The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville [Hardcover]

Stephen A. Barney (Translator), W. J. Lewis (Translator), J. A. Beach (Translator), Oliver Berghof (Translator)

Book Description

Publication Date: July 3, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0521837499 | ISBN-13: 978-0521837491

This work is a complete English translation of the Latin Etymologies of Isidore, Bishop of Seville (c.560-636). Isidore compiled the work between c.615 and the early 630s and it takes the form of an encyclopedia, arranged by subject matter. It contains much lore of the late classical world beginning with the Seven Liberal Arts, including Rhetoric, and touches on thousands of topics ranging from the names of God, the terminology of the Law, the technologies of fabrics, ships and agriculture to the names of cities and rivers, the theatrical arts, and cooking utensils. Isidore provides etymologies for most of the terms he explains, finding in the causes of words the underlying key to their meaning. This book offers a highly readable translation of the twenty books of the Etymologies, one of the most widely known texts for a thousand years from Isidore's time.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"It...is a work of reference which will appeal to a wide range of medievalists as well as classicists, especially those interested in medieval and Roman science and knowledge. The book is described as a "highly readable translation," which it certainly is, and also a "complete English translation" of the original work (p. i). " - H-NET, Keith Lilley, School of Geography, Archaeology and Palaeoecology, Queen's University Belfast

Book Description

This book provides a complete English translation - together with introduction and notes - of the Etymologies of Isidore of Seville, the main encyclopedic resource in the Middle Ages. This highly-readable translation of the text is essential reading for the medievalist, linguist or student of the history of Western thought.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 488 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (July 3, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521837499
• ISBN-13: 978-0521837491
• Product Dimensions: 7.4 x 1.3 x 9.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,887,537 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars lovely translation of THE encyclopedia! December 4, 2010

By Steve Rozenski

Format:Paperback

For a thousand years, this book by Isidore of Seville quite simple was THE reference book for any educated person. Having this in English translation was treasure enough, but now to see it in an affordable paperback is even more thrilling! An excellent read, absolutely vital for understanding what a medieval thinker may have thought about just about any given subject.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A great little edition September 27, 2011

By A Silent Reader

Format:Paperback

To second the previous reviewer, this is a great little translation of Isidore of Seville's Etymologies at a reasonable price. There are editions of Isidore that give more commentary (the ongoing Belles Lettres edition in particular), but this translation is a gem, providing Isidore's entire work with a scholarly translation. Furthermore, the translation helpfully gives Latin equivalents for the terms Isidore is defining or etymologizing, and is furnished with several helpful indices (a General Index, an Index of Greek Words, and an Index of Sources).