Ancient Commentators on Aristotle project
The Ancient Commentators on Aristotle project began in 1987 under the direction of Richard Sorabji and aims to translate the principal Greek commentaries on Aristotle into English for the first time (along with a number of related philosophical texts from late antiquity). The project has been described by The Times newspaper as 'a massive scholarly endeavour of the highest importance'.
Who's Who
Our work
To date, 100 volumes have been published or sent to press, with a further 23 assigned or under consideration. A number of explanatory volumes have also been published, including a three-volume sourcebook on the philosophy of the ancient commentators (1: Psychology, 2: Physics, 3: Logic and Metaphysics). The proceedings of a recent conference organized by the project have also been published.
The following documents relating to the project are available:
For further information about the project visit its new website.
The 100 volumes of translation completed
Of the 15,000 pages of Diels’ edition of the commentators on Aristotle, 8,300 pages of what was judged most important has been translated. But besides this, the series has expanded beyond Diels’ selection to a substantial number of further texts.
Philoponus - 30 volumes
Against Aristotle, 1 volume
Against Aristotle on the Eternity of the World, Translated by C. Wildberg, 1987. Amazon link
On the Soul and On Intellect, 5 volumes
On Aristotle On the Soul 1.1-2, Translated by P. van der Eijk, 2005. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Soul 1.3-5, Translated by P. van der Eijk, 2006. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Soul 2.1-6, Translated by W. Charlton, 2005. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Soul 2.7-12, Translated by W. Charlton, 2005. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Soul 3.1-8 , Translated by W. Charlton, 2000. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Intellect, Translated by W. Charlton with F. Bossier, 1991. Amazon link
Pseudo-Philoponus On the Soul Book 3, with Stephanus on On Interpretation, 1 volume
Pseudo-Philoponus On Aristotle On the Soul 3.9-13, with Stephanus On Aristotle On Interpretation, Translated by W. Charlton, 2000. Amazon link
On Coming-to-Be and Perishing, 3 volumes
On Aristotle On Coming-to-Be and Perishing 1.1-5, Translated by C. J. F. Williams, 1999. Amazon link
On Aristotle On Coming-to-Be and Perishing 1.6-2.4, Translated by C. J. F. Williams, 2000. Amazon link
On Aristotle On Coming-to-Be and Perishing 2.5-11, Translated by I. Kupreeva, 2005. Amazon link
Against Proclus on the Eternity of the World, 4 volumes
Against Proclus on the Eternity of the World 1-5, Translated by M. Share, 2005. Amazon link
Against Proclus on the Eternity of the World 6-8, Translated by M. Share, 2005. Amazon link
Against Proclus on the Eternity of the World 9-11, Translated by M. Share, 2010. Amazon link
Against Proclus on the Eternity of the World 12-18, Translated by J. Wilberding, 2006. Amazon link
Commentary on Physics (incl. 1 from Arabic and Corollaries with Simplicius against Philoponus), 9 volumes
On Aristotle Physics 1.1-3, Translated by C. Osborne, 2006. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 1.4-9, Translated by C. Osborne, 2009. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 2, Translated by A. R. Lacey, 1993. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 3, Translated by M. Edwards, 1994. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 4.1-5, Translated by K. Algra & J. Ophuijsen, 2012. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 4.6-9, Translated by P. Huby, 2012. Amazon link
On Aristotle On Physics 4.10-14, Translated by S. Broadie, 2011. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 5-8, Translated by P. Lettinck, with Simplicius On Aristotle on the Void, Translated by J. O. Urmson, 1994. Amazon link
Corollaries on Place and Void, Translated by D. Furley, with Simplicius Against Philoponus On the Eternity of the World, Translated by C. Wildberg, 1991. Amazon link
On Posterior Analytics, including by Pseudo-Philoponus, 4 volumes
On Aristotle Posterior Analytics 1.1-8, Translated by R. McKirahan, 2008. Amazon link
On Aristotle's Posterior Analytics 1.9-18, Translated by R. McKirahan, 2012. Amazon link
