Latin Version H
The Latin texts of the Historia Septem Sapientum are the prototypes and originals for all other iterations of the Version H in other languages.
The Latin Historia likely originated as a translation of the the French Version A tradition, composed in the Alsace region sometime in the late 13th or early 14th centuries. The oldest suviving manuscript is that in Innsbruck Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Tirol Cod. 310, composed in 1342; however, Roth posits that given the rapid and broad spread of the narrative by about 1360, and given the fact that many of the other early texts appear to have a different source than the Innsbruck manuscript, it is likely that the narrative was in circulation in Latin in the second quarter of the 14th century at the latest, and possibly as early as 1285 (Roth, 2004, pp. 7-14). The earlier date seems credible (if perhaps unlikely) as it is a proposed early date for the circulation of the Gesta Romanorum - within which many Version H texts are contain - in Germany and France. The relationship of the Historia to the Gesta is well discussed in scholarship; Gaston Paris suggested that inclusion in the Gesta might account for the emperor's name in Version H ('Poncianus' rather than 'Diocletianus'), as the Gesta already discusses an Emperor Dioclecian.
As with all the Historia versions, the Latin Version H introduces the new story, Amatores, and combines Senescalcus and Roma to make space for the addition. Additionally, the Latin Version H pioneers the inclusion of the story 'Amici'. After relating the narrative Vaticinium, the prince segues into a continuation of a story that follows the popular medieval narrative of the faithful friend, often called Amicus and Amelius, Ami et Amile, or Amis and Amiloun in Middle English. The resulting story, Vaticinium and Amici, is a long and wide ranging conclusion to the Historia's embedded narrative tradition.
The Latin Historia is known for its elaborate and extensive moralisations following each of the exempla. It also often concludes with with further relevations that are intended to prove the empress's villainy. One of the empress's maidens is called forward by the prince, and publicly stripped, revealing male (not female) genitalia. The outing of this character's biological sex is universally read as proof of the empress's adultery, with the assumption being that this 'maid' is really a man cross-dressing in order to conduct an affair with the empress. The supposed-lover is then executed alongside the empress.
General Information
Language & Composition
Literature & Editions
Recorded Branch of This Secondary Version
- H (Historia Septem Sapientum)
- Czech Version H: Kronika sedmi mudrců
- Danish Version H
- Dutch Version H
- English Version H
- French Version H
- German Version H
- Hungarian Version H: Pontianus tsaszar historiaia
- Icelandic Version H
- Latin Version H
- Polish Version H
- Scots Version H: Rolland, Seuin Seages
- Spanish Version H: Los Siete Sabios de Roma
- Swedish Version H: Sju vise mästare
- Yiddish Version H
{{#if:Historia septem sapientum Romae. (=D) Straßburg: [Matthias Schürer,] 1512, Historia septem sapientum Romae. Albi: [Printer of Aeneas Silvius, 1475-1481], Historia septem sapientum Romae. Antwerpen: Gerard Leeu, 6 Nov 1490, Historia septem sapientum Romae. Delft: Christiaen Snellaert, 1495, Historia septem sapientum Romae. Wien: s.n., 1526, Historia septem sapientum Romae. [Deventer: Richard Paffraet, 1476-1480], Historia septem sapientum Romae. [Gouda: Gerard Leeu, 1479-1482], Historia septem sapientum Romae. [Köln: Printer of pseudo-Augustinus, De fide (Johann Schilling), 1473], Historia septem sapientum Romae. [Köln]: Johannes Koelhoff d. Ä., 1490, Historia septem sapientum Romae. [Lyon: Guillaume Balsarin, 1487-1490], Historia septem sapientum Romae. [Toulouse: Henri Mayer, 1494]
Adaptations
Pattern of Embedded Stories in This Version
Connected Manuscripts