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Study Guide: Hyginus' Fabulae: Authorship, Content, and Transmission

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Hyginus' Fabulae: Authorship, Content, and Transmission Study Guide

Authorship, Dating, and Attribution

Modern scholarship widely accepts that Gaius Julius Hyginus, the freedman of Augustus, was the true author of the *Fabulae*.

Answer: False

Explanation: Modern scholarship largely rejects the traditional attribution of the *Fabulae* to Gaius Julius Hyginus, the freedman of Augustus, suggesting a later author from the 2nd century AD.

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R. Scott Smith suggests the author of the *Fabulae* likely lived in the latter half of the 2nd century AD.

Answer: True

Explanation: R. Scott Smith proposes that the author of the *Fabulae* likely lived during the latter half of the 2nd century AD, distinguishing him from the earlier Gaius Julius Hyginus.

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One of Hyginus' influences for the *Fabulae* included the scholia on Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica*.

Answer: True

Explanation: The scholia on Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica* are explicitly mentioned as one of the sources that influenced the author of the *Fabulae*.

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The scholia on Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica*, a source for Hyginus, were dated to approximately the time of Augustus.

Answer: False

Explanation: The scholia on Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica*, identified as a source for Hyginus, were dated by R. Merkel to approximately the time of Tiberius, not Augustus.

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The earliest published edition of the *Fabulae* by Jacob Micyllus in 1535 attributed the work to 'Gaius Julius Hyginus, freedman of Augustus'.

Answer: True

Explanation: Jacob Micyllus's 1535 edition, the earliest published version of the *Fabulae*, indeed attributed the work to 'Gaius Julius Hyginus, freedman of Augustus'.

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To whom is the *Fabulae* traditionally attributed, and what is the current scholarly consensus regarding this attribution?

Answer: Attributed to Gaius Julius Hyginus, freedman of Augustus, but modern scholarship largely rejects this.

Explanation: The *Fabulae* is traditionally attributed to 'Gaius Julius Hyginus, freedman of Augustus,' but contemporary scholarship largely disputes this, suggesting a later author.

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According to R. Scott Smith, what is the generally accepted period for the author of the *Fabulae*?

Answer: In the latter half of the 2nd century AD.

Explanation: R. Scott Smith's scholarship indicates that the author of the *Fabulae* most likely lived during the latter half of the 2nd century AD.

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Which specific scholarly source is identified as an influence for Hyginus in the *Fabulae*?

Answer: The scholia on Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica*.

Explanation: The scholia on Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica* are explicitly cited as one of the sources that influenced the author of the *Fabulae*.

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The scholia on Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica*, identified as a source for Hyginus, were dated to approximately the reign of which Roman emperor?

Answer: Tiberius.

Explanation: R. Merkel, an editor of Apollonius, dated the scholia on Apollonius of Rhodes' *Argonautica*, a source for Hyginus, to approximately the time of the Roman emperor Tiberius.

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Content, Structure, and Mythological Focus

The *Fabulae* is a Latin handbook primarily composed of philosophical treatises and historical accounts.

Answer: False

Explanation: The *Fabulae* is a Latin handbook of mythology, consisting of brief myths and celestial genealogies, not philosophical treatises or historical accounts.

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The *Fabulae* is the only comprehensive handbook of mythology that has survived from antiquity.

Answer: False

Explanation: The *Fabulae* is one of two recognized comprehensive handbooks of mythology from antiquity, the other being Apollodorus' *Bibliotheca*.

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The *Fabulae* is organized primarily as a continuous narrative of mythological events.

Answer: False

Explanation: The *Fabulae* is structured into various narratives and lists, rather than presenting a continuous, unbroken chronological account of mythological events.

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The theogony in the *Fabulae* uniquely begins with the figure of Mist (Caligo), preceding Chaos.

Answer: True

Explanation: The *Fabulae*'s theogony is distinctive for introducing Mist (Caligo) as a primordial figure, placing her even before Chaos, which is an unusual departure from traditional Greek accounts.

