Cambridge, Christ's College, MS Rouse 253
Diktyon no.: Diktyon 11807
Contents
Language(s): Greek
Defective at the beginning and end: begins during the Gospel lection for the second Saturday of John (Jn 6:15); ends during the tenth lection of the eothina (Jn 21:11)
Gregory-Aland l 1985
Attributed to John Chrysostom (d. 407)
TLG 2062.259
CPG 4605
PG 59, coll. 721-724
The text is accompanied by a table in the left-hand margin
Physical Description
Collation
The manuscript consists of 31 quires, of which one is a ternion and the rest are quaternia.
- Quires 1-308 ff. 1-240
- Quire 316 ff. 241-246
Condition
Layout
ff. 1r-241r A single column of 18-19 lines. 143-153 × 85-90 mm.
ff. 241v-243v A single column of 27-29 lines. 145-153 × 85 mm.
f. 244r A single column of 27 lines. 150 × 80 mm.
ff. 244v-246v A table of 18-24 rows, with 1-3 lines of text above and below. 140-180 × 95-125 mm.
Hand(s)
ff. 1r-16v were copied by Hand A in a mixed minuscule script, slanting to the right, in black ink, with significant variation in letter size.
Syllabic abbreviations and superscript words appear throughout the line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent. Use of the double dot is functional only, and there is accentuation of all nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to letters, abbreviations and nomina sacra strokes.
The modern eta, modern nu, sigma telikon and loop epsilon are present, and there are inclusions of letters within omicron.
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper points, question mark and full stop.
ff. 17r-34r were copied by Hand B in a mixed minuscule script, with variable slant, in brown ink, with moderate variation in letter size.
Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent or subscript. Use of the double dot is functional only, and there is accentuation of all nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to abbreviations. The double grave accent is in use
The modern eta, sigma telikon and loop epsilon are present.
Punctuation used includes the lower, middle and upper points, lower and middle commas, question mark and full stop.
ff. 34v-80v, 193r-209v, line 7, f. 209v, line 8-f. 238v and f. 239r, line 4-f. 243v were copied by Hand C in a mixed minuscule script, slanting to the right, in black ink, with moderate variation in letter size and some flourishing of tails into the margin. Flourishes and enlarged letters are sometimes decorated with a layer of red ink within curves.
Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round and mute iota is usually subscript but sometimes absent. Use of the double dot is functional only, and there is accentuation of all lengths of nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to nomina sacra strokes.
The modern eta, sigma telikon and loop epsilon are present.
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper points, lower and middle commas, question mark and full stop.
ff. 81r-90v, line 14 were copied by Hand D in a mixed minuscule script with variable slant, in black ink, with modest variation in letter size. Enlarged letters are sometimes decorated with a layer of red ink within curves.
Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent or subscript. Use of the double dot is functional only, and there is accentuation of all lengths of nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to letters, abbreviations and nomina sacra strokes.
The modern eta, sigma telikon and loop epsilon are present.
The word καί is sometimes written with the kappa placed within and joined to the loop of an enlarged alpha (e.g. f. 83v, lines 4 and 13).
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper points, lower and middle commas, question mark and full stop. Points have often been covered by crosses in red ink, while red ink is also used in parts of some question marks and full stops.
f. 90v, lines 15-19 and f. 102r, lines 1-3 were copied by Hand E in a mixed minuscule script, slanting slightly to the right, in black ink, with modest variation in letter size. This script is similar to Hands D and F, but larger and less assured, and features decorative use of the double dot.
f. 90v, line 19-f. 101v, line 7, f. 102r, line 9-f. 108v, line 3, f. 108v, line 6-f. 115r, line 8 and f. 115r, line 17-f. 136v were copied by Hand F in a mixed minuscule script with variable slant, in black ink, with modest variation in letter size. There is flourishing of tails into the margin, sometimes with elaborately looped forms (e.g. ff. 126r-127v). Enlarged letters and flourishes are sometimes decorated with a layer of red ink within curves.
Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent or subscript. There is decorative use of the double dot, and accentuation of all lengths of nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to letters, abbreviations and nomina sacra strokes. Circumflexes are often small, double-curved and almost flat. There are horizontal strokes in red ink over some proper nouns.
The modern eta, sigma telikon and loop epsilon are present.
Majuscule beta commonly appears in a heart-shaped form. The abbreviation of καί often features an ascender with a downward turn to the left (e.g. f. 92r, lines 1-2 and 18).
Punctuation used includes the lower, middle and upper points, lower comma, question mark and full stop. Points have often been covered by larger dots in red ink.
f. 101v, lines 8-19 and f. 102r, lines 4-8 were copied by Hand G in a mixed minuscule script, upright or slanting slightly to the right, in black ink, with modest variation in letter size.
Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round. There is accentuation of all lengths of nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to letters. There are horizontal strokes in over some proper nouns.
The loop epsilon is present.
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper points. Points have often been covered by larger dots in red ink.
f. 108v, lines 3-6 were copied by Hand H in a crude mixed minuscule script, with variable slant, in black ink.
f. 115r, lines 9 and 12-17 were copied by Hand I in mixed minuscule script, slanting slightly to the right, in brown ink.
f. 115r, lines 10-12 were copied by Hand J in mixed minuscule script, with variable slant, in brown ink, similar to Hand F.
f. 137r, lines 1-4 were copied by Hand K in mixed minuscule script, slanting slightly to the right, in brown ink.
f. 137r, lines 5-19 were copied by Hand L in mixed minuscule script, upright or slanting to the right, in brown ink, with modest variation in letter size.
Superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent or subscript. There is accentuation of all lengths of nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to letters and nomina sacra strokes.
The sigma telikon and loop epsilon are present.
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper points, lower comma and full stop. Points are sometimes accompanied by a second point in red ink.
ff. 137v-168r, line 16 were copied by Hand M in mixed minuscule script, slanting slightly to the right, in black ink, with significant variation in letter size, similar to Hand F. There is flourishing of tails into the margin, sometimes with elaborately looped forms (e.g. f. 143r). Enlarged letters and flourishes are sometimes decorated with a layer of red ink within curves.
Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent or subscript. There is decorative use of the double dot and accentuation of all lengths of nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to letters, abbreviations and nomina sacra strokes. The double grave accent is in use. Circumflexes are often very small.
The sigma telikon and loop epsilon are present. Majuscule beta often appears in long-bowed form. The abbreviation of καί often features an ascender with a downward turn to the left. There is frequent use of the ligature of συν with sigma enveloping the other letters (e.g. f. 142v).
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper points, lower comma and full stop. Points are sometimes accompanied by a second point in red ink.
f. 168r, line 17-f. 168v were copied by Hand N in mixed minuscule script, slanting to the right, in black ink, with modest variation in letter size.
Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent or subscript. There is decorative use of the double dot and accentuation of all lengths of nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to letters.
The modern eta, modern nu, sigma telikon and loop epsilon are present.
Punctuation used includes the lower, middle and upper points and lower comma.
ff. 169r-176v were copied by Hand O in an inelegant, upright mixed minuscule script, in black ink, with significant variation in letter size.
Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent. There is decorative use of the double dot and accentuation of all lengths of nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to letters, breathings and nomina sacra strokes.
The modern eta, modern nu, sigma telikon and loop epsilon are present, and there are inclusions of letters within omicron.
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper points, lower comma and full stop. Points have often been covered by larger dots in red ink.
f. 177r, lines 1-5 were copied by Hand P in mixed minuscule script, slanting slightly to the right, in black ink.
ff. 177r-177v, f. 179r, lines 1-8 and f. 179v, line 8-f. 184v were copied by Hand Q in a upright mixed minuscule script, in black ink, with moderate variation in letter size.
Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent or subscript. There is decorative use of the double dot and accentuation of all lengths of nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to letters and nomina sacra strokes.
The sigma telikon and loop epsilon are present. Majuscule beta occasionally appears with a hugely expanded lower loop enclosing other letters (e.g. f. 184v).
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper points, lower comma and full stop. Punctuation marks are often accompanied by dots in red ink, causing commas to resemble question marks.
f. 178r, lines 1-8 were copied by Hand R in a crude mixed minuscule script, slanting to the right, in black ink.
ff. 185r-188v, line 5, f. 188v, line 12-f. 192v were copied by Hand S in mixed minuscule script, slanting slightly to the right, in brown ink, with modest variation in letter size.
Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round and mute iota is subscript. Use of the double dot is functional only, and there is accentuation of all lengths of nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to letters and nomina sacra strokes.
The modern eta, sigma telikon and loop epsilon are present.
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper points, lower and middle commas and full stop.
f. 188v, lines 6-7 were copied by Hand T in mixed minuscule script, slanting to the right, in brown ink.
f. 188v, lines 8-11 were copied by Hand U in mixed minuscule script, slanting to the right, in brown ink.
f. 192v, lines 7-8 and f. 239r, lines 1-3 were copied by Hand V in mixed minuscule script, slanting to the right, in black ink.
f. 209v, lines 7-8 were copied by Hand W in mixed minuscule script, slanting to the right, in black ink.
ff. 244r-246v were copied by Hand X in mixed minuscule script, upright or slanting to the right, in brown ink, with moderate variation in letter size. The degree of formality employed by this hand varies
Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent. Use of the double dot is functional only.
