Field and river

20th International Conference of Ethiopian Studies (ICES20)
Mekelle University, Ethiopia

"Regional and Global Ethiopia - Interconnections and Identities"
1-5 October, 2018

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NEW TEXT-CRITICAL EDITION OF THE CHRONICLE OF JOHN OF NIKIU: METHODOLOGICAL ISSUES [Abstract ID: 0805-10]

Daria ELAGINA, University of Hamburg, Germany

The Chronicle of John of Nikiu was first completely edited, published and translated in 1883 by H. Zotenberg on the basis of two Old-Ethiopic Mss. Since that three more Mss containing Old-Ethiopic version became available for research; so, the need of a new critical edition of the text became evident. Using the so-called genealogical-reconstructive method, also known as the common-error or (Neo-) Lachmannian method I proposed a Stemma Codicum for all five known Mss of Old-Ethiopic version. Based on Stemma, and on relative “weight” of each witness – so, on calculus of probability, - a proposal for reconstruction of substance as well as form is probable. I would like to discuss on possibilities and restrictions of genealogical reconstructive method on example of a new edition of the Chronicle of John of Nikiu.