Some observations on the prefaces to two Greek versions of the life of Hilarion by Jerome (BHG 752 and 753)

Abstract

Composed by Jerome at the end of the 4th century, the Life of the Monk Hilarion (BHL 3879) was translated into Greek in a variety of contexts. The richness and diversity of the Greek dossier of this Latin legend provides an excellent starting point for examining the linguistic and cultural transfers of Latin hagiographical texts to the Greek-speaking world. After a brief literature review of the subject, this article presents a comparative study of the prefaces to the two main Greek versions of the legend of Hilarion (Lives BHG 752 and 753). Life BHG 752 is re-edited here in the light of a new manuscript discovery. By looking closely at the two prefaces, we can explore the ways in which a Latin hagiographical text was translated and rewritten in Greek.