Johannes Freinsheim: Supplements in Q. Curtium

Content The present manuscript offers the Latin text and German translation of Johann Freinsheims Supplementa in Q. Curtium (Supplements to Quintus Curtius, first published in Strasburg 1639). The Supplementa are additions to the ancient history of Alexander the Great written by Quintus Curtius Rufus (probably of the 1st century): Freinsheim rewrote all parts that were lost during the tradition of the text and completed the history to 10 books. In doing so, he con- sulted 165 writings by 113 ancient, medieval and contemporary authors who wrote about Al- exander the Great. Freinsheim was not concerned with presenting a historical account according to mod- ern standards. Because the purpose of historiography at the time was to improve the readers, Freinsheims goal was to present an exemplary ruler and commander who can deal with the challenges in politics and on the battlefield. As Freinsheim was a Protestant and spread this message from the Protestant city of Strasbourg, his Supplementa may be regarded as a contri- bution to the journalistic propaganda during the Thirty Years War. His excellent command of language and the successful imitation of Quintus Curtius, though, make the Supplementa a rewarding read even today. Innovative aspects While the Supplementa in Q. Curtium are supposedly one of the most printed Neo-Latin texts, a reliable edition and a complete, modern translation are still missing. The present manuscript fixes this shortcoming. For the first time, Freinsheims text is placed within the context of contemporary scholarship during the Thirty Years War. Furthermore, his way of working and thinking is made transparent by some 1200 references that were checked one by one. All 165 texts that he (probably) used are cited by modern and contemporary editions, the latter even with online access.