2.1.1 Editorial Approach

The NavGraph is a “critical” or “scholarly” edition of the graphic aspect, the genealogical diagram, that provides the backbone of Peter of Poitiers’ work “Compendium historiae in genealogia Christi” (Graph Version 1). In this perspective, we present here a “visual edition” as opposed to the “critical text” that is the result of the “textual edition”. The NavGraph is conceived as a mid- to high-level abstraction of the genealogical graph found in several representative manuscripts, along with various corresponding textual labels and visual elements (additional diagrams). While the graph as a structure is represented in full, the other elements are represented as stylized icons, not always with full transcriptions of the textual content.

The editorial aim is to foreground the structure and interconnections of the work rather than its paleographic or codicological details. This visual edition serves three purposes:

1. To present a full critical representation of the work (in the perspective described)
2. To allow for closer interactive inspection by scrolling, zooming and hovering (thus evoking further information given in “tooltips”)
3. To give access to more detailed information on single elements or groups, which can be consulted on further layers of the visual edition (see explanations below)

The NavGraph’s layout follows the manuscripts while intentionally abstracting from their visual particularities. Structural clarity is prioritized over close visual reproduction. Within the extant manuscripts for the work’s Graph Version 1, the layout generally follows the representative witnesses K (Klosterneuburg, Augustiner-Chorherrenstift, Cod. 696; 1195–1204; FR1), C (Cambridge, Trinity College, B.15.5; 1194; GB6), C2 (Cambridge, Corpus Christi College, MS 29; 13th c.; FR1) and Kö (Köln, Historisches Archiv der Stadt Köln, W 247; late 12th c.; BE1 ) for normalized horizontal alignment and node connectivity. In this way, the edition is “critical” in its aim of presenting an abstracted, idealized “Version 1” while also following a “best-text principle”.

2.1.2 Visual Language

The graph employs a consistent visual language. In developing the NavGraph, we draw inspiration from the manuscripts’ generally systematic use of layout, colour, and form. At the same time, we apply these principles with an even higher degree of internal consistency, striving to implement a single set of rules with as few exceptions as possible.

Unlike the codices, the NavGraph does not need to address the practical constraint of page boundaries. It can therefore present the genealogical structure as a continuous drawing—an approach more akin to the format of scrolls, where the sequence of elements unfolds without interruption.

One challenge shared by manuscripts, scrolls, and our edition is the variable density, differentiation, and complexity along the course of the graph. Some sections are sparsely populated, while others are comparatively dense. Our layout must accommodate these fluctuations in a way that maintains clarity, readability, and navigational ease.

To support visual coherence, we operate within a fixed-width design space in which all graph elements are arranged to achieve an even visual distribution. At the same time, we follow a core layout rule: horizontal and vertical distances between nodes and connectors remain as uniform as possible, except in cases where the structure of the graph requires local adjustments.

Additional foundational layout decisions developed during the project—such as the handling of long genealogical branches, balance between vertical and horizontal expansion, and strategies for avoiding visual congestion—also contribute to the overall stability and legibility of the NavGraph.

2.1.3 Nodes (medallions) and Texts

Figures/persons are represented with simple circular nodes. These nodes are rendered in red, with gender-distinguished labels: black for male figures and red for female ones. Nodes representing foundational or dynastic figures—such as Adam, Noah, David, and key monarchs—are displayed as double nested nodes, with an inner node equal in size to a standard single node. This rendering does not reflect how the nodes appear in the source manuscripts; it is an editorial choice made to differentiate the two groups of figures, inspired by the way later copies of the Compendium distinguish these figures. Other decorative visual elements and ornamental features of the medallions are omitted in the NavGraph.

In terms of form and colour language, we follow—on an abstracted level—what can be observed in most manuscripts representing Graph Version 1, even though individual manuscripts deviate from this model, at times systematically and at times unsystematically. Spelling of the labels follows the normalised critical text. Depending on the length of the labels, they are rendered in two possible font sizes and in some cases labels are displayed in a shortened version (indicated by ellipsis). The full label (along with a normalized English label) is always visible in the tooltip revealed by hovering over a node.