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The theogony section of the *Fabulae* is widely believed to have been an integral part of its original core composition.

Answer: False

Explanation: It is suggested that the untitled theogony section may have been appended to the *Fabulae* at a later date, implying it was not part of the original core composition.

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The *Fabulae* primarily focuses on Roman mythology, with limited inclusion of Greek myths.

Answer: False

Explanation: Despite being written in Latin, the *Fabulae* is almost entirely focused on Greek mythology, with very little Roman mythical content.

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The *Fabulae* contains no translated passages, as it was an entirely original Latin composition.

Answer: False

Explanation: The *Fabulae* does contain passages translated from earlier Greek texts, indicating that it was not an entirely original Latin composition.

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A theogony is an account of the origin and genealogy of human heroes.

Answer: False

Explanation: A theogony is specifically an account of the origin and genealogy of the *gods*, not human heroes.

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The *Fabulae* contains mythical narratives in sections 1-220 and lists in sections 221-277.

Answer: True

Explanation: The *Fabulae* is structured with mythical narratives primarily in sections 1-220 and various lists in sections 221-277.

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The *Fabulae* includes the story of Agnodice as an example of its brief, plainly told myths.

Answer: True

Explanation: The story of Agnodice is cited as an example of the concise and plainly narrated myths found within the *Fabulae*.

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What is the primary subject matter and structural format of the Latin work known as the *Fabulae*?

Answer: A Latin handbook of mythology consisting of brief myths and celestial genealogies.

Explanation: The *Fabulae* is characterized as a Latin handbook of mythology, presenting concise myths and celestial genealogies, rather than epic poetry, historical chronicles, or philosophical dialogues.

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In terms of mythological comprehensiveness, how does the *Fabulae* relate to Apollodorus' *Bibliotheca*?

Answer: Both are recognized as among the most comprehensive handbooks of mythology from antiquity.

Explanation: The *Fabulae* and Apollodorus' *Bibliotheca* are both considered among the most comprehensive mythological handbooks to have survived from the ancient world.

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Describe the internal organizational structure of the *Fabulae*.

Answer: Various narratives and lists, beginning with a theogony.

Explanation: The *Fabulae* is structured with an initial theogony, followed by distinct sections for mythical narratives and various lists, rather than a continuous chronological account.

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What distinctive feature characterizes the theogony within the *Fabulae*?

Answer: It starts with a figure named Mist (Caligo), placed before Chaos.

Explanation: The theogony in the *Fabulae* is unique for introducing Mist (Caligo) as a primordial entity, positioned before Chaos, a deviation from typical Greek mythological accounts.

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What hypothesis exists regarding the integration of the theogony section into the *Fabulae*'s original composition?

Answer: It may have been attached to the *Fabulae* at a later date.

Explanation: Scholarly opinion suggests that the untitled theogony section might have been appended to the *Fabulae* at a subsequent period, rather than being part of its initial core composition.

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Notwithstanding its Latin composition, what is the predominant mythological focus of the *Fabulae*?

Answer: Greek mythology.

Explanation: Despite its Latin composition, the *Fabulae* is almost exclusively dedicated to Greek mythology, with minimal inclusion of Roman mythical content.

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Define 'theogony' and explain its relevance within the *Fabulae*.

Answer: An account of the origin and genealogy of the gods.

Explanation: A theogony, as featured in the *Fabulae*, is an account specifically detailing the origin and genealogical lineage of the gods.

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How are the mythical narratives and lists typically delineated within the *Fabulae*?

Answer: Sections 1-220 for narratives, 221-277 for lists.

Explanation: The *Fabulae* is generally structured with mythical narratives occupying sections 1-220, followed by various lists in sections 221-277.

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Which of the following myths is explicitly mentioned as an example of the narratives found in the *Fabulae*?

Answer: The tale of Agnodice.

