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Greek Retroversion of the Last Chapters of the Shepherd?

Posted: March 2nd, 2025, 7:13 am
by PhillipLebsack
Has there been any scholarly (not AI) attempt to retrovert the Latin of the last chapters of the Shepherd (Ch. 107-114) back into Greek?

Re: Greek Retroversion of the Last Chapters of the Shepherd?

Posted: March 3rd, 2025, 11:28 am
by Jonathan Robie
PhillipLebsack wrote: March 2nd, 2025, 7:13 am Has there been any scholarly (not AI) attempt to retrovert the Latin of the last chapters of the Shepherd (Ch. 107-114) back into Greek?
This is something I know nothing about. Here's a summary I got out of ChatGPT, I have no idea if it is helpful or not.

Title: Reconstructing the Lost Greek Ending of the Shepherd of Hermas

The Shepherd of Hermas was originally composed in Greek, but the complete Greek text of its final sections (Similitudes 9 and 10) is lost, surviving only in a Latin translation (Vulgata). Scholars have employed various methodologies to reconstruct these missing Greek portions:

1. Retroversion from Latin
Scholars translate the preserved Latin text back into Greek by analyzing Latin syntax and vocabulary to infer the probable Greek wording. This method requires knowledge of the translation techniques used by ancient scribes.

Example: Robert Joly's critical edition, Le Pasteur d’Hermas: Texte critique et commentaire (1958), presents a retroverted Greek text based on the Latin Vulgata.
This work is accessible through academic libraries or interlibrary loan services.

2. Analysis of Greek Fragments
Although the full Greek text is missing, some Greek fragments of the Shepherd of Hermas survive. These provide insight into the author's original style, aiding scholars in reconstructing the lost portions.

Example: Kirsopp Lake's edition, The Shepherd of Hermas (1912), includes Greek fragments alongside an English translation.
This edition is part of the Loeb Classical Library and can be found in many university libraries. Additionally, the digital version is available at the Loeb Classical Library website. Link

3. Comparative Studies with Other Translations
The Shepherd of Hermas exists in several ancient translations, including Ethiopic, Coptic, Georgian, and Middle Persian. Comparing these versions helps identify textual variations and patterns that inform the Greek reconstruction.

Example: Paolo Cecconi's study, "The Codex Sinaiticus and Hermas: The Ways of a Crossed Textual Transmission" (2018), examines the textual transmission of the Shepherd across different languages.
This article is available in the Zeitschrift für Antikes Christentum / Journal of Ancient Christianity, accessible through academic databases. Link

4. Utilization of Codex Sinaiticus
Codex Sinaiticus (4th century) contains portions of the Shepherd of Hermas in Greek. While incomplete, it offers valuable textual evidence that aids in reconstructing the missing sections.

Example: The digital facsimile of Codex Sinaiticus is available online at codexsinaiticus.org, providing direct access to the manuscript's content.

Additional Resources
- The Early Church Texts website offers the complete Greek text of the Shepherd of Hermas alongside an English translation. Link
- The Scaife Viewer provides access to the Greek text of the Shepherd of Hermas as part of the Perseus Digital Library. Link

Sources
- Joly, R. (1958). Le Pasteur d’Hermas: Texte critique et commentaire. Bruxelles: Éditions de l’Université de Bruxelles.
- Lake, K. (1912). The Shepherd of Hermas. Loeb Classical Library. Cambridge: Harvard University Press. Link
- Cecconi, P. (2018). "The Codex Sinaiticus and Hermas: The Ways of a Crossed Textual Transmission." Zeitschrift für Antikes Christentum / Journal of Ancient Christianity, 22(2), 278–295. Link
- Codex Sinaiticus Project. (n.d.). Retrieved from http://www.codexsinaiticus.org/
- Early Church Texts. (n.d.). "The Shepherd of Hermas." Retrieved from https://earlychurchtexts.com/public/shepherd_of_hermas.htm
- Scaife Viewer. (n.d.). "The Shepherd of Hermas." Retrieved from https://scaife.perseus.org/library/urn%3Acts%3AgreekLit%3Atlg1419.tlg001/

These methodologies collectively assist scholars in approximating the original Greek text of the Shepherd of Hermas, enhancing our understanding of this early Christian work.

Note: Access to certain academic resources may require institutional credentials or subscriptions.

Re: Greek Retroversion of the Last Chapters of the Shepherd?

Posted: March 24th, 2025, 8:36 am
by PhillipLebsack
I checked those resources (even the foreign ones, like the one in French), and none of them provide it... I think AI is unhelpful when asking for specifics, as those are good general resources but don't give the retroversion I want. If someone knows of an attempt in a scholarly article or journal please feel free to comment.