From serious belief to sarcastic amusement: proverbs from ancient Greece in one of the oldest German-language rhyming books
Losbuch in deutschen Reimpaaren
Limburg (Germany) — Last quarter of the 14th century

Losbuch in deutschen Reimpaaren
Limburg (Germany) — Last quarter of the 14th century
One of the oldest and most extensive rhymed books to be completely written in German
The sayings from ancient Greece were translated from Arabic into Latin before being translated into German
The tone of the questions and answers swing between serious belief and sneering amusement
Losbuch in deutschen Reimpaaren
Short Description
Rhymed books in the Middle Ages often contained a curious combination of texts for both moral edification and simple entertainment. The Losbuch in deutschen Reimpaaren is among the oldest and most extensive of this genre. It is a collection of sayings from ancient Greece that were translated from Arabic into Latin. This book is part of a wave of interest in translating Arabic texts that began in the 12th century and lasted for centuries.
Losbuch in deutschen Reimpaaren
This volume belongs among the oldest and most extensive rhymed books to be completely written in German and is a collection of sayings representing moral exhortations or sociable entertainment. The collection of sayings that were in use in ancient Greece and were associated with solemn rites are a starting point in the book.
Part of a Wave of Arabic Translations
The translation of many Arabic works into Latin in the 12th Century awakened an interest in further exploration of the sayings in the West. In early 14th century Germany, further analysis of the sayings was being undertaken. This volume falls into this transitional period. The formulation of the questions and answers swing between serious belief on the one hand and sneering amusement on the other.
Codicology
- Size / Format
- 46 pages / 29.5 x 20.0 cm
- Origin
- Limburg (Germany)
- Date
- Last quarter of the 14th century
- Epochs
- Style
- Genre
- Language
- Illustrations
- 2 full-page miniatures, all the other pages with small ornamental bands
- Previous Owners
- Royal Imperial Ambraser collection
1 available facsimile edition(s) of „Losbuch in deutschen Reimpaaren“
Losbuch in deutschen Reimpaaren
- Publisher
- Akademische Druck- u. Verlagsanstalt (ADEVA) – Graz, 1972
- Binding
- Leather, according to the original.
- Commentary
-
1 volume (34 pages) by W. Abraham
Language: German
Scholarly introduction by W. Abraham, Groningen. 34 pp. text. 2 colour plates. - More Information
- All folios are cut according to the original.
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