Rufinus' Translation Techniques in the Regula Basili

Abstract

Rufinus of Aquileia (c. 345-411) is one of the most important Latin translators of Greek texts in Late Antiquity. In the summer of 397 he returned to the west, after some 25 years spent in Alexandria and Jerusalem. He brought with him a considerable library of Greek manuscripts. The first task he undertook—very shortly after his arrival—was to translate Basil of Caesarea's Asketikon, which became known in its Latin dress as the Regula Basili. This paper is dedicated to examining the translation techniques used by Rufinus in the Regula Basili.