On Aristotle Posterior Analytics 1.19-34, Translated by O. Goldin and M. Martijn, 2012. Amazon link
On Aristotle Posterior Analytics 2, Translated by O. Goldin, 2009. Amazon link
On Meteorology, 2 volumes
On Aristotle Meteorology 1.1-3, Translated by I. Kupreeva, 2011. Amazon link
On Aristotle Meteorology 1.4-9, 12, Translated by I. Kupreeva, 2012. Amazon link
Alexander of Aphrodisias - 19 volumes
On Generation and Corruption, newly discovered Arabic fragments, 1 volume
On Aristotle On Coming-to-Be and Perishing 2.2-5, (Guest Editor P. Adamson), Translated by E. Gannagé, 2005. Amazon link
On Metaphysics, 4 volumes
On Aristotle Metaphysics 1, Translated by W. Dooley, 1989. Amazon link
On Aristotle Metaphysics 2-3, Translated by W. Dooley and A. Madigan, 1992. Amazon link
On Aristotle Metaphysics 4, Translated by A. Madigan, 1993. Amazon link
On Aristotle Metaphysics 5, Translated by W. Dooley, 1993. Amazon link
Problems, including Ethical Problems, 3 volumes
Ethical Problems, Translated by R. W. Sharples, 1990. Amazon link
Quaestiones 1.1-2.15, Translated by R. W. Sharples, 1992. Amazon link
Quaestiones 2.16-3.15, Translated by R. W. Sharples, 1994. Amazon link
On Prior Analytics, 5 volumes
On Aristotle Prior Analytics 1.1-7, Translated by J. Barnes, S. Bobzien, K. Flannery, K. Ierodiakonou, 1991. Amazon link
On Aristotle Prior Analytics 1.14-22, Translated by I. Mueller with J. Gould, 1999. Amazon link
On Aristotle Prior Analytics 1.8-13, Translated by I. Mueller with J. Gould, 1999. Amazon link
On Aristotle Prior Analytics 1.23-31, Translated by I. Mueller, 2006. Amazon link
On Aristotle Prior Analytics 1.32-46, Translated by I. Mueller, 2006. Amazon link
On Meteorology, 2 volumes (expanded from 1)
On Aristotle Meteorology 4, Translated by E. Lewis, 1996. Amazon link
on On Sense Perception, 1 volume
On Aristotle On Sense Perception, Translated by A. Towey, 2000. Amazon link
On Topics Book 1, 1 volume
On Aristotle Topics 1, Translated by J. M. Van Ophuijsen, 2001. Amazon link
On the Soul, supplement, 1 volume
Supplement to On the Soul, Translated by R. W. Sharples, 2004. Amazon link
On the Soul, 2 volumes, 1 forthcoming
On the Soul: Part I, Translate by V. Caston, 2012.
Amazon link
Simplicius - 29 volumes
On Categories, 4 volumes
On Aristotle Categories 1-4, Translated by M. Chase, 2003. Amazon link
On Aristotle Categories 5-6, Translated by F. de Haas and B. Fleet, 2001. Amazon link
On Aristotle Categories 7-8, Translated by B. Fleet, 2002. Amazon link
On Aristotle Categories 9-15, Translated by R. Gaskin, 2000. Amazon link
On Epictetus, 2 volumes
On Epictetus Handbook 1-26, Translated by C. Brittain and T. Brennan, 2002. Amazon link
On Epictetus Handbook 27-53, Translated by T. Brennan and C. Brittain, 2002. Amazon link
On Physics (including Corollaries), 11 volumes, 1 forthcoming
On Aristotle Physics 1.3-4, Translated by P. Huby and C. Taylor, 2011. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics1.5-9, Translated by H. Baltussen, M. Atkinson, M. Share & I. Mueller, 2012. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 2, Translated by B. Fleet, 1997. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 3, Translated by J. O. Urmson with P. Lautner, 2001. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 4.1-5 and 10-14, Translated by J. O. Urmson, 1992. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 5, Translated by J. O. Urmson, 1997. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 6, Translated by D. Konstan, 1989. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 7, Translated by C. Hagen, 1994. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 8.1-5, Translated by M. Share, I. Bodnar, M. Chase, 2012. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 8.6-10, Translated by R. McKirahan, 2001. Amazon link
Corollaries on Place and Time, Translated by J. O. Urmson with L. Siorvanes, 1992. Amazon link
On the Heavens Books 1 to 4, 9 volumes
On Aristotle On the Heavens 1.10-12, Translated by R. J. Hankinson, 2006. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Heavens 1.1-4, Translated by R. J. Hankinson, 2002. Amazon link
On Aristotle on the Heavens 1.2-3, Translated by I. Mueller, 2011. Amazon link
On Aristotle on the Heavens 1.3-4, Translated by I. Mueller, 2011. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Heavens 1.5-9, Translated by R. J. Hankinson, 2004. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Heavens 2.1-9, Translated by I. Mueller, 2004. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Heavens 2.10-14, Translated by I. Mueller, 2005. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Heavens 3.1-7, Translated by I. Mueller, 2009. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Heavens 3.7-4.6, Translated by I. Mueller, 2009. Amazon link
Simplicius on On the Soul Books 1-2, with Pseudo-Simplicius (=Priscian?) on On the Soul Book 3, 3 volumes
On Aristotle On the Soul 1.1-2.4, Translated by J. O. Urmson with P. Lautner, 1995. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Soul 3.1-5, Translated by H. Blumenthal, 2000. Amazon link
On Aristotle On the Soul 3.6-13, Translated by Carlos Steel, 2013. Amazon link
Supplement to On the Soul, Translated by R. W. Sharples, 2004. Amazon link
Ammonius - 4 volumes
On Categories, 1 volume
On Aristotle Categories, Translated by S. M. Cohen and G. B. Matthews, 1991. Amazon link
on On Interpretation, 3 volumes
On Aristotle On Interpretation 1-8, Translated by D. Blank, 1996. Amazon link
On Aristotle On Interpretation 9, Translated by D. Blank, with Boethius On Aristotle On Interpretation 9
Translated by N. Kretzmann, 1998. Amazon link
Themistius - 5 volumes
On the Soul, 1 volume
On Aristotle on the Soul, Translated by R. B. Todd, 1996. Amazon link
On Physics, 3 volumes
On Aristotle Physics1-3, Translated by R. B. Todd, 2012. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 4, Translated by R. B. Todd, 2003. Amazon link
On Aristotle Physics 5-8, Translated by R. B. Todd, 2008. Amazon link
Porphyry - 3 volumes
On Categories, 1 volume
On Aristotle Categories, Translated by S. Strange, 1992. Amazon link
On Abstinence from Killing Animals, 1 volume
On Abstinence from Killing Animals, Translated by G. Clark, 2000. Amazon link
To Gaurus on embryologywith What is in Our Power (expanded into 1 volume)
To Gaurus on How Embryos are Ensouled, and On What is Up to Us, Translated by J. Wilberding, 2011. Amazon link
Proclus - 4 volumes
On Cratylus, 1 volume
On Plato Cratylus, (Guest Editor H. Tarrant), Translated by B. Duvick, 2007. Amazon link
3 treatises on Providence 3 volumes
On the Existence of Evils, Translated by J. Opsomer and C. Steel, 2003. Amazon link
On Providence, Translated by C. Steel, 2007. Amazon link
Ten Problems Concerning Providence, Translated by C. Steel and J. Opsomer, 2012. Amazon link
Boethius - 2 volumes
on On Interpretation, 2 volumes
On Aristotle On Interpretation Books 1-3, Translated by A. Smith, 2010. Amazon link
On Aristotle On Interpretation Books 4-6, Translated by A. Smith, 2011. Amazon link
Dexippus - 1 volume
On Categories, 1 volume
On Aristotle Categories, Translated by J. Dillon, 1990. Amazon link
Aspasius (with Michael of Ephesus and Anonymous) - 2 volumes
On Nicomachean Ethics, 2 volumes
On Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics 1-4, 7-8, Translated by D. Konstan, 2006. Amazon link
On Aristotle Nicomachean Ethics 8-9, Translated by D. Konstan, 2001.
Amazon link
Syrianus - 2 volumes
On Metaphysics, 2 volumes
On Aristotle Metaphysics 3-4, Translated by D. O’Meara & J. Dillon, 2008. Amazon link
On Aristotle Metaphysics 13-14, Translated by J. Dillon and D. O’Meara, 2006. Amazon link
Priscian - 1.5 volumes, included above under Simplicius
See under Simplicius (=Priscian?) for On the Soul book 3, and for Priscian On Theophrastus
On Aristotle On the Soul 2.5-12, Translated by C. Steel, with Priscian, On Theophrastus on Sense Perception, Translated by P. Huby, 1997. Amazon link
Stephanus - up to 2 volumes, mostly uncertain, included above under Philoponus
On Interpretation, and (=Stephanus?) on Aristotle On the Soul Book 3
Aeneas of Gaza Theophrastus and Zacharias Ammonius - 1 volume
Theophrastus, Translated by J. Dillon and D. Russell with Zacharias of Mytilene Ammonius Translated by S. Gertz, 2012. Amazon link
Explanatory volumes published in connection with the Ancient Commentators on Aristotle series of translations.
Richard Sorabji, Philoponus and the Rejection of Aristotelian Science
Contributors: R. Sorabji, H. Chadwick, P. Hoffmann, M. Wolff, F. Zimmermann, D. Furley, D. Sedley, W. Bernard, L. Judson, C. Wildberg, C. Schmitt.