Textual references are visualized as abstracted text icons. These icons represent short or long explanatory texts—most often referring to individual persons, at times to several persons, or to other types of content such as a prologue. They appear in two sizes: smaller icons for brief, person-specific notes, and larger, variably sized icons for extended narratives or thematic explanations. An early idea to size text icons proportionally to the actual length and position of the underlying text was discarded. This decision prioritized simplicity, visual coherence, and abstraction. These factors vary profoundly across manuscripts, and a close adherence to the visual impression would have detracted from the NavGraph's value as an abstracted tool. The specific visual features are presented in the “second layer” for each group by displaying the respective facsimiles. Labels for these icons are based on incipits from the critical Latin texts (see 3. Critical Text). If necessary for layout reasons, the incipits are displayed in a shortened version in the icons but always appear in full in the tooltip. The icons are generally positioned as close as possible to their referents without disrupting the overall graph structure, and when feasible, they are aligned along the graph’s outer edges to emphasize the roll-like layout.

Hovering over a node or text icon visually highlights it and any related icons, e.g. hovering over the text about the sons of Noah will highlight the three medallions of Noah’s sons. Moreover, hovering reveals a tooltip which always displays the full incipit or label and a normalized English label, in both cases following the spelling of the critical text and translation.

Clicking on any node or text icon links the user to the Single Element (Third Layer) page of the respective element, which includes the critical text, snippets from manuscript facsimiles, and semi-diplomatic transcriptions.

2.1.4 Labels and Connecting Lines

The manuscripts often included additional text labels in proximity to certain segments of the genealogy. The representation of those labels within the NavGraph follows a selective approach. Structural labels—such as those denoting world ages, king groups, prophets, and other offices—are preserved and rendered in the original Latin form. Labels for familiar or functional relationships (e.g., “uxor,” “concubina,” “fratres”) are generally omitted from the NavGraph as those relationships are represented by the connecting lines. All connecting lines are red with their orientation reflecting different relational types. Vertical lines (i.e., lines connected to the top and bottom quadrants of nodes) represent parent-child relationships, while horizontal lines connect spouses or concubines. The central Linea Christi connecting Adam and Eve to Christ appears as a thicker red line, serving as a visual spine for the graph. Additional lineages, such as priests, judges, kings or emperors may be indicated with additional lines framing the respective lineage.

2.1.5 Diagrams and Visual Abstraction

The four embedded Diagrams that are “typically” found in most manuscripts are integrated into the NavGraph as simplified iconized placeholders rather than detailed reproductions. Based on manuscript examples—primarily K (Klosterneuburg, Augustiner-Chorherrenstift, Cod. 696; 13th c.; FR1 ) and C (Cambridge, Trinity College, B.15.5; 1194; GB6 ) for the Encampments, Tribes, and Jerusalem, and Ma (Manchester, John Rylands Library, MS 72; 13th c.; IT1 ) for the Arks—the diagrams retain core structural features but strip away unnecessary visual detail.

The diagrams are rendered in black, with only two line weights used across all representations. Scale is maintained relative to the graph: a node in a diagram corresponds visually to a node in the NavGraph proper.

2.1.6 Groups

Within the NavGraph, semantic groups —​in some cases representing family relations or clusters such as prophets, apostles, or dynasties —​are highlighted when the user hovers over them. Groups are drawn in a way to visually enclose the corresponding nodes and text icons. These are not present in the manuscripts but are purely editorial additions. Clicking the highlighted group links to the respective Group View (Second Layer) of the visual edition where the structural variance and development of these parts of the work are discussed and presented more systematically and in more detail.

2.2.1 Structure of the Group View Page

Each Page consists of the following modules. If modules are not relevant for a given group (e.g. if the Group does not contain text elements) they are omitted.

• 1. Introductory Text Each Group View begins with a short contextual introduction that outlines the role and significance of the group within the overall work. This section situates the group within the genealogical or thematic framework and provides references to related commentary sections.
• 2. NavGraph Snippet A focused excerpt of the Navigational Graph is provided as an SVG illustration. This visualization isolates the relevant segment of the larger graph, allowing users to see the group’s internal composition. The snippet follows the same methodology and rules as the main Navigational Graph
• 3. Texts (critical text and translation) Following the visual representation, the page presents the corresponding passages from the critical text edition in a synoptic view with the English translation. The passages of the critical text are here reproduced without the critical apparatus but include links to the full textual edition for detailed examination and variant readings.
• 4. Graph Versions For each group, the graphical realizations found in the digitized manuscripts are collected and displayed. These snippets (realized with the annotation tool CADMUS) are organized according to their respective Graph Version classification (see Graph Versions). The section allows direct visual comparison of how the same group is represented across manuscript witnesses. Links to the respective manuscript’s entry in the database are also included.
• 5. Group Items Finally, a comprehensive list enumerates all items—nodes and texts—belonging to the group. Each entry links to its individual item page (third layer) for further detail. This list also includes additional nodes and texts that are not part of the main canonical NavGraph but appear in additional manuscripts, ensuring a complete record of all elements attributed to the group in all surveyed documents.

3.1.1 Editorial Approach

Work on the textual components of the Compendium began with a full semi-diplomatic transcription of one of the earliest and most complete witnesses of the so-called Short Text Version, graphically represented in Graph Version 1: MS C2. This transcription has been fully collated with four other witnesses of the same version: MSS K, W, C, and Kö. With regard to the names appearing in the nodes, partial recourse was made to additional manuscripts given the high number of orthographic variants. These include MSS C3, P4, and the rolls Cm, Cl, and R, which preserve the earliest interpolations.

The results of this collation form the basis for the critical text of Peter of Poitiers’ work. The following textual components are included in the edition: all text blocks; the names within the nodes; the text contained within the diagrams; and the principal labels (short, rubricated texts), that is those marking the conclusion of the five ages. The secondary labels, which indicate lines of succession and kinship relations, or occasionally clarify an event, vary in number and in their position on the page and often reflect the individual preferences of the copyists. For these reasons, only their placement and a normalized transcription based on MS C2 are provided, as presented in the Visual Edition.

The cross-sections of Noah’s Ark, placed next to Noah in some manuscripts, are absent from the five collated witnesses (in MSS C2 and Kö they appear in the margins of the co-transmitted Historia scholastica; MS Kö—and group BE1—also includes a diagram representing the division of the kingdoms with the text on the events following the Flood). A large part of the tradition, especially later witnesses and those transmitted in roll form, also preserves a variety of iconographic elements absent from the five manuscripts selected.

The Compendium is intended for use by masters and scholars, and it is not surprising that its tradition reflects the didactic nature of the work. It can be characterized as extensive (comprising more than 300 witnesses), dynamic (given the many versions of the work that can be identified on the basis of recurring elements), and highly interpolated and reworked (there are countless modifications and further additions, both textual and structural). On the one hand, an attempt has been made to group all witnesses according to structural and other visual criteria (see Versions & Groups), highlighting the dynamism of a work that circulated simultaneously in multiple forms. On the other hand, a selective and functional approach has been adopted in order to offer a reliable critical text that may serve as a canonical reference text and as an entry point to the wider tradition. The construction of a stemma in the traditional sense has therefore proved impractical. The analysis has thus focused on the identification of common features and on the comparative description of the principal textual configurations transmitted by individual, or groups of, witnesses. Alongside a complete collation, certain loci have also been selected—which are not limited to errors, but also include what appear to be significant alternative variants—to be understood, from a research perspective, as privileged points of observation for the study of the tradition as a whole.

The selection of manuscripts and the establishment of the critical text are therefore based on the following editorial principles.

3.1.2 Selection of Manuscript Witnesses

Given that the version presented as critical text is the short one, the choice fell on the aforementioned witnesses (C2, K, W, C, Kö) for the following reasons:

1. format of the support: all witnesses are codices, rather than rolls;
2. date of creation: all witnesses are dated before 1225;
3. structural and textual conformity: all witnesses do not display major discrepancies in the selection and organization of the contents;
4. completeness: all witnesses transmit all constituent components of the short version;
5. places of origin: the witnesses represent manuscript groups from different regions: C2 and K belong to group FR1 and they were made in northern France; W belongs to group AT1 and comes from Mondsee (Austria); C belongs to group GB6 and comes from Canterbury (England); Kö to group BE1, from Affligem (Belgium);
6. accessibility: facsimiles of all witnesses are openly accessible online and can be integrated in the digital edition.

