Index of Books Reviewed

The Sentences of Sextus

Walter T. Wilson, The Sentences of Sextus (Wisdom Literature from the Ancient World 1; Atlanta: SBL, 2012. $51.95. pp. xiv + 478. ISBN 978-1-58983-719-5).

In The Sentences of Sextus Wilson provides a substantial and informed commentary on Sextus’ work. The first forty pages provide a well-written and detailed prolegomenon, covering such topics as manuscripts, dating, versions, sources, morphology, orientation, and outlook. Wilson emphasises the importance of Sextus’ maxims for the understanding of early church history particularly its contribution to Christian wisdom, aesthetics, and ethics. This introduction provides a helpful framework through which the reader can approach the commentary.

The body of the work is segmented into units, divided by Wilson according to perceived thematic clusters, each of which consists of a Greek text (with selected notes), an English translation, and verse-by-verse commentary. Although the Greek text and English translation are useful, the work’s main contribution comes from the commentary proper. Here Wilson brings his considerable knowledge of ancient wisdom/philosophic texts to illuminate Sextus’ sayings. In particular the commentary helps elucidate the sentences’ theological/philosophical import, lexical parallels, and structure. It is light on discussions of syntax and grammar, but an excellent resource for situating Sextus’ text in its larger literary and intellectual milieu, particularly through the many primary-source references. Although Wilson intentionally chose to focus on ancient sources and not modern scholarship, the work would have benefited from specific discussions of where Wilson sought to challenge certain scholarly positions or make new and original contributions.

A most helpful feature of the book is its indices. Four in number these indices cover Greek words, texts cited (those with which Wilson engages, not the numerous ones to which he makes passing references), modern authors, and subjects. The inclusion of these is a helpful addition and makes the work much more useful.

Overall, the work is a very welcomed contribution to the scholarly study of ancient wisdom literature and will be an important resource for Sextus studies for years to come.

SEAN A. ADAMS

School of Divinity, University of Edinburgh