Aristoxenus in Fragments: Between Biography, Philosophy, and Music. Edition, Translation, and Commentary

• Applicant: Professorin Dr. Irmgard Männlein
• Subject Area: Greek and Latin Philology
• Term: since 2026
• Project identifier: Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) - Project number 569103859

The aim of this WEAVE project is to produce a complete edition of all the surviving fragments (and testimonia) of the Greek biographer, historian, philosopher and musical theorist Aristoxenus of Tarentum (370/65 - 300 BC), with English translation and comprehensive commentary, and to publish it (in print and as an online resource) in two volumes. Aristoxenus' biographies of philosophers, his so-called 'antiquarian' writings and his musicological treatises have been quoted by a wide range of ancient authors but survive, for the most part, only in fragments today. In contemporary literature and in the centuries that followed, however, they provided important impulses for the generic establishment of ancient biography, established new insights in music theory and recalled and transmitted important historical events and constellations. A modern collection and critical edition of all currently known Aristoxenus fragments, which meets the methodological requirements of most recent fragment research, as well as a commentary that explains and contextualizes all biographical, antiquarian, philosophical and musicological fragments in detail, has been lacking so far. This philologically, historically, philosophically and musicologically demanding project will be carried out by an international and interdisciplinary team of researchers with different expertise and skills in Tübingen (Germany), Leuven (Belgium) and Lecce (Italy) in close cooperation. It will facilitate access to Aristoxenus’ rich literary production for experts, students and even interested parties without knowledge of ancient Greek. Based on the results of the commentary, (in the introductions of the two volumes) a comprehensive new interpretation of Aristoxenus will be provided.

• DFG Programme: Research Grants
• International Connection: Belgium
• Partner Organisation: Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek - Vlaanderen ; Research Foundation Flanders (FWO)
• Cooperation Partner: Professor Dr. Stefan Schorn