3.1.3 Critical Apparatus and Types of Variants

The critical apparatus is a “negative” critical apparatus, that means, only the manuscript witnesses of the variant readings are indicated, not the manuscript witnesses attesting the lemma of the established critical text (they can be inferred by deduction). The apparatus records both substantial variants (e.g. infuso/suffuso; sine/syrie) and orthographical variants (cyro/ciro; spatio/spacio; rampno/ramno). With regard to names, not only variants that alter the meaning are considered substantial (artaxerses longimanus/artaxerses longunanus/artaxerses longum annus), but also those that modify the name’s assumed pronunciation (salomon/salemon; sangar/sengar). The apparatus also records inversions (eius pater/pater eius), additions (factus/factus est), omissions (adoptatuit dauid in filium/adoptauit in filium), gaps or missing characters (e.g., due to damaged parchment: argenti/a[.]genti), and immediate or later corrections by the copist or a later hand (contradixerat/contraduxerat corrected to contradixerat). Transpositions, additions, and omissions of entire textual units are likewise recorded and, if necessary, explained in a note. The abbreviations used in the critical apparatus are as follows:

• [.] = gap of a number of characters corresponding to the number of dots
• add. = addidit/addiderunt (has added/have added)
• dist. = distinxit (has split into two different nodes)
• dubit. = dubitanter (doubtfully)
• dx. = dextero (right)
• e ... corr. = e … correxit (corrected from …)
• inf. = inferiore (lower)
• interl. = (in) interlinea (in the interlinear space)
• iter. = iteravit (has repeated)
• man. rec. = manus recentior (later hand)
• marg. = (in) margine (in the margin)
• om. = omisit/omiserunt (has omitted/have omitted)
• sn. = sinistro (left)
• sup. = superiore (upper)
• transt. = transtulit (has moved to another part of the page)

3.1.4 Selection of Readings

In the establishment of the critical text we follow, as a general rule, the readings of MS C2 (dated 1200–1224). The choice of this witness is not intended to reflect a genealogical principle, but rather responds to criteria of structural stability, completeness, and internal coherence. Criteria for spelling normalization are described below (see Orthography).

In cases of obvious errors, gaps (lacunae) and alternative readings of equal plausibility, a comparative evaluation of the prevailing readings is undertaken. This involves verifying for grammatical and syntactic correctness, logical sense, and—by way of further confirmation—potential correspondence with the reading of a source text.

It should nevertheless be kept in mind that, overall, on the basis of the analysis of some of the most significant substantial variants attested in the selected loci (see Table 1, in particular nos. 5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 15, 18, 19, 21, 23) and the varia lectio (see critical apparatus), the manuscript tradition can be broadly divided into two groups.

On the one hand, there are manuscripts C and Kö, which share at least two substantial variants and a series of conservative features. C, on the other hand, characterized by extensive lacunae, also tends to incorporate labels into the body of the text.

The other group consists of the manuscripts C2, K, and W and is characterized by non-negligible shared substantial variants. Within this group, W stands out for its numerous inversions and singular readings that, although they sometimes seem to coincide with the text of a source, are likely to be the result of autonomous corrections. K occupies an intermediate position, sometimes oscillating between the two poles. The fact that K shares variants both with C2 and, more sporadically, with the C–Kö line, suggests possible contamination or a tradition that is not rigidly vertical. C2, by contrast, appears more coherent within the same group (also on the orthographical level), although it is compromised by minor slips and omissions, concentrated especially in the prologue and in the first part of the work.