Distinctive letter forms include large iota with a curve to the left at the foot and chi with its descenders joined by a loop. The word καί is sometimes written with the kappa placed within and joined to the loop of an enlarged alpha
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper points, lower and middle commas and full stop.
Decoration
On f. 81r the lection is preceded by a rectangular headpiece in black and red ink with translucent green infill.
Each lection begins with a highly ornamented initial letter in two different styles, mingled throughout the manuscript. In one, the letters are in solid red or red and black ink with scrolling ornament. In the other, some letters are outlined in black ink with some red infill, sometimes (in ff. 81r-128v) combined with green infill (and in one case, f. 82v, yellow). The initials on ff. 81r-128v and 158v-159r are surrounded or covered with translucent wash, yellow on ff. 81r-84r, 86v-87v and 158v-159r, green on ff. 84v-86r and 89r-128v.
Some initials of the outlined style feature hands giving a blessing (e.g. ff. 81v) or grasping the letter (e.g. ff. 82v, 92v), or animal forms (e.g. ff. 84r, 91v, 122v, 178v). One incorporates a face (f. 158v), while another is in the form of a musician (f. 172v). They vary considerably in size, and are on occasional very extensive (e.g. ff. 128v, 193v).
On f. 198v two initials have been written across each other.
The beginning of sections of lections is sometimes marked by a simple minor initial in red ink. Important words in some headings begin with normal letters in red ink; those on ff. 81r-87v are highlighted with translucent yellow wash.
The end of some lections is accompanied by line-fillers in various styles, outlined in black ink with red and sometimes translucent green infill (e.g ff. 95r, 111r, 146r, 171r, 212r).
The ends of some lections are accompanied by a piece of vegetative ornament in the outer margin alongside, in the same style as the initials (sporadically among ff. 91v-105r, 118v-120v, 146v-147r, 157r-173v, 184r).
Additions
There are many marginal annotations in Greek, calculations and pen-trials by a variety of different hands, some of which give names or dates:-
The deacon Michael Lentitadra placed a note of his ownership on ff. 20v-21r: ‘Ἐτούτω το ἁποστὡλόβακλοῦ ὑπαρχοι του διακοῦ Μιχάλος του Λαίντοίταδρἁ και οποίως εὑρεθη και αποξαινωσῦ αυτο να ναῖ αφορεσμαῖνὡς καὶ καταραμένος παρα Κηρύου Παντωκρατορος εχῶν καὶ τας καταρᾶς τοῦ αγήου τροιακώσυοῦ και ωκτο θεοφορῶν παταιροῦ υμοῦ του εν ⟨Νι⟩καια αμῆν ’, and similar notes on ff. 37r and 38r, giving his name here as ‘Μοιχαλακοι του Λαιντοιταδρα’ and ‘Μοιχαλακοι του Λεντηταδρα’ respectively. On f. 38r he has also added ‘Διακο Μοιχαλης εγραψε και μαρτηρε τα ανοθεν ’.
The deacon Michael Leotes, son of Andreas, has written an ownership note on f. 103v: ‘ετουτο τὸ απὼστωλὼβαγγὲλο υπαρχη τον διακον Μηχαλη τον Λεωτη του Ανδρεα καὶ ο τουτο πὰριε να εχη την καταρα τω τρι’. On f. 104r he has added prayers for himself and Andreas.
The name of a deacon Michael also appears on f. 161r and f. 182r, and Michael on f. 171r, in three other hands.
The deacon Leo Perkoulas has written his name on f. 60r: ‘Εγω Λεος του διακου το επικλιον Περκουλας γραφο και μαρτιρο’. He appears to have written a similar note on f. 59r, but part of this has been lost to cropping, and has left other notes on ff. 120r, 133v and 169v, containing roughly the same text but in a monocondylion form.
A note on f. 82r gives the date 1647: ‘1647 ἠρταν οἰ Φράγκοι καὶ η ψαλτοῖς σταυλους’.
A cleric named Nikolaos has written his name on f. 88v: ‘Παπα Νηκολάς γραφο και μαρτιρων τα ανοθε γεγραμα’, and similar notes on ff. 72v and 202v. He may be responsible for notes on f. 73v, giving the month of April and then May 1730: ‘μηνι Απριλύω 1730 - Μαγυο -’, followed by a mark resembling the ligature ου, which may be a numeral for the day.
A note on f. 89r gives the date 21 June 1735.
