MS C189 Text 1
Title: Isagoge (Introduction)
Author: Porphyry of Tyre (c. 234-305 C.E.)
Translator: Boethius (c. 475 C.E - c. 524 C.E.)
Language: Latin
"[rubric] Incipit liber Porfirii. [incipit] Cum sit necesariu[m] Grisarori [et] ad eam que est apud Aristotele[m] p[re]dicam[en]to[rum] doctrina[m] ... [explicit] s[ed] sufficiu[n?]t [et] h[ec?] ad [dis?]cretio[n]is eo[rum] [com]municiusq[ue] tradit[i]o[n]em.. [rubric]."
Isagoge
Porphyry wrote the Isagoge, as an introduction to Aristotle’s logical works in particular, Aristotle’s Categories. He combined Aristotle's logic with Plato’s philosophies particularly, Aristotle’s doctrine of categories, which Porphyry re-interpreted as “universal” entities. The Isagoge was written in Greek and popularized in part, through Boethius’ Latin translations
Porphyry of Tyre
(c. 234-305 C.E.)
Born: Tyre, Phoenicia (modern Syria)
Died: Rome?
Ancius Manlius Severinus Boethius
(c. 475 C.E - c. 524 C.E.)Born: Rome, Italy
Died: Italy
Boethius was a bridge between classical Greek philosophy and the Latin Middle Ages. As a member of the Roman aristocracy, he learned Greek, which allowed him to translate Classical literature. Boethius frequently referenced Porphyry’s writings and he used his logical training to support theological discussions. Boethius began before 510 to translate Porphyry’s Isagoge (Introduction), which he expanded upon in his commentary.