Given these premises, a more extensive examination of the material has the potential to modify the framework outlined here. The following table provides the list of the loci referred to above, which will be of interest for an investigation also across the tradition as a whole:

Table 1. List of loci selecti

N.	Text block	Critical text	MS C2	MS K	MS W	MS C	MS Kö
1.	Prologue	sue	sua	sue	sue	sue	sue
2.	Prologue	negotium	negatium	negotium	negotium	negotium	negotium
3.	On Adam	imposito	imposita	imposito	inposito	imposito	imposito
4.	On Cain	est	etiam	est	est	est add. interl.	est
5.	On Jabal	qualitatem	qualitatum	qualitatem	qualitatum	qualitatem	qualitatem
6.	On Noah	uenturi	uenturi	uenturi	uenturi	futuri	futuri
7.	On Jacob	fratre	a fratre	fratre	a fratre	fratre	fratre
8.	On Jacob	bennoym	bennoym	bennoym	beniamyn	beniamin	bennoym
9.	On Jepthah	.lx.	.lx.	.lx.	.xl. milia	.xl.	.xl.
10.	On Samson	ligatis uulpibus	ligatis uulpibus	ligatis uulpibus	ligatis uulpibus	ligato igne ad caudas uulpium	ligatis uulpibus
11.	On Elkanah	que	qui	qui	que	que	que
12.	On Saul	electus est et inunctus	et om.	et om.	et inunctus om.	electus est et inunctus	electus est et inunctus
13.	On David	philisteos et ydumeos	et om.	et om.	et om.	philisteos et ydumeos	et om.
14.	On Hezekiah	disposuerat	disposuerat	dissipauerat	disposuerat	dissipauerat	disposuerat
15.	On the Kings of Assyria	judea	iuda	iudea	iuda	iudea	iudea
16.	On the End of the Kings of Judah	ab egressu ~ dies decem	ab egressu ~ dies decem	ab egressu ~ dies decem	om.	ab egressu ~ dies decem	ab egressu ~ dies decem
17.	On Belshazzar	oblationes	oblationes	oblationes	oblationes	oblationes	sacrificia
18.	On Antiochus III the Great	et ministrorum	et om.	et ministrorum	et om.	et ministrorum	et ministrorum
19.	On the Kings of Egypt	reges fuerunt alii in egypto	reges fuerunt alii in egipto	reges egipti fuerunt alii reges in egipto	reges fuerunt alii in egypto	reges egipti fuerunt alii reges in egipto	reges egypti fuerunt alii reges in egipto
20.	On Simon	johannem hyrcanum	iohannem hyrcanum	iohannem hyrcanum filium suum	hyrcanum iohannem	johannem hircanum filium suum	iohannem hyrcanum filium suum
21.	On John Hyrcanus	et ut sedaret murmur populi pro uiolatione sepulcri	om.	et ut sedaret murmur populi pro uiolatione sepulcri	.ccc. talentis	et ut sedaret murmur populi pro uiolatione sepulcri	et ut sedaret murmur populi pro uiolatione sepulchri
22.	On Demetrius I Sother	nicanorem manu ~ epiphanes occubuit	nicanorem manu ~ epiphanes occubuit	nichaorem manu ~ epiphanes occubuit	om.	nicanorem manu ~ epiphanes occubuit	nichaorem manu ~ epiphanes occubuit
23.	On Antipater III	quam et	quam	quam et	quam	quam et	quam et

With regard to names, additional witnesses were taken into account, as noted above, given the strong orthographical fluctuations and the addition of numerous appositions and attributes. The readings of these witnesses, however, are not recorded in the critical apparatus, since they served only to guide the choice among the readings of the five selected manuscripts. To some extent, these witnesses supported the inclusion of certain elements in the more ambiguous cases or in those that entered the canon (e.g., philippus tetrarca, augustus cesar, johannes euangelista).

The variants in the genealogical structure (that is, the choice of nodes and the names inscribed in them), both in content and orthography, did not pose major problems in the establishment of the critical text. These variants consist mostly of errors or alternative forms (such as, for example, alpheus/cleophas). The genealogical structure is more stable than the text blocks in the Compendium tradition. See the following list (Table 2) for the behavior of MSS C2, K, W, C, and Kö:

Table 2. Substantial variants within nodes (blank cells confirm the lemma of the critical text; mere orthographical variance is not indicated)

