On the use of facio as support verb in late and Merovingian Latin

Abstract

Abstract Support verb constructions are documented throughout the history of Latin as well as other (typologically also irrelated) languages. As shown in several studies, such constructions are characterized by the presence of a support verb exhibiting a more or less reduced semantic force, and a predicative (abstract or verbal) noun that often constitutes its direct object. The present contribution deals, specifically, with the use of facio as support verb (as in bellum facere, iter facere, insidias facere, etc.), focussing on the post-classical and late period. In particular, three questions shall be investigated: (i) whether, and if yes, how facio increases its popularity in later centuries both in non-Christian and Christian sources; (ii) how is the spread of use of facio-support verb constructions in the Mulomedicina Chironis and in the Itinerarium Egeriae to be accounted for; (iii) what type of semantic evolution does the verb undergo in later Latin and whether, in this respect, continuity or rupture should be assumed with regard to the archaic and classical periods. This last point will enable us to suggest a more convincing explanation for an often-quoted passage of Cicero (Phil. 3,22), in which the construction contumeliam facere occurs.