Explanation: The story of Agnodice is specifically cited as an example of the brief and plainly told myths contained within the *Fabulae*.

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Historical and Pedagogical Significance

Despite its perceived flaws, the *Fabulae* is considered valuable because it preserves information from lost works of Greek tragedians.

Answer: True

Explanation: H. J. Rose, despite his critical view of the author, acknowledged the *Fabulae*'s value in preserving details from lost works of Greek tragedians.

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The *Fabulae* represents the most advanced level of Greek myth knowledge expected of educated Romans during the age of the Antonines.

Answer: False

Explanation: The *Fabulae* represents the *simplest* level of Greek myth knowledge expected of educated Romans during the Antonine age, not the most advanced.

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The *Fabulae* is a valuable source today because many more nuanced versions of the myths it contains have since been lost.

Answer: True

Explanation: The *Fabulae* serves as a valuable repository of ancient mythological data because many more detailed or nuanced versions of the myths it records have unfortunately been lost over time.

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What pedagogical value did H. J. Rose identify in the *Fabulae*, notwithstanding his critical assessment of its author?

Answer: It preserved information from lost works of Greek tragedians.

Explanation: Despite his low opinion of the author, H. J. Rose recognized the *Fabulae*'s significant value in preserving information derived from lost works of Greek tragedians.

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What level of Greek mythological knowledge did Hyginus' *Fabulae* represent for educated Romans during the Antonine age?

Answer: The simplest level expected to be known.

Explanation: The *Fabulae* is understood to represent the most basic level of Greek mythological knowledge that an educated Roman during the Antonine period was expected to possess.

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What is the contemporary scholarly value of the *Fabulae* as a historical source?

Answer: Many more nuanced versions of the myths it contains have since been lost.

Explanation: The *Fabulae* is highly valued today because it preserves mythological information, many more detailed versions of which have been lost to history, making it a unique repository.

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Textual History and Modern Scholarship

Before its first printed edition, the text of the *Fabulae* was well-preserved in multiple manuscripts.

Answer: False

Explanation: Before its first printed edition, the text of the *Fabulae* was nearly lost, surviving in only a single manuscript from Freising, along with a separate 5th-century fragment.

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Jacob Micyllus produced the first printed edition of the *Fabulae* in 1535.

Answer: True

Explanation: Jacob Micyllus is credited with producing the first printed edition of the *Fabulae* in the year 1535.

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The first printed edition of the *Fabulae* by Jacob Micyllus was praised for its meticulous and critical transcription.

Answer: False

Explanation: Jacob Micyllus's first printed edition of the *Fabulae* was, in fact, characterized as negligently and uncritically transcribed, not meticulously or critically.

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The original manuscript of the *Fabulae* was carefully preserved after the first printing, remaining intact.

Answer: False

Explanation: The original manuscript of the *Fabulae* was dismembered during the printing process, with only small fragments surviving, often repurposed as bookbinding stiffening.

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The two small fragments of the original *Fabulae* manuscript discovered in Regensburg and Munich are now conserved in Rome.

Answer: False

Explanation: The two small fragments of the original *Fabulae* manuscript, discovered in Regensburg and Munich, are both currently conserved in Munich, not Rome.

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A 5th-century fragmentary text of the *Fabulae* is preserved in the Vatican Library.

Answer: True

Explanation: In addition to the Freising manuscript fragments, a separate fragmentary text of the *Fabulae* from the 5th century is indeed preserved in the Vatican Library.

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Mary A. Grant translated *The Myths of Hyginus* for the University of Oxford Press in 1960.

Answer: False

Explanation: Mary A. Grant translated *The Myths of Hyginus* for the University of Kansas Press in 1960, not the University of Oxford Press.

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Peter K. Marshall edited *Hyginus <Mythographus>: Fabulae* for the Bibliotheca Teubneriana in 2002.

Answer: True

Explanation: Peter K. Marshall is correctly identified as the editor of *Hyginus <Mythographus>: Fabulae* for the Bibliotheca Teubneriana, published in 2002.

