Opere letterarie e collettori d'aforismi (formule proverbiali in Rutilius Namatianus)

Abstract

The British Library holds an editio princeps of the De reditu suo by Rutilius Namatianus (Bologna 1520: 1069.b.34) with marginal notes by an anonymous commentator. These marginalia allow us to analyse this Latin work as an ensemble of aphorisms and proverbs dating back to Virgilio, Ovidio, Seneca and Marziale. The notoriety they acquired over time has contributed to the work's fame until the time of the 'concettisti' (XVI-XVII Century). The reference to the old wisdom, conveyed through short forms, was used to reinforce consensus toward Rutilius both personal and public life.