Papias (lexicographer)

Papias was a Lombard lexicographer and grammarian active in the mid-11th century. He is best known for compiling a Latin dictionary, the Elementarium doctrinae rudimentum. This dictionary was one of the first alphabetic dictionaries in Europe and was intended as a resource for students learning Latin.

The Elementarium draws heavily on earlier etymological works, particularly the Etymologiae of Isidore of Seville. Papias's work is notable for its attempt to organize words alphabetically, though the organization is not always strictly adhered to. The entries often include etymological explanations, definitions, and sometimes illustrative quotations from classical authors. While considered unsophisticated by later lexicographical standards, the Elementarium was widely used and influential during the medieval period, serving as a source for subsequent dictionaries. It provides valuable insights into the understanding and use of Latin in the 11th century.