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Scott R. Smith and Stephen M. Trzaskoma co-authored a publication combining *Apollodorus' Library* and Hyginus' *Fabulae*.

Answer: True

Explanation: Scott R. Smith and Stephen M. Trzaskoma indeed co-authored the publication *Apollodorus' Library and Hyginus' Fabulae: Two Handbooks of Greek Mythology*.

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Herbert Jennings Rose edited the standard Latin text of *Hygini Fabulae*, with its second edition published in 1963.

Answer: True

Explanation: Herbert Jennings Rose is recognized for editing the standard Latin text of *Hygini Fabulae*, with its second edition released in 1963.

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The single surviving manuscript of the *Fabulae* from Freising was written in a Gothic script.

Answer: False

Explanation: The single surviving manuscript of the *Fabulae* from Freising was written in a Beneventan script, a distinctive medieval script from Southern Italy, not a Gothic script.

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The two fragments of the original *Fabulae* manuscript were discovered in the 15th century.

Answer: False

Explanation: The two small fragments of the original *Fabulae* manuscript were discovered much later, in 1864 (Regensburg) and 1942 (Munich), not in the 15th century.

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Prior to its initial printed edition, what was the textual transmission status of the *Fabulae*?

Answer: It was nearly lost, with only a single surviving manuscript.

Explanation: Before its first printed edition, the *Fabulae* text was in a precarious state, surviving primarily through a single manuscript from Freising, supplemented by a 5th-century fragment in the Vatican Library.

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Who was responsible for the *Fabulae*'s editio princeps, and when was it published?

Answer: Jacob Micyllus in 1535.

Explanation: Jacob Micyllus produced the first printed edition of the *Fabulae* in 1535, an important milestone in its textual transmission.

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How is Jacob Micyllus's first printed edition of the *Fabulae* generally characterized regarding its textual fidelity?

Answer: As negligently and uncritically transcribed.

Explanation: Jacob Micyllus's editio princeps of the *Fabulae* is widely regarded as having been negligently and uncritically transcribed, lacking the rigorous scholarship expected of modern editions.

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What fate befell the original manuscript of the *Fabulae* during the early modern printing era?

Answer: It was pulled apart, with only fragments surviving.

Explanation: During the 15th and 16th centuries, the original manuscript of the *Fabulae* was dismembered in the printing process, a common practice, resulting in only fragments surviving.

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Where are the extant fragments of the original *Fabulae* manuscript, discovered in Regensburg and Munich, currently housed?

Answer: Munich.

Explanation: The two small fragments of the original *Fabulae* manuscript, found in Regensburg and Munich, are both presently conserved in Munich.

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Beyond the Freising manuscript fragments, where is an additional fragmentary text of the *Fabulae* from the 5th century preserved?

Answer: The Vatican Library.

Explanation: A 5th-century fragmentary text of the *Fabulae*, distinct from the Freising manuscript fragments, is preserved in the Vatican Library.

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Who undertook the translation of *The Myths of Hyginus* for the University of Kansas Press in 1960?

Answer: Mary A. Grant.

Explanation: Mary A. Grant is credited with translating *The Myths of Hyginus*, published by the University of Kansas Press in 1960.

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Which scholar edited *Hyginus <Mythographus>: Fabulae* for the Bibliotheca Teubneriana series in 2002?

Answer: Peter K. Marshall.

Explanation: Peter K. Marshall edited the *Hyginus <Mythographus>: Fabulae* for the esteemed Bibliotheca Teubneriana series, published in 2002.

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Which collaborative publication by Scott R. Smith and Stephen M. Trzaskoma integrates *Apollodorus' Library* with Hyginus' *Fabulae*?

Answer: *Apollodorus' Library and Hyginus' Fabulae: Two Handbooks of Greek Mythology*.

