LANGUAGE AND TEXTUAL CRITICISM: NIGIDIUS FIGULUS, FR. 9 SWOBODA*

This paper deals with Nigidius' fragment 9 Swoboda, which is included in a passage of Nonius' De compendiosa doctrina (p. 58, 12-16 Lindsay). Although the text is very brief, many emendations have been proposed throughout the centuries. The passage seems very obscure in terms of its textual coherence. A new reading, including a brief extract from the Carmen Saliare contained therein, pays attention to the consensus codicum. The passage is interpreted in terms of an etymological explanation, Stoic in character, of the verb tintinire, exemplified by a phrase taken from the Carmen Saliare.