The deacon Georgios Korosos or Korousos has written his name on f. 89r: ‘Ἐγὼ δὶάκος τοῦ παπὰ Γεὠργιὸ ἐπικλη Κοροσος δι γραφω τα ανωθε’, and on f. 221r: ‘Ἐγὼ διακος τοῦ ταπεινοὺ Γεωργίου τὸ ἐπὶκληθὲν Κορουσου’.
The deacon Georgios Telebos (?) wrote his name in a note on f. 122r.
The deacon Georgios, son of the deacon Kostas, wrote a note on f. 141r: Διακῶ Γεοργης του διακου Κόστα στεργομαι και μαρτιρμαι θελειματον υποκατοθε γεγραμαινῶν.
The name of a deacon Georgios also appears on f. 99r: ‘Διάκο Γεοργίς γραφω καὶ ιποσχωμαι’, and on f. 168v.
A person named Sabas has added a note on f. 112v: ‘δία τίς παρουσέος ομολωγιας καὶ καθωλικοίς απωδίξαίος ωμωλογο εγω ο τ...(?)ς Σαβα’.
One Manuel or Manoles has also added his name on f. 112v: Ἐγὼ Μανόλης
The hieromonachos Auxentios recorded his bearing witness on f. 129r: ‘Αξετηος ιερομωναχος μαρτιρος προτοειδεστατος εις τουτο το αγιον εβαγγελων’, and wrote other notes with his name here and on f. 59r. The same name appears in a monocondylion form on f. 231v.
One Michalakes, son of the deacon Leo, has added a note on f. 185r: ‘ο Μηχαλακης του διακου Λεου εμαρτηρισε τα ανοθεν γεγρα..(?) ’
A deacon Georgios has written has name on f. 221r: ‘Ἐγὼ διακος τοῦ Γεωργ⟨ιος⟩ τὸ ἐπὶκλη⟨τ⟩ὸν Κοργος ’.
The name of a deacon Leo appears on f. 244r.
A note on f. 28r is a prayer for one Kyriakos: ‘Κήρηἑ σωσον τοὺς ευσεβὴς και επάκου σὸν ημὼν θεγος(?) θήμώς κοιρηοὺ θημος(?) Κοὶριακὸς’
On f. 192v a table has been added relating the months of the modern system with those of ancient Athens.
Later hands have added pieces of vegetative ornament in black ink in the margins (e.g. ff. 29r, f. 51r) and repeatedly sought to copy elements of the original decoration (e.g. ff. 82v, 122v, 170v, 172v). Crude drawings of fantastical figures have been added to ff. 81r, 82r-83v and 92r. Crude non-figurative ornament has also been added in places (e.g. ff. 123r, 142r).
The presentation of the manuscript to Christ's College by W.H.D. Rouse is recorded on the left pastedown by a bookplate and a note: ‘Presented to the library by WHDR July 3rd 1940’. The present classmark and the former classmarks J.6 and GG.2.3 also appear here, along with the number Y.14, also found in other Rouse manuscripts. The latter two marks also appear on f. [i] recto, and Y.14 on f. [ii] verso.
Binding
Late 19th or early 20-century half leather binding over millboards, with marbled paper covering and plain pastedowns, by J.P. Gray and Son in Cambridge. The title ‘Ευαγγελιον’ is tooled in gold on the spine.
218 × 164 × 46 mm.
The left outer joint is completely split and both endcaps are in fragile condition.
Accompanying Material
There are two paper endleaves at each end of the manuscript, dating to the most recent rebinding. Within these are the limp leather covers of a previous binding. The outer face of each ([iii] recto and [iv] verso) is marked with various calculations in Arabic numerals; on [iii] recto there are also brief notes in Greek. Inserted loose into the beginning of the manuscript are a slip of paper bearing a note on general content and the Aland number, dated June 1968, and a note of the specific contents of ff. 1r-22r by William Elliott, dated 2 December 1987.
History
Provenance and Acquisition
Owned by the deacon Michael Leotes, son of Andreas , and by the deacon Michael Lentitadra , perhaps a descendant of the former.
Owned by the classicist and teacher W.H.D. Rouse (1863-1950) , Honorary Fellow of Christ's College, who probably acquired it in the Aegean islands, where he bought other manuscripts of similar date in 1898-1899 (Christ's College MSS Rouse 254, 255, 263, 265, 298).
Presented to Christ's College by W.H.D. Rouse , 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, Patricia E. (4, 179-191, 1966)
Codices Chrysostomici Graeci VIII: I:
Codices Ancyrae et Constantinopolis II: Addenda et
Corrigenda ad volumina I-IV, Barone, Francesca P.Voicu, Sever J. (Paris, CNRS éditions, 2018)
Funding of Cataloguing
The Polonsky Foundation
Digital Images
Abbreviations
View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.
