On the reconstruction of lost sources

Ella Landau-Tasseron*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

30 Scopus citations

Abstract

Many sources have not come down to us, therefore scholars make attempts to reconstruct them from quotations in later works. This paper argues that the reconstruction of lost sources does not consist in mere collection of quotations. By a ciose examination of three late sources, the paper shows that quotations may be second hand or third hand, while having the appearance of direct citations. It also shows how quoted material can be quite transformed from the original. The conclusion is that when attempting reconstruction, the sources from which the quotations are taken should be carefully examined for their intent, methodology, and terminology of transmission.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)45-91
Number of pages47
JournalAl-Qantara
Volume25
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - 2004

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'On the reconstruction of lost sources'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this