As an esteemed student of Plato, the tutor of Alexander the Great at the Macedonian court, and teacher in Greece at the time of its greatest power, Aristotle's influence during his lifetime was substantial. Yet his influence has stretched even further from ancient days to the modern era. His treatises on logic, physics, philosophy, rhetoric, and the sciences are still regarded as essential to students of these topics.

Many of Aristotle's writings, however, were lost in the fall of Rome. Some that remain are incomplete and often sketchy. As a result, scholars have come to depend on early commentators for greater understanding of what was said and meant. In addition to Greek commentators, important works were contributed by Byzantine and Islamic writers. In the 16th century, scholars of Latin undertook the task of translating many of the ancient commentaries on Aristotle's works. This not only ensured the continuation of the commentary tradition, but also exerted a profound influence on the writings of contemporaries, such as Francisco Suarez and the Conimbricenses.

Aristotle: Greek Commentators in Latin Translation makes these rare translations available to allow researchers to make fresh assessments of the focus and direction of philosophical thought in the 16th century. The collection also enables students to better understand such writers as Suarez, whose works are filled with references to the teachings of the Greek and Byzantine commentators.

Included in the collection are commentaries by the following Greek commentators.

• Alexander of Aphrodisias (fl. 198-211 AD)
• Ammonius (180-242 AD)
• Ps. Andronicus of Rhodes
• Aspasius (fl. ca. 130 AD)
• Dexippus (fl. 4th century AD)
• Eustratius (fl. ca. 1100 AD)
• Leo Magentinus (fl. ca. 1330 AD)
• Michel of Ephesus (fl. ca. 1100 AD)
• Nicephorus Blemmida (1197-1272 AD)
• Olympiodorus (fl. 6th century AD)
• George Pachymeres (1242-ca. 1310 AD)
• John Philoponus (fl. 6th century AD)
• Michael Psellus (1018-1078 AD)
• Simplicius (fl. 6th century AD)
• Sophonius (fl. ca. 1300 AD)
• Syrianus (fl. ca. 430 AD)
• Themistius (ca. 317-ca. 388 AD)

The collection was edited by Professor Donald A. Cress from the Department of Philosophy at Northern Illinois University. The printed guide accompanying the collection features an introduction that sets the works in their historical and philosophical context, a complete list of titles in the collection, and a basic bibliography of studies on the commentators whose works are included.