Offering the first scholarly edition and English translation of Praenotamenta, a treatise on ancient drama by Flemish scholar, editor and publisher Jodocus Badius Ascensius (1462-1535), along with his introductory notes to Terence's Andria, this book challenges existing scholarship and fosters an interdisciplinary approach to his work. Drawing on works on classical and literary criticism, intellectual history and drama, this edition will enable scholars to fully appreciate the role of Praenotamenta in the development of early modern dramatic criticism. Andrew J. Turner and Giulia Torello-Hill present a detailed analysis of the sources, composition, circulation and legacy of the treatise.

First published in 1502 in Badius's third edition of Terence's plays, Praenotamenta was reprinted 25 times in the following 20 years, circulating widely across Europe. The treatise offered a diverse readership of educators, students, scholars and theatre practitioners a concise and accessible compendium of the main generic features of classical drama, its development and mise-en-scene – and its influence can be seen in treatises on poetics across Europe in France, Italy, Spain and England. Supported by a full introduction and commentary, the text and English translation of this important work are made accessible to a wide modern audience for the first time and will be essential reading for scholars in Classics, Neo-Latin and theatre studies.

Giulia Torello-Hill is Senior Lecturer in Italian at University of New England, Australia.

Andrew J. Turner is Lecturer in Classics at University of Melbourne, Australia.