Physiologous

The Old English Physiologus Throughout literary history, few works have enjoyed more popular success than bestiaries. Bestiaries are encyclopedic compendiums with stories about real or mythical animals. Many of these tomes have existed throughout the centuries dating back to the pre-Christian era, but none has been more influential than Physiologus. Manuscripts of Physiologus have been found in Latin, Ethiopian, Syrian, Old High German, Flemish, Dutch, Provencal, Old French, Middle English, Italian, Waldensian, Rumanian, Icelandic, Medieval …

…known and thought important by almost every Western culture. Its simple charm is still appealing today, and it provides an interesting insight into early Anglo-Saxon and European culture. Hopefully Physiologus will continue to charm readers for another two millennia. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ **Bibliography** Cook, Albert Stanburrough, ed. The Old English Elene, Phoenix, and Physiologus. New Haven: Yale UP, 1919. Curley, Michael J. Physiologus. Austin and London: Texas UP, 1979. Wirtjes, Hanneke, ed. The Middle English Physiologus. Oxford: Oxford UP, 1991.