Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum
Encyclopedia
The Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum (CSEL) is a series of critical editions of the Latin
Church Fathers
published by a committee of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
.
The CSEL is intended to include the ecclesiastical authors who wrote in Latin from the late 2nd century until the death of Bede
in 735. The texts are edited on the basis of all extant manuscripts and according to the principles of modern textual criticism
and thus aim to provide a critical replacement for the corresponding volumes of the Patrologia Latina
.
Since the establishment of the series in 1864 and the appearance of its first volume in 1866, ninety-five volumes have been published, ranging from Sulpicius Severus
to Augustine
.
Some of the CSEL editions have been superseded by more recent editions in the Corpus Christianorum
series, and others have been included as supplements to the electronic edition of the Corpus Christianorum in the CETEDOC Library of Christian Latin Texts (CLCLT), which has since been expanded into Brepols
' Library of Latin Texts Online.
codices, text editions based on virtually all existing codices are superior to "one source editions" such as Migne
. The Migne edition, which the Corpus edition aims to replace, is however almost complete with its 221 volumes, and is therefore frequently cited even today. In addition, most English
translations
of the Latin Fathers are based on Migne.
The Austria
n Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum openly admits, that only about one third of the necessary writings have been published since 1866. At this slow pace, completion may be achieved in about two hundred and forty years, by the year 2248 or so. The aim to replace the Migne
thus cannot be completed in reasonable time, and may be no more than a well intended, but marginal effort. The problem is accentuated by Academy policy, to use its spare resources to reedit constantly already published volumes, as in the case of Saint Augustine. While textual improvements are always possible and welcome, this is significant. By questioning and reediting its own text critical publications, the Academy raises questions as to the accuracy and longevity of its expensive publications as a whole.
Unfortunately, by not promoting a policy and strategy of completing two thirds of the missing volumes in reasonable time, the Academy remains on scholarly sidelines, leaving Migne
, with all its shortcomings, in place as the only consistent and complete source of Patrologia Latina
, for many decades to come. A serious replacement of the often deficient Migne
edition requires a serious worldwide effort of Latin scholars on the missing two thirds of Latin
patristics
.
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
Church Fathers
Church Fathers
The Church Fathers, Early Church Fathers, Christian Fathers, or Fathers of the Church were early and influential theologians, eminent Christian teachers and great bishops. Their scholarly works were used as a precedent for centuries to come...
published by a committee of the Austrian Academy of Sciences
Austrian Academy of Sciences
The Austrian Academy of Sciences is a legal entity under the special protection of the Federal Republic of Austria. According to the statutes of the Academy its mission is to promote the sciences and humanities in every respect and in every field, particularly in fundamental research...
.
The CSEL is intended to include the ecclesiastical authors who wrote in Latin from the late 2nd century until the death of Bede
Bede
Bede , also referred to as Saint Bede or the Venerable Bede , was a monk at the Northumbrian monastery of Saint Peter at Monkwearmouth, today part of Sunderland, England, and of its companion monastery, Saint Paul's, in modern Jarrow , both in the Kingdom of Northumbria...
in 735. The texts are edited on the basis of all extant manuscripts and according to the principles of modern textual criticism
Textual criticism
Textual criticism is a branch of literary criticism that is concerned with the identification and removal of transcription errors in the texts of manuscripts...
and thus aim to provide a critical replacement for the corresponding volumes of the Patrologia Latina
Patrologia Latina
The Patrologia Latina is an enormous collection of the writings of the Church Fathers and other ecclesiastical writers published by Jacques-Paul Migne between 1844 and 1855, with indices published between 1862 and 1865....
.
Since the establishment of the series in 1864 and the appearance of its first volume in 1866, ninety-five volumes have been published, ranging from Sulpicius Severus
Sulpicius Severus
Sulpicius Severus was a Christian writer and native of Aquitania. He is known for his chronicle of sacred history, as well as his biography of Saint Martin of Tours.-Life:...
to Augustine
Augustine of Hippo
Augustine of Hippo , also known as Augustine, St. Augustine, St. Austin, St. Augoustinos, Blessed Augustine, or St. Augustine the Blessed, was Bishop of Hippo Regius . He was a Latin-speaking philosopher and theologian who lived in the Roman Africa Province...
.
Some of the CSEL editions have been superseded by more recent editions in the Corpus Christianorum
Corpus Christianorum
The Corpus Christianorum is a major publishing undertaking of the Belgian publisher Brepols devoted to patristic and medieval Latin texts. The principal series are the Series Graeca , Series Latina , and the Continuatio Mediaevalis...
series, and others have been included as supplements to the electronic edition of the Corpus Christianorum in the CETEDOC Library of Christian Latin Texts (CLCLT), which has since been expanded into Brepols
Brepols
Brepols was once one of the largest printing companies of the world and one of the main employers in Turnhout . Besides its printing business, Brepols is also active as a publisher...
' Library of Latin Texts Online.
Evaluation and controversy
The Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum, founded in 1864 was seen as a beginning of text-critical editions of the Latin authors. Clearly, given the problematic nature of many LatinLatin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
codices, text editions based on virtually all existing codices are superior to "one source editions" such as Migne
Migné
Migné is a commune in the Indre department in central France.-References:*...
. The Migne edition, which the Corpus edition aims to replace, is however almost complete with its 221 volumes, and is therefore frequently cited even today. In addition, most English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
translations
Translations
Translations is a three-act play by Irish playwright Brian Friel written in 1980. It is set in Baile Beag , a small village at the heart of 19th century agricultural Ireland...
of the Latin Fathers are based on Migne.
The Austria
Austria
Austria , officially the Republic of Austria , is a landlocked country of roughly 8.4 million people in Central Europe. It is bordered by the Czech Republic and Germany to the north, Slovakia and Hungary to the east, Slovenia and Italy to the south, and Switzerland and Liechtenstein to the...
n Corpus Scriptorum Ecclesiasticorum Latinorum openly admits, that only about one third of the necessary writings have been published since 1866. At this slow pace, completion may be achieved in about two hundred and forty years, by the year 2248 or so. The aim to replace the Migne
Migné
Migné is a commune in the Indre department in central France.-References:*...
thus cannot be completed in reasonable time, and may be no more than a well intended, but marginal effort. The problem is accentuated by Academy policy, to use its spare resources to reedit constantly already published volumes, as in the case of Saint Augustine. While textual improvements are always possible and welcome, this is significant. By questioning and reediting its own text critical publications, the Academy raises questions as to the accuracy and longevity of its expensive publications as a whole.
Unfortunately, by not promoting a policy and strategy of completing two thirds of the missing volumes in reasonable time, the Academy remains on scholarly sidelines, leaving Migne
Migné
Migné is a commune in the Indre department in central France.-References:*...
, with all its shortcomings, in place as the only consistent and complete source of Patrologia Latina
Patrologia Latina
The Patrologia Latina is an enormous collection of the writings of the Church Fathers and other ecclesiastical writers published by Jacques-Paul Migne between 1844 and 1855, with indices published between 1862 and 1865....
, for many decades to come. A serious replacement of the often deficient Migne
Migné
Migné is a commune in the Indre department in central France.-References:*...
edition requires a serious worldwide effort of Latin scholars on the missing two thirds of Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
patristics
Patristics
Patristics or Patrology is the study of Early Christian writers, known as the Church Fathers. The names derive from the Latin pater . The period is generally considered to run from the end of New Testament times or end of the Apostolic Age Patristics or Patrology is the study of Early Christian...
.
External links
- CSEL (official page, including a list of volumes)
- Most of the early volumes are available on Google books, here is a list.
- More information on 4th century Christianity