Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries

A catalogue of Western manuscripts and papyri at Cambridge University Library, the Fitzwilliam Museum and selected Cambridge colleges

Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.5.15

Diktyon no.: Diktyon 12000

Contents

Introduction: This manuscript is a Miscellany of Greek texts on mathematics, geography, astronomy, engineering and theology. It is a composite, made up of five parts copied in the second half of the 17th century by six different hands which were later bound together. One of the texts is the work of the ancient astronomer Aristarchos of Samos on the distances of the sun and moon, which appears both in the original Greek and in Arabic translation. The first part contains a selection of short ancient works on astronomy and geography, including the work of Aristarchos in Greek, along with a 14th-century theological treatise on the schism between the chuches of East and West and an account of a 9th-century synod. The second consists of the work of Aristarchos in Arabic, complete with diagrams. The third includes ancient texts on machinery and optics, along with a commentary by the 4th-century CE mathematican and astronomer Theon of Alexandria on the highly influential set of astronomical tables produced by his 2nd-century precursor Ptolemy. The content of the fourth and fifth parts is related to this. The fourth contains Ptolemy's own introduction to the tables, along with two other tables he produced, a chronological one of the reigns of rulers and another of the latitudes and longitudes of cities, extracted from his Geography, while the fifth comprises a second, longer treatise by Theon on the astronomical tables. Those tables themselves, however, do not appear in the manuscript. Dr Christopher Wright

Physical Description

Form: codex
Extent: Codex: 6 + 154 + 3 leaves.
Foliation: The manuscript begins with the unfoliated endleaves [i-iii] + [iv-vi] followed by folios paginated with the numbers 1-42, [43-50], then foliated with the numbers 1-5, 1-36, then paginated with the numbers 1-36, then foliated with the numbers 1-70, [vii-ix], in Arabic numerals, in pencil, recto, upper right, and for paginated folios verso, upper left.

Condition

pp. 4:3-4:4 are detached. There are areas of dirt.

Additions

There are marginal scholia and annotations in Latin, Greek and Arabic.

Binding

18th-century binding with grey paper covering over couched-laminate boards, with a white parchment spine and plain pastedowns. The classmark appears on the spine on patches.

375 × 248 × 28 mm.

History

Provenance and Acquisition

Owned by the antiquary Thomas Gale (c. 1635-1702) , Fellow of Trinity and Dean of York. It appears in the 1697 catalogue of Gale's collection contained in Trinity College MS O.5.38 (pp. 167-168).

Donated to Trinity College by Thomas's son, the antiquary Roger Gale (1672-1744) , in 1738.

Part 1 [Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.5.15, ff. 1:1-1:50]

Contents

1. pp. 1:1-1:20, line 12
Aristarchos of Samos, De magnitudinibus et distantiis solis et lunae
Language(s): Greek

TLG 1181.001

2. p. 1:20, lines 13-26
Hypsikles, Anaphoricus
Language(s