Node (critical text)	MS C2	MS K	MS W	MS C	MS Kö
cain		chym
calmana			salmana
saruch			sarach
thare			thare thare (repetition because of page break)
loth			loth filius aram
sue			sue uxor iude	sune
caath			coath
gerson			gerlon	gersen
sela				bela
ysuar			ysur
efrom					esron
sangar			sengar
bocci			bacci	boezi
esebon				jair
noemi	noema
azaria			azarias	azaria azaria (repetition)
meraioth				meraloth
ysai uel jesse				ysay uel jesse iesse (repetition because of page break)
abiathar				abrahe
sammaa			saminaa
saruia				saruida
salomon			salemon
semeias	semias	semias	semias
baasa (.xxiiii. syn.)					baasa .xxviiii. syn.
zamri (.vii. diebus)			iamiz .vii. diebus	zamri diebus .vii.
heliezer	helezer
helias					hehyas
bennadab	benedab		benedab	benedab
ochozias (.i.)			ochozias	.i. ochozias
joachaz (.xvii.)				joacaz .xviii.
johel				jobel
zacharias (.vi. mensibus)			zacharia .vi. menses
ozias (.lii.)					ozias .xlii.
faceia (.ii.)				facia .ii.
micheas (.vi.)					michea .viius.
obdidas uel obeth				obdias uel obeth	obidas uel obeth
merodach baladam					meradach baladam
amon (.ii.)			ammon .v.
assaradon			assara
josias (.xxxi.)					joas .xxxi.
ezechiel			ezechial
joachim uel jechonias (.iii. mensibus)				joachim iechonias .iii. mensibus
sedechias uel mathanias (.xi.)				sedechias uel mathatias .xi.
euil merodach		eulmerodach	euilmeradach	euilmoradac
hermeides magus	herineides magus			hermeidos magus
artaxerses longimanus			artaxerses longunanus	artaxerses longum annus
assuerus uel artaxerses mennon			assuerus uel artaxerses
alexander macedon			alexander
ptolomeus philadelfus			ptholomeus filodelfus		tholomeus phyladelphon
achim			achvn
ptolomeus philopator					pholomeus phylopator
seleucus zeraunos			seleucus zerannos
ptolomeus philometor			ptholomeus phalometor		photlomeus phylometor
antiochus epiphanes			antiochus epypanes
scaurus	scaurus scaurus
alexander rex				alexander
phaselus			phaseleus
augustus		augustus cesar	augustus cesar	augustus cesar	augustus cesar
mataca				mathata
mariamne				mariamnes
philippus tetrarca	philippus	philippus	philippus	philippus	philippus
salome				salomas
componius			corappouius
johannes baptista				johannes baptistas
alpheus	cleophas
jacobus maior	jacobus		iacobus	jacobus	jacobus minor
johannes euangelista	johannes	johannes	iohannes	johannes	johannes
jacobus minor	jacobus		iacobus
symon				simon cananeus
thadeus uel judas	thadeus	thadeus	tatheus	taddeus scilicet jvdas	thadeus
tiberius		tyberius cesar	tyberius cesar
joseph barsabas	joseph qui et barsabas	joseph qui et barsabas	ioseph qui et barsabas	joseph qui et barrabas	joseph qui et barsabas

It is worth noting here that in the diagram of the encampments (Forty-two Encampments) in MS C, an entire column is moved, erroneously, to the right, thereby altering the chronology of events. Moseroth, beneiachan, gadgad, jethebatha, hebrona, asyon gaber, and cades are the mansiones of the second year and not of the fortieth, as in C.

A few additional remarks can be made concerning the more eccentric witnesses. MS K appears to be contemporary with C2 and displays a comparable mise en page. Moreover, as is also the case with MSS C and Kö, it places the text on the contrarietates immediately before the section describing the events following Solomon (Hec sunt nomina regum qui post salomonem, etc.), further confirmation of its unstable position within the scheme.

MS W (1180–1183) likewise presents a broad range of peculiarities and minor errors. As the earliest manuscript, it is worth a closer examination through a few examples (Table 3):

Table 3. Substantial variants present in MS W

Text block	Critical text	MS W
On Lamech	ob	ab
On Abraham	uxorem	uxurem
On Keturah	nam	nam nam
On Jacob	tum in primogenitura tum in benedictione	tum in primogenitura et tum in benedictione
On Jacob	prouisione	prouisionem
On Jacob	uxoribus	uxore
On Korah	litigauit	litiganti
On Joshua	lapidauit	lapidabit
On Joshua	obsederant	qui obsederant qui obsederant
On the Tribes of Israel	in josue	inio iosue
On Samson	conuiuis	conuius
On Daniel’s Fourth Vision	bestiis	bestiis idest

Numerous inversions are attested exclusively in this witness (with only two exceptions), evenly distributed across the first part of the work—that is, the section narrating the events prior to David—and the second, from David to the Resurrection of Christ (Table 4).

