Erasmi Opera Omnia

All of Erasmus’ works in one edition

The publication of Erasmus’ Opera Omnia is a long-term KNAW project (and the longest-running project within the Huygens Institute) and dates back to a Rotterdam initiative in 1960. Unlike the old editions of Basel (1538-1540) and Leiden (1703-1706), the new edition shows the changes Erasmus (1466–1536) made to his works over the years. Thus, the heritage of this important Dutch and European humanist is preserved.

Image: Portrait of Desiderius Erasmus (detail), copy after Quinten Massijs, after ca. 1535. Collection Rijksmuseum.

The Amsterdam edition: critical and complete

The new edition offers a purified (‘critical’) Latin text with commentary and introduction, not a translation. In reference to the location of the KNAW, the publication is referred to as the ‘Amsterdam edition’ (ASD). The volumes are published by Brill.

Nine ordines: overview of Erasmus’ oeuvre

Like the Basel and Leiden editions, the Amsterdam edition is divided into nine ordines (categories) in accordance with Erasmus’ wishes. Each ordo covers a specific literary or thematic category within Erasmus’ oeuvre.

Introduction, commentary and reliable texts

Each text is accompanied by an introduction and commentary in French, German or English, briefly discussing the origin, content and printing history of the text in question. Each work also includes an overview of the various editions that appeared during Erasmus’ lifetime and, where necessary, the original manuscripts. All these versions have been compared in order to determine the most reliable text.

International team and coordination

The ASD is produced by a team of approximately 35 specialists from the Netherlands and abroad. The project is carried out under the auspices of the Union Académique Internationale (UAI) and the Conseil international pour l’édition des oeuvres complètes d’Erasme. The Huygens Institute scholar has a scientific and coordinating role.

Available online

The ASD is published in print. Some of the volumes that have already been published are available online via the European Open Access site OAPEN. The ASD edition of the Adagia has been made available online by Hans van Poll.

Members of the Project Committee and the Erasmi Opera Omnia Foundation

J. Bloemendal (Huygens Institute Amsterdam, Ruhr University Bochum), secretary
K.A.E. Enenkel (University of Münster)
A.A. den Hollander (Vrije University Amsterdam), treasurer
A.L. van der Laan (Groningen)
M.E.H.N. Mout (Warmond), chair
M.L. van Poll- van Lisdonk (Voorhout)
E. Rabbie (The Hague)
J. Trapman (Oegstgeest)

Conseil International pour l’Édition des Oeuvres Complètes d’Erasme

R. Bodenmann (Zurich)
K.A.E. Enenkel (Münster)
R. Faber (Waterloo), Vice-Chair
A.A. den Hollander (Amsterdam), Treasurer
A.L. van der Laan (Groningen)
M.E.H.N. Mout (Warmond), Chair
M.L. van Poll-van de Lisdonk (Voorhout)
E. Rabbie (The Hague)
S. Seidel Menchi (Florence)
J. Trapman (Oegstgeest), Secretary-General
H. Vredeveld (Columbus, Ohio)

Editorial Board

J. Bloemendal (Amsterdam and Bochum)
H.J. van Dam (Ilpendam)
J. Domański (Warsaw)
A.L. van der Laan (Groningen), chair
M.L. van Poll-van de Lisdonk (Voorhout)
A.W. Steenbeek (The Hague), secretary
L.H. Westra (Lollum)