Citations de Ménandre dans les ouvrages de Plutarque: texte et interprétation

Abstract

Plutarch’s quotations from Menander are very numerous: a complete scan reveals their importance and the spiritual affi nities between the two writers. Philological checking, when possible, proves that Plutarch often quotes from memory; therefore, though he is an invaluable source, in that he records much that would otherwise be lost, the textual correctness of his quotations can hardly be taken for granted. Most of all, no quotation by Plutarch should be corrected to make it agree with Menander’s text as known from other sources (e.g. papyri). This is confi rmed by the analysis of a dozen quotations from Menander in Plutarch’s writings conducted here, and provides a criterion not to be neglected in the establishment of the Moralia’s text.