2017/06/29 by Nicole Guenther Discenza · 1 citation
Arts and Humanities · #Historical Studies of British Isles #Linguistics and language evolution #Medieval Literature and History
paper · doi:10.1002/9781118396957.wbemlb123
openalex publication_date 2017/06/29 · openalex created_date 2025/10/10 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/14
The Old English Orosius offers a free translation or adaptation of Paulus Orosius's early fifth‐century History against the Pagans into Old English. The translation, probably done between 870 and 930 by an anonymous translator, adds two interviews with travelers to the geographical introduction, shortens the work, and reduces the antipagan polemic. The Anglo‐Saxon translator retains the Latin's focus on pre‐Christian iniquity and shows particular interest in military conflicts and strategies. Changes are not explicitly signaled, and “Orosius said” frequently introduces additions as well as passages translated from the Latin.