The Anglo-Saxon Version, From the Historian Orosius
by Orosius
Paulus Orosius (born c. 375, died after 418) was a priest, historian, theologian, and a student of Augustine of Hippo.
Alfred the Great, son of King Aethelwulf of Wessex, was born in 849.[1] He reigned from 871 to 899, and died with charters referring to him as king of the Anglo-Saxons.[2] Much of what is known about Alfred comes from a biography by Bishop Asser, a man who was close to the king.[3] Alfred valued learning.[4] Four books are attributed to him and he had other works, “books necessary for all men to know," translated.[5]
An anonymous translator, most likely inspired by Alfred, the Great's enthusiasm for Latin learning,[6] produced an Old English version of Orosius's Historiae Adversum Paganos. In 1773, Daniel Barrington translated the Old English and produced The Anglo-Saxon Version, From the Historian Orosius. Unfortunately, the Barrington's text received "much criticism for its unreliability."[7]
Bibliographic Information
Author: Orosius; Anglo-Saxon translation attributed to Alfred, King of England; English translation by Daniel Barrington.
Title: The Anglo-Saxon Version, From the Historian Orosius.
Published: London: Printed by W. Bowyer and J. Nichols, 1773.
Edition: First edition; 2 volumes.
Evidence for Inclusion in Wythe's Library
Description of the Wolf Law Library's copy
Includes book plate of the Right Honourable George John Earl De la Warr.
View this book in William & Mary's online catalog.
External Links
References
- ↑ Patrick Wormald, "Alfred (848/9–899)," in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004- ), accessed Sept. 25, 2013. (Subscription required for access.)
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Ibid.
- ↑ Michael Lapidge, "Scholars at King Alfred's court (act. 880–899)" in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography (Oxford University Press, 2004- ), accessed 27 Sept 2013.
- ↑ David Philip Miller, "Barrington, Daines (1727/8–1800)" in Oxford Dictionary of National Biography(Oxford University Press, 2004- ), accessed Sept. 27, 2013.
