Myths and Men: How One Book Tells the Story of Humanity

Author: Katherine Prystalski

Field of Study: Arts and Humanities

Program Affiliation: Source Project Research Program

Faculty Mentors: Bridget Whearty, Jeremy Dibbell

Easel: 35

Timeslot: Midday

Abstract: On the surface, it took eight different people to create the Binghamton copy of the 1587 Natalis Comitis Mythologiae. This number includes the author, Natale Conti, printers, Claude de Marne and Jean Aubry through the Andre Wechelli printing firm, and contributors, Friedrich Sylburg, Johannes of Obsopæus, and Geoffrey Linocier. With further exploration, many more individuals who took part in the process of this Mythologiae arriving at Binghamton University reveal themselves. The signatures of owners from various time periods appear in the front pages of the book, and these readers leave their annotations throughout. This diverse interest in the Mythologiae speaks to the importance of mythology as a whole through those times, and by attempting to trace these histories, this study seeks to link their mythological interests to modern mythological interests. Ultimately, the Mythologiae serves as a gateway to connect the people of today with those of yesterday.