Against the Grammarians, by Sextus Empiricus: annotated translation, final section (M 1. 270-320)

Abstract

Annotated translation of the final section (M1. 270-320) of the treatise Against the Grammarians, written by the pyrrhonian skeptical philosopher Sextus Empiricus (c. second century AD). In this passage, Sextus, discussing the duties of the grammatical expertise, after dealing with the technical part (M1. 97-247), and the so-called historical part (M1. 247-269), approach the part which deals with poets and writers. In his exposition we can find arguments from epicurean origin, those that affirm the uselessness and harmfulness of grammar and poetry, as well as skeptical ones, which demonstrate the incoherence and insubstantiality of the grammatical endeavor. The notes to the translation intend to point and widen important questions, to justify our translational choices and to draw parallels with other works by the author or the period.