Dubia Aristophanea? Una spiegazione ‘meccanica’ per una notizia antica

Abstract

This paper dwells on the genesis of the ancient notice about four comedies doubtfully attributed to both Aristophanes and Archippus. On the basis of the suspicious alphabetical closeness of both titles and authors’ names, it is argued that the notice may have stemmed from the misreading of the ancient catalogues on literary works. Hints on the layout of the ancient catalogue that originated the error are offered through the observation of witnesses represented by epigraphs, papyri and manuscripts.