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

Diktyon no.: Diktyon 11819

Introduction: This fragment, probably copied in the 13th century, consists of a folio and a bifolio, separate but following directly in the original folio sequence of the manuscript. It contains part of an Oktoechos, a liturgical book containing hymns for Sunday services, arranged according to the eight echoi (musical modes). Dr Christopher Wright

Language(s): Greek

Oktoechos

The fragment contains part of Ode 3 and all of Odes 4-7 of the Resurrection Chant (1st Tone).

Incipit: || f. 1r ρέτην· σοὶ πρὸς πίπτωμεν· τῶ αναστάντι[sic] ἐκ τάφου

Explicit: f. 3v ὁ αἰνετὸς τῶν πατέρων Θεὸς καὶ ὐπεραγίας||

Physical Description

Form: codex

Support: Parchment, of medium thickness and quality.

Extent: Fragment (bifolio, leaf) 3 leaves. 260 × 200 mm.

Foliation: The fragments are foliated with the numbers 1-3, in pencil, in Arabic numerals, recto, upper right

Condition

All folios have suffered tears to their margins. There are red, green and yellow paint stains, areas of dirt, and some fading and abrasion of ink.

Layout

Two columns of 33 lines each. 190 × 145 mm. Pricking survives to the foredge, but much has been lost to damage or cropping. Ruled in hardpoint, type Leroy 00D2. Text hangs from the lines.

Hand(s)

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

Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line, though usually at the end. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent. There is decorative use of the double dot and accentuation of all nomina sacra .

There are inclusions of letters within omicron.

Punctuation used includes the middle and upper points and full stop.

Musical Notation: There is marginal theta notation.

Decoration

Some sections begin with slightly ornamented minor initials in red ink. Some important words begin with normal letters in red ink.

Other sections begin with minor initials in black ink, sometimes with a slightly greater degree of ornamentation than those in red.

Additions

The number 3 in blue crayon on f. 2r indicates this item's place in the sequence of Christ's College Library fragments. The numbers 212 w and 200 φ appear on the same folio.

History

Origin: The style of script suggests that the manuscript from which this came was copied in the 13th century.

Provenance and Acquisition

Owned by the classicist and teacher W.H.D. Rouse (1863-1950) , Honorary Fellow of Christ's.

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)

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 C

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