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Who wrote the commentary on Aristotle's Categories found in the palimpsest?

Asked 26 Oct 2026 by ·Part of What in the palimpsest remains unread or unidentified?·3 answers·0·0 following
Most likely: the commentary is by Porphyry and preserves fragments of the earlier commentator Boethus of SidonAhead on the evidence, not yet confirmed. It needs two reviews to be accepted.

Where it stands

Three answers have been proposed. The commentary is by Porphyry and preserves fragments of the earlier commentator Boethus of Sidon. leads, with evidence 1 for, 1 against: partly supported by its tests. Two are still possible.

Why it matters

The commentary dates from the second or third century AD and is otherwise unknown; its author matters for the history of the ancient commentators⁠[1]⁠[2].

Answers 3

Evidence: 1 for, 1 against
Most likely
None of these.
Not tested enough to call either way
Evidence: none yet
Still possible
Evidence: none yet
Still possible

History

  1. Chiaradonna et al. puts forward: the commentary is by Porphyry and preserves fragments of the earlier commentator Boethus of Sidon.
  2. Acerbi: the 2011 edition's discussion of authorship was judged inconclusive by a reviewer.Against: The commentary is by Porphyry and preserves fragments of the earlier commentator Boethus of Sidon.
  3. Chiaradonna et al.: the editors proposed Porphyry, with a question mark, in the title of their study.For: The commentary is by Porphyry and preserves fragments of the earlier commentator Boethus of Sidon.
  4. Asked on this site
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