Etymology and definition in the "In Aphtonii Sophistae Progymnasmata Commentatio" of Buckhardus Harbart

Abstract

This work intends to show that B. Harbart’s lexicological interest in his Commentatio to Aphtonius’ Progymnasmata must be assumed as a pedagogical resource rather than a linguistic or rhetorical reflection. This lexicological interest focuses on the etymology of the term that names the exercise and on the definition of the exercise. This systematic division between etymology and definition situates Harbart’s text within the Ciceronian tradition, whereas his methodical enumeration sets him apart from the sporadic character of previous Aphtonius’ commentators’ etymologies. Moreover, in the additional analysis definitionis he classifies definitions as causal and explains them taking into account the Aristotelian form/matter pairing.