Fata libellorum: Hyperides and the transmission of attic oratory

Abstract

The recent discovery in the Archimedes Palimpsest of fragments of two lost speeches of Hyperides ( Against Timandros and Against Diondas ) poses new questions about the transmission of his works. This short paper looks for clues from the surviving leaves, and tries to assess their significance in relation to the early MSS of the other Attic orators. The evidence that at least parts of Hyperides’ works were preserved as late as the tenth century forces us to reconsider the story of his survival.