The article starts from a hypothesis formulated by Hugo Bretzl, according to which Theophrastus retrieved botanical information about the regions of Asia from a royal archive (anagraphe) originally kept in Babylon in 323 by the Macedonian official Xenokles. Using as a case study Chapter 4 of Historia Plantarum Book 9, devoted to frankincense and myrrh, it examines the peripatetic philosopher's methods of data retrieval and use, showing that he draws on many sources that are difficult to trace back to a single archive. These anonymous sources - soldiers or merchants - can be chronologically placed between 323 and 311 BC. It calls into question the date of 321/320 for the chapters 1-7 of book IX of the Historia Plantarum, which Suzanne Amigues has authoritatively proposed on several occasions.
'Voci senza volto'. L'archivio reale di Babilonia e le fonti di Teofrasto. Historia Plantarum IX 4: un caso studio.
G. Squillace
2025-01-01
Abstract
The article starts from a hypothesis formulated by Hugo Bretzl, according to which Theophrastus retrieved botanical information about the regions of Asia from a royal archive (anagraphe) originally kept in Babylon in 323 by the Macedonian official Xenokles. Using as a case study Chapter 4 of Historia Plantarum Book 9, devoted to frankincense and myrrh, it examines the peripatetic philosopher's methods of data retrieval and use, showing that he draws on many sources that are difficult to trace back to a single archive. These anonymous sources - soldiers or merchants - can be chronologically placed between 323 and 311 BC. It calls into question the date of 321/320 for the chapters 1-7 of book IX of the Historia Plantarum, which Suzanne Amigues has authoritatively proposed on several occasions.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
