The whole concept and dynamic of the five-volume
Bibliotheca Basiliana Vniuersalis (1993-2004) can be seen in
the form of an interlocking structure. There is no proper start nor
finish in such a picture, but a wavelike motion leading from one
block/particle to another, a very much quantum entity like anything
else. Since nothing better illustrates the quantum reality than a
picture of a ladder with jumps from rung to rung, so is the
BBV. Hence one could say that a ladder-like project, such as
the BBV, has reached with this volume in a spacetime
continuum warp the final rung in accordance with a pre-planned
design. All a matter of convention and convenience rather than
intrinsic necessity.
After dealing directly with the manuscripts,
editions, translations, my project wraps up with the complete
records of the names of those who since the second half of the
fifteenth century have published their works and whose records have
survived the ravages of time. Cross-listed are here also all the
printed editions and translations quoted fully in BBV i-iv.
BBV v incorporates further more than just works specifically
or exclusively dealing with Basil, —his life, teaching,
Nachleben,—, as it covers also many of the studies dealing
with the historical period and geographical setting he lived in and
which have a bearing on a better and more accurate understanding of
his thought and significance. Unlike any other author, for instance
Origen, John Chrysostom or Augustine of Hippo, Basil by himself
encompasses the vast areas of spirituality, theology, philosophy,
linguistics, kanon law, liturgy, florilegia, catenae, painting,
gender issues, and in most instances not just implicitely but
explicitely. To be sure, if one were to leave out works dealing
with the environment, demography, literary genres, gender issues,
imperial administration, geography, numismatics, archaeology,
palaeography, diplomatics—much would be missing from the true
picture of his achievements or shortcomings, in other words, from a
correct understanding of his role in history conceived as the
carrying out of one's life in a world open to the widest spectrum
of lived possibilities.