PREFACE.

To make the use of this edition of certain minor works of Hilary of Poitiers more convenient for readers, we have already set forth in the German language, in the Acts of the Vienna Academy of Sciences, many details concerning the genuineness and character of those books, the nature and relationship of the manuscripts, and certain other more difficult questions. We wrote these dissertations: Studies on Hilary of Poitiers I. The so-called 'Historical Fragments' and the so-called 'Book I to Emperor Constantius' according to their transmission, content-related meaning, and origin, 1910 = Session Reports, phil.-hist. Class CLXII 4. — Studies II. Bishop names and bishop seats in Hilary. Critical investigations into the ecclesiastical prosopography and topography of the 4th century, 1911 = SB CLXVI 5. — Studies III. History of transmission and critique of authenticity of the so-called 'Book II to Constantius', the 'Treatises on the Mysteries', the 'Letter to his daughter Abra', the Hymns. Minor fragments and Spurious works. Together with an appendix: Various matters concerning the version of the biblical passages, 1912 = SB CLXIX 5.

It will therefore be sufficient in this preface to briefly summarize the entire matter, which was recently treated more extensively, with the addition of some supplements and corrections which we think must be changed entirely, either because they were explained less correctly or because the matter has been better considered. However, we earnestly ask the benevolent reader, who might be annoyed at being insufficiently informed here and desires fuller details, not to neglect to make use of those German commentaries.

I. ON THE TREATISES ON THE MYSTERIES.

1. On the Arezzo manuscript original: "codex Aretinus". — 2. On the excerpts of Peter the Deacon and another fragment transmitted by a certain author of the 11th/12th century. — 3. On the first edition and the critical notes of learned men. — 4. On the title and arrangement of the Treatises. — 5. On the lost parts of the Treatises.