Reviving the Batrachomyomachia in the Renaissance: Tracing Three Modes of Poem Reception in Latin Literature

Abstract

This article explores the transmission of the Batrachomyomachia (BM) in the Renaissance Latin literature. The BM was attributed to Homer and spread through Latin translations by prominent figures such as Carlo Marsuppini and Johannes Reuchlin, as well as lesser-known poets. Translators often copied and corrected existing translations rather than translating directly from Greek. The journey of the poem was complicated, with the disappearance of the authorship of translations over time and the lack of knowledge of other existing versions. The BM endured in Latin literature and inspired a diverse range of reworkings, making it a testament to the lasting influence of Greek epics on European literature.