Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries: Cambridge, Christ's College, Fragment A

Diktyon no.: Diktyon 11817

Introduction: This fragment is an incomplete folio from a Gospel lectionary manuscript, probably copied in the 12th century. Dr Christopher Wright

Language(s): Greek

Gospel lectionary (synaxarion)

The folio contains parts of the lection for the first Tuesday after Easter (Lk 24:19-30, 31-35) and the beginning of that for Wednesday (Jn 1:37-41). Discontinuous due to the loss of the upper part of the folio

Gregory-Aland l 2360

Incipit: || f. 1r τοῦ λαοῦ· ὅπως παρέδωκαν αὐτὸν οἱ ἀρχιερεῖς

Explicit: f. 1v καὶ ἀκολουθησάντων αὐτῶ· εὑρίσκει οὗτος||

Physical Description

Form: codex

Support: Parchment, of medium thickness and quality.

Extent: Fragment (leaf) 1 leaves. 218 × 179 mm. c. 280 × 179 mm. The dimensions of the original leaf have been inferred from the amount of text remaining in each column and the likely space required to copy the intervening text between the end of each column and the beginning of the surviving portion of the following column.

Condition

There are substantial losses from the edges of the folio, with loss of text at the upper edge, and a number of small holes, mainly in the centre of the leaf. There is significant discoloration and staining, and much of the text is faded.

Layout

Two columns of 24 surviving lines each, with probably at least 6 more lines lost at the upper end of the folio, given the amount of missing text. 170 × 150 mm. Pricking does not survive. Ruled in hardpoint. Text hangs from the lines.

Hand(s)

The text has been copied in an upright mixed minuscule script, in black ink, with modest variation in letter size.

Syllabic abbreviations appear only at the end of lines and there are no superscript word endings. Breathings are curved and mute iota is absent. There is accentuation of all nomina sacra . The double grave accent is in use.

Punctuation used includes the lower, middle and upper points and lower comma. Upper points are accompanied by a cross in red ink.

Additions

On the verso, a later hand has written the name ‘Γερασιμος Μηραντηνως ’. Another hand has written ‘ χεφανος ’, and a third ‘εις’, ‘ἱππ’ and ‘ἱπποβλα’. The number 1 in blue crayon indicates this item's place in the sequence of Christ's College Library fragments.

Binding

Sewing holes and a fragment of thread survive.

Accompanying Material

The fragment is accompanied by a sheet of paper recording the content (with errors), by William Elliott, dated 2 December 1987.

History

Origin: The style of script suggests that the manuscript from which this came was copied in the 12th century.

Provenance and Acquisition

Possibly owned by one Gerasimos Merantenos .

Previously stored together with MS Rouse 298, and perhaps acquired along with it by their former owner, the classicist and teacher W.H.D. Rouse (1863-1950) , Honorary Fellow of Christ's, who bought that manuscript on Kos in 1906.

Presented to Christ's College by W.H.D. Rouse on 3 July 1940.

Additional Information

Availability

Visitors to Christ's who wish to consult Special Collections material are required to apply to the Library in advance of their visit. For information on eligibility and admission procedures see: Christ's College Old Library.

Bibliography

Greek manuscripts in Cambridge: recent acquisitions by college libraries, the Fitzwilliam Museum and private collectors. Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society, Easterling, P. E. (4, 179-191, 1966)

The Centre for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts

Funding of Cataloguing

The Polonsky Foundation

Digital Images

Cambridge Digital Library

Abbreviations

View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.

Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries

Cambridge, Christ's College, Fragment A

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