Abstract

A critical edition, with translation and notes, of Samuel's 14th century Hebrew translation, otherwise available only in Mantinus' 1539 Latin translation from the Hebrew. The translator's English is surprisingly intelligible in view of the difficulties of the text which are helpfully indicated and discussed in the notes. The commentary itself is especially interesting as an instance of the influence of Aristotle on the Medieval Platonic tradition. Republic I and X are explicitly ignored as containing "no proof except by accident" and as not "necessary for this science," respectively; the Divided Line passage is adumbrated beyond recognition and its position taken by an Aristotelian discussion of the Good after the Nicomachean Ethics.--R. P.