Duckworth and Cornell UP, 1987, 2nd edition with 2 new chapters Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies, supp. vol. 2008; Greek translation by Elias Tempelis, Chloe Balla, 2007.
Richard Sorabji, Aristotle Transformed: The Ancient Commentators and Their Influence
Contributors: R. Sorabji, K. Praechter, H. B. Gottschalk, R. W. Sharples, H. J. Blumenthal, P. Hadot, S. Ebbesen, H. D. Saffrey, K. Verrycken, I. Hadot, L. G. Westerink, J. Shiel, R. Browning, H. P. F. Mercken, I. Mueller, D. R. Morrison
Duckworth and Cornell UP, 1990
Richard Sorabji, The Philosophy of the Commentators, 200-600 AD: 1. Psychology (with Ethics and Religion)
Duckworth and Cornell UP, 2004
Richard Sorabji, The Philosophy of the Commentators, 200-600 AD: 2. Physics
Duckworth and Cornell UP, 2004
Richard Sorabji, The Philosophy of the Commentators, 200-600 AD: Volume 3. Logic and Metaphysics
Duckworth and Cornell UP, 2004
Peter Adamson, Han Baltussen, M. W. F. Stone, Philosophy, Science, and Exegesis in Greek, Arabic, and Latin Commentaries, 2 vols.,Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies Supplement 83
Contributors: R. Sorabji, S. Fazzo, H. Baltussen, G. Betegh, R. W. Sharples, I. Kupreeva, G. Karamanolis, R. Chiaradonna, J. Opsomer, P. Lautner, H. Tarrant, R. M. van den Berg, A. Somfai, K. Ierodiakonou, J. Sellars, G. Strohmaier, P. E. Pormann, M. Rashed, P. Adamson, D. Gutas, S. Harvey, R. C. Taylor, D. N. Haase, R. Wisnovsky
London: Institute of Classical Studies, 2004
Richard Sorabji, Robert W. Sharples, Greek and Roman Philosophy 100 BC-200 AD. 2 vols. Bulletin of the Institute of Classical Studies. Supplement 94.
Contributors (vol.I): R. Sorabji, S. White, G. Boys-Stones, M. Griffin, J. Sellars, C. Gill, M. Trapp, D. Clay, V. Tsouna, S. Trepanier
Contributors (vol.II): C. Brittain, H. Tarrant, J. Powell, M. Trapp, M. Bonazzi, J. Opsomer, J. Dillon, A. Kritikos, G. Boys-Stones, D. Runia, R. W. Sharples, T. Reinhardt, J. Barnes, R. Sorabji
London: Institute of Classical Studies, University of London, 2007.
Future Plans
The Bristol Classical Press will put the translations and Sourcebook on-line with print on demand, including a paperback at less than half price.
The next volumes will expand coverage, and while including a few of the remaining commentaries on Aristotle from the main series edited by Diels, will add translations from Syriac, Hebrew and Arabic of commentaries lost in Greek and from newly discovered Greek fragments. It will also translate philosophical works revealing the background of Christian-pagan philosophical controversy.
Extracts from Reviews
'A scholarly marvel. … A massive scholarly endeavour of the highest importance. For such an undertaking to be commissioned in this day and age is the stuff of which legends are made'. (Peter Jones, The Times of London).
'Without any doubt the most important event of recent decades in the study of Arabic philosophy.' (A. Hasnaoui, CNRS, Paris)
'One of the great scholarly achievements of our time' (Christopher Taylor, Review in British Journal for the History of Philosophy of Festschrift, ed., Ricardo Salles, Metaphysics, Soul and Ethics: Themes from the Work of Richard Sorabji).
'The Greek commentators are now being read around the world with an intensity of interest they have not received since they were first written.' (Myles Burnyeat, Classical Association News).
'The situation has changed radically during the last three decades, mostly thanks to Sorabji's projects. The huge corpus of the Commentaria in Aristotelem Graeca is now intensively studied and the philosophy of the commentators is widely recognized as a crucial aspect of ancient thought. The Sourcebook can be seen as the crowning of this renaissance of interest.' (Riccardo Chiaradonna and Marwan Rashed, Oxford Studies in Ancient Philosophy 38, 2010, reviewing the 3-volume Sourcebook on the subject).
Contact
Tel +44 (0)20 7848 2528
Email aca@kcl.ac.uk
Address Ancient Commentators on Aristotle
Department of Philosophy
King's College London
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