Interpolations in Petronius

Abstract

‘The core of practically every problem in textual criticism is a problem of style, and the categories are still far less settled than those of textual criticism. And there is the further danger that the editor in making his recension may fall into the habit of forgetting his responsibility for being continually alive to the author's style. Here I may be allowed to end by recalling a remark of Richard Bentley's in his note on Horace, Odes 3.27.15, nobis et ratio et res ipsa centum codicibus potiores sunt. This remark has always tempted some scholars to misuse it, and it will always continue to do so; but it is true.’ (P.Maas, Textual criticism (1958) 40 f.) That there were interpolations in Petronius' text was recognised early, although it was not until Eduard Fraenkel's more scientific, if controversial, views on Petronian interpolation were communicated and published in K.Müller's first edition of the Satyricon (1961) that an attempt was made to classify and date more serious and unnoticed interpolations.