Table 4. Inversions present in MS W

Text block	Critical text	MS W
Prologue	christum finem nostrum	finem nostrum christum
On Adam	comedendo pomo	pomo comedendo
On Tubal-Cain	ex eis prius perpendit	prius perpendit ex eis
On Noah	secundi mensis	mensis secundi
On Noah	diluuii preteriti	preteriti diluuii
On the Tower of Babel	hebrea lingua	lingua hebrea
On Abraham	uxorem simulasset	simulasset uxorem
On Jacob	leso neruo	neruo leso
On Balaam	prius sibi	sibi prius (also shared by MS C )
On the Sons of Jacob	descendit christus	christus descendit
On the Sons of Kohath	tantum dicere sufficiat	sufficiat tantum dicere
On Tamar	ad patibulum ducta	ducta ad patibulum
On Nahshon	dicitur ibi	ibi dicitur
On Joshua	aliis secundum traditionem	secundum tradicionem aliis
On Abimelech	uite et rampno	ramno et uite
On Abiel	eius pater	pater eius
On David	se persequentem	persequentem se
On the Kings After Solomon	caspios montes	montes caspios
On Menahem	in se prouocauit	prouocauit in se
On Jotham	ysaias uidit	uidit ysaias
On the Time Under Hoshea	lege recepta	recepta lege
On the First Jeconiah	est et extra muros proiectus	et extra muros proiectus est
On Zedekiah	est obsessus	obsessus est
On Zedekiah	est et sepultus	et sepultus est
On Amel-Marduk	a regno eum	eum a regno
On Darius I Son of Hystaspes	soluenti parabolam	parabolam soluenti
On Nehemiah	in jerusalem retento	retento in ierusalem
On Ptolemy II Philadelphus	muneribus honoratos	honoratos muneribus
On Simon	johannem hyrcanum	hyrcanum iohannem
On Alexandra	suum filium	filium suum (also shared by MSS C and Kö )
On Hyrcanus II	tandem gladio	gladio tandem

There are also many small omissions of individual words or short phrases, of which only a few cases are shown here (Table 5):

Table 5. Omissions present in MS W

Text block	Critical text	MS W
On Lot	suis	om.
On Isaac	in bersabee	om.
On Jacob	laban	om.
On Tamar	judas	om.
On Nahshon	in	om.
On Joshua	destruxit	om.

MS W, moreover, omits large portions of two texts (see Table 1, On the End of the Kings of Judah and On Demetrius I Sother) and three entire elements: the label concerning the end of the first age, the text On the Line of Christ, and the text On the Grandsons of David. The textual additions present in W, located in the first part of the work (fols. 1v and 2r), appear in the groups AT1 and AT2 (see the note to the text block On Noah).

3.1.5 Orthography

As a rule, the orthography of C2 is adopted for the reasons outlined above (see Readings). Where all witnesses agree, fluctuations within the text and even within individual entities are generally respected.

The following typically medieval forms are either preserved or normalized: mpn; nc; nd; nt; nq; nf; mp; mb; ae/oe > e; u/v > u, including in numerals; i/j in initial position > i, but j for the initials of proper names; y and h according to the more frequently attested form; michi, nichil.

For certain readings, more conventional forms have been chosen, for example: assyria, babylonia, egyptum, cyrus, scythia, sychem, sylo, tyro, semiramis, ninus, mesopotamia, pentapolim; always israel, since no variants are recorded except in one case; ci/ti > ti except in speciosa; adqui/acqui > acqui; opt/obt > obt.

