Percorsi dell’esegesi dalla Penisola Iberica all’Italia

This study examines the transmission of exegetical texts from the Iberian Peninsula to Italy up to the 11th century, with occasional references to the 12th century when indicative of earlier contacts. Key findings highlight the case of Gregory of Elvira, whose commentary on the Song of Songs – though lacking a direct Italian tradition – served as a source for later Iberian exegesis that did reach Italy. A crucial example is Justus of Urgell’s «Explanatio in Cantica Canticorum», attested in central Italy through both direct and indirect traditions; it also exerted influence through its incorporation into a Tuscan exegetical compilation, as well as through an Iberian commentary (Vox ecclesiae), which reached Italy and contributed to Gregory’s and Justus’ reception in later biblical scholarship. Further, Isidore of Seville’s exegetical works were present in northern Italian scriptoria by the 7th century, particularly in Bobbio and Verona. The research also identifies the indirect influence of a Visigothic commentary on Genesis (Intexuimus), preserved in Montecassino in the 9th century. Two notable cases of Beatus of Liébana’s Commentary on the Apocalypse demonstrate distinct transmission episodes to Beneventan and central Italian scriptoria in the 11th and 12th centuries. The study concludes that, while some texts arrived via intermediary regions such as Francia, a subset reflects direct Iberian-Italian exchanges. Moreover, the incorporation of Iberian exegesis into Italian compilatory traditions - particularly for Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Songs - underscores its enduring impact on medieval biblical scholarship in Italy. The study demonstrates how indirect textual transmission - through compilations and florilegia - can amplify the influence of exegetical works beyond their direct manuscript tradition. Additionally, it warns against overly simplistic geographic attributions based on isolated manuscript attestations, advocating instead for a systematic reconstruction of textual relationships through stemmatic analysis.