertise in renaissance and humanist culture, and professional skills in manuscript studies.