Explanation: Scott R. Smith and Stephen M. Trzaskoma co-authored *Apollodorus' Library and Hyginus' Fabulae: Two Handbooks of Greek Mythology*, a significant joint publication.

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Who edited the authoritative Latin text of *Hygini Fabulae*, and what was the publication year of its second edition?

Answer: Herbert Jennings Rose, second edition in 1963.

Explanation: Herbert Jennings Rose edited the standard Latin text of *Hygini Fabulae*, with its second edition being published in 1963.

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What specific script characterized the sole surviving manuscript of the *Fabulae* from Freising?

Answer: Beneventan script.

Explanation: The single surviving manuscript of the *Fabulae* from Freising Abbey is notable for being written in Beneventan script, a distinctive medieval script.

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What was the primary characteristic of the textual transcription in Jacob Micyllus's first printed edition of the *Fabulae*?

Answer: It was negligently and uncritically transcribed.

Explanation: Jacob Micyllus's first printed edition of the *Fabulae* is primarily characterized by its negligent and uncritical transcription, reflecting a lack of scholarly rigor.

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In what year was the initial edition of Herbert Jennings Rose's authoritative Latin text of *Hygini Fabulae* published?

Answer: 1934.

Explanation: Herbert Jennings Rose's standard Latin text of *Hygini Fabulae* was originally published in Leiden in 1934, with a second edition following in 1963.

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For what practical purpose were the two small fragments of the original *Fabulae* manuscript discovered to have been repurposed?

Answer: As stiffening in book bindings.

Explanation: The two small fragments of the original *Fabulae* manuscript were discovered having been repurposed as stiffening material within book bindings, a common fate for dismembered manuscripts.

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Critical Assessment and Scholarly Perspectives

H. J. Rose praised the author of the *Fabulae* as a highly learned and insightful scholar.

Answer: False

Explanation: H. J. Rose critically characterized the author of the *Fabulae* as 'an ignorant youth, semi-learned, stupid,' rather than praising him as a learned scholar.

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Arthur L. Keith expressed gratitude that the *Fabulae* survived, considering it a masterpiece superior to many lost ancient texts.

Answer: False

Explanation: Arthur L. Keith expressed wonder at the 'caprices of Fortune' that allowed the *Fabulae*, which he called a 'school-boy's exercise,' to survive while more invaluable works perished.

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H. J. Rose suggested *Mythographiae* as a more correct alternative title for the *Fabulae*.

Answer: False

Explanation: H. J. Rose suggested *Genealogiae* as a more appropriate alternative title for the *Fabulae*, not *Mythographiae*, to emphasize its focus on genealogical accounts.

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The Latin phrase 'adulescentem imperitum, semidoctum, stultum' translates to 'a brilliant and well-educated young scholar'.

Answer: False

Explanation: The Latin phrase 'adulescentem imperitum, semidoctum, stultum' translates to 'an ignorant youth, semi-learned, stupid,' a critical assessment by H. J. Rose.

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How did H. J. Rose critically evaluate the author of the *Fabulae*?

Answer: As 'an ignorant youth, semi-learned, stupid'.

Explanation: H. J. Rose famously characterized the author of the *Fabulae* with the Latin phrase 'adulescentem imperitum, semidoctum, stultum,' translating to 'an ignorant youth, semi-learned, stupid'.

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What alternative title for the *Fabulae*, emphasizing its genealogical content, was proposed by H. J. Rose?

Answer: *Genealogiae*.

Explanation: H. J. Rose proposed *Genealogiae* as a more fitting title for the *Fabulae*, reflecting its substantial focus on the genealogies of mythological figures.

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Provide the translation and context for H. J. Rose's Latin phrase 'adulescentem imperitum, semidoctum, stultum'.

Answer: An ignorant youth, semi-learned, stupid.

Explanation: H. J. Rose used the Latin phrase 'adulescentem imperitum, semidoctum, stultum' to critically describe the author of the *Fabulae* as 'an ignorant youth, semi-learned, stupid'.

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