Per dynamin – per energian: Hrotsvit of Gandersheim’s knowledge of Greek

This paper investigates Hrotsvit of Gandersheim’s knowledge of Greek. It proceeds from three questions. First, what resources for learning Greek were available in tenth-century Germany? Second, were there any figures in her ambit from whom she could have learned? (I suggest two: sisters Hadwig of Swabia and Gerberga II of Gandersheim.) And third, what evidence exists in Hrotsvit’s works that could indicate Greek competency? Taking her use of dynamis and energia as a test case, I conclude, based on the preponderance of the evidence, fundamental competence in Greek for Hrotsvit should be considered highly likely.