The Versatile Needle: Hosidius Geta’s Cento Medea and Its Tradition

This is a comprehensive study and reevaluation of the cento-tragedy Medea usually attributed to Hosidius Geta, which was transmitted in the Codex Salmasianus (now Codex Parisinus 10318), against the background of the ancient cento tradition, also providing a new English translation of the text. After developing a new definition of the ancient conception of the cento in general, Geta´s cento technique and his use of the Vergilian text as well as his relation to the models both Greek and Roman for his Medea are examined. It is shown that his play is innovative and sophisticated in both technique and content.