Some examples of normalization are given below (Table 6):

Table 6. Samples of normalization

Critical text	MS C2	MS K	MS W	MS C	MS Kö
hystorie				historie
acquirit				adquirit
jubal	iubal		iubal	iubal
columpna			columna
spatio	spacio	spacio	spacio		spacio
babyloniam			babiloniam	babiloniam
mesopotamie		mesopothamie
imposito			inposito

3.1.6 Numerals

Numerals, both ordinal and cardinal, are normalized and presented in words up to twelve (e.g., septem, septimo). From 13 onwards they are given in numerals and enclosed between two full stops (e.g., .xiii.; .xu.). Numbers indicating a dynastic succession are always given in numerals.

3.1.7 Capitalization

Generally, lowercase letters are used. Capital letters are used only at the beginning of a text block or label and inside the nodes (i.e., medallions) and diagrams.

3.1.8 Punctuation and Text Order

Punctuation is introduced according to modern conventions to improve readability. The following marks are used: full stop (.), comma (,), semicolon (;), and colon (:). The presentation of the text blocks follows a logical order consistent with the structure of the work, placing the text alongside the relevant figure or, more generally, the corresponding chronological period.

3.1.9 Sources

The critical text is accompanied by two types of annotations indicating the sources: apparatus biblicus and apparatus fontium. The former contains references to the biblical books in accordance with the Vulgate version; the latter contains references to other secondary texts underlying the Compendium, first of all, the Historia scholastica of Peter Comestor and among others, the Antiquitates of Flavius Josephus.

For the Compendium’s two principal sources, the Bible and the Historia scholastica, a general reference is provided for each textual unit, diagram, and for those nodes that diverge from the biblical canon (e.g., Calmana, Delbora). Where necessary for a better understanding of the text, the apparatuses provide a more precise identification of the biblical passages (Biblical reference) and selections from the Historia scholastica used by Peter of Poitiers (Sources).

Regarding the editions of the Historia scholastica, the apparatus fontium refers to both the edition by Jacques Paul Migne (Patrologia Latina 198, published in 1855) and to that by Agneta Sylwan ( Corpus Christianorum Continuatio Mediaevalis 191, published in 2005) when referring to the Book of Genesis of the Historia scholastica (Historia Libri Genesis). For all the other books of the Historia scholastica—which still lack a scholarly edition—reference is made only to the Patrologia Latina. Overall, the editions consulted are (full references are provided in the “Commentary” section):

• Biblia Sacra iuxta vulgatam versionem, ed. by Weber and Gryson (Stuttgart, 2007);
• Flavius Josephus, Antiquitates, ed. by Pollard, Timmermann, di Gregorio, Laprade, and Aubé-Pronce (2013–2019, <sites.google.com/site/latinjosephus>); see also the previous but rather incomplete The Latin Josephus. Vol. I, Introduction and Text. The Antiquities, Books I–V, ed. by Blatt (København 1958).
• Petrus Comestor, Scolastica historia (Liber Genesis), CCCM 191, ed. by Sylwan (Brepols, 2005);
• Petrus Comestor, Scolastica historia (complete), PL 198,1053–1722, ed. by Migne (Paris, 1855);
• Pseudo-Methodius, Reuelationes, ed. by Sackur (Halle, Tubingen, 1898).

3.1.10 Explanatory Notes

Additionally, some explanatory notes provide clarification of corrupt passages and difficult aspects of variance in the Compendium tradition.

3.1.11 Encoding Model

All texts are encoded in TEI/XML following the TEI Guidelines. A basic structural markup using <div> and <ab> allows for a clear distinction between nodes and textual units according to the specific type (node, text, diagram, label). Every structural element is supplied with a unique identifier derived from the superstructure (with respective pre-fixes: n-, t-, d-, l-). Textual segmentation is further refined through word-level markup (<w>), which enables precise anchoring of any kind of annotation (critical apparatus, sources, notes). Textual variation is encoded using the parallel segmentation method and <app>, <lem>, and <rdg> elements, explicitly indicating the type of variance. While semantic annotation is currently limited to person names, encoded with <rs type="person">, an extension to places and other semantic categories is planned. Numerical expressions are identified using the <num> element. References to sources and comments are encoded as notes (<note>), organized into note groups (<noteGrp>) according to their specific type (general-ref; app-bib; app-font; phil-note). Biblical references and secondary sources are linked to the relevant textual segments through the specification of both identifiers and range of words to which each reference applies.