TATIAN,
Oratio ad Graecos and fragments. Edited and translated by M. Whittaker,
Clarendon Press, 1982. XXV,92p. Origianl gilt stamped hardback. Nice copy. Series: Oxford Early Christian Texts. Miss Whittaker’s edition and translation of Tatian’s work includes a comparatively brief introduction, bibliography and notes, with very useful indices of classical quotations and of legendary and mythological names. The notes deal with matters of text and of content. The introduction contains a synopsis of the work, which is very necessary when one considers the chaotic character of the writing, and a list of biblical references. (…) This is the first English translation of Tatiana to be published for many years and it fills a gap in our knowledge of second century Christianity. (…) Tatiana’s Oratio is an apology, but it is more an attack on the literature, philosophy and art of the Hellenistic world than an exposition of Christianity. (…) In contemporary literary fashion he uses the optative mood. He has sixteen quotations from Homer, twenty seven from other classical writers. There are scores, if not hundreds, of names of artists, writers, philosophers, legendary figures. (…) Miss Whittaker’s notes are brief and selective. (…) the present reviewer would welcome more information. It must however be admitted that we cannot tell whether Tatina’s knowledge came from catalogues and lists of quotations or from personal reading (…). His judgments are moral rather than aesthetic. Tatian language is stilted, turgid and obscure. Miss Whittaker accepts responsibility along with Tatian for these in her translation. (…) The printed Greek text is commendably free of errors. (…) Miss Whittaker deserves and is given our thanks.’ (F.E. VOKES in Hermathena, 1983, pp.90-91).
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