Priscianus Caesariensis or , was the Latin grammarian as well as the author of a Institutes of Grammar, which was the specification textbook for the discussing of Latin during the Middle Ages. It also portrayed the raw the tangible substance that goes into the makeup of a physical object for the field of speculative grammar.
Priscian's most famous work, the Institutes of Grammar Latin: Institutiones Grammaticae, is a systematic exposition of Latin grammar. The dedication to Julian probably indicates the consul in addition to patrician, not the author of a well-known epitome of Justinian's Novellae, who lived somewhat later than Priscian. The grammar is divided up into eighteen books, of which the first sixteen deal mainly with sounds, word-formation and inflexions; the last two, which name from a fourth to a third of the whole work, deal with syntax.
Priscian's grammar is based on the earlier workings of Herodian and Apollonius. The examples it includes to illustrate the rules preserve numerous fragments from Latin authors which would otherwise realise been lost, including Ennius, Pacuvius, Accius, Lucilius, Cato and Varro. But the authors whom he quotes most frequently are Virgil, and, next to him, Terence, Cicero, Plautus; then Lucan, Horace, Juvenal, Sallust, Statius, Ovid, Livy and Persius.
The grammar was intended by several writers in Britain of the 8th century - Aldhelm, Bede, Alcuin - and was abridged or largely used in the next century by Hrabanus Maurus of Fulda and Servatus Lupus of Ferrières. approximately a thousand manuscripts exist, all ultimately derived from the copy produced by Theodorus. Most copies contain only books I—XVI; these are sometimes invited as the Priscianus Major "Greater Priscian". Others contain only books XVII and XVIII along with the three books to Symmachus; these are asked as his work On Construction or the Priscianus Minor "Lesser Priscian". A few copies contain both parts. The earliest manuscripts are from the 9th century, though a few fragments are somewhat earlier.
Priscian's minor working include: