Los équidos en Isidoro de Sevilla ( Orig . XII 1.38-61): fuentes, método, contenido y estructura del pasaje

Abstract

Analysis and interpretation of the passage of the Etymologies and of the treated words, including the correction of a few readings, and the revised text. We note its literary sources, and explain the author’s methodology and linguistic conception regarding the etymology and meaning of words. According to the underlying structure and scientific frame in which the text is supported, Isidore distinguishes wild asses and wild horses (onagri and equiferi) from the domestic ones (asini and equi). He divides asses into smaller working donkeys (aselli) and big asses (asini Arcadici), and horses into a vulgar class for pulling carts (ueredus), including a variety of minor size (mannus), and another class of noble saddle-horses, of which he mentions eight races according to their geographical origin. Among the crossbreeds he mentions the mule (mulus), the hinny (burdo) and the cross of a wild ass and a jenny.