Johann Michael Wansleben’s manuscripts and texts. An update

This contribution focuses on an episode from the history of Ethiopian studies—the quite famous conflict between the great Hiob Ludolf (1624–1704), who is rightly considered the founder of Ethiopian studies in Europe, and his pupil, Johann Michael Wansleben (1635–1679). This story lends the opportunity to elaborate on Wansleben’s generally neglected contribution to Ethiopian studies and on the substantial relationship between Ethiopic texts and manuscripts both as a factor in the interpretation of biographical trajectories and for more far-reaching effects of philological and cultural kind. The paper also intends to make the point on Wansleben in general in light of the new evidence that has emerged on him in the past years. It is only a global understanding of his work, interests, and activities that can help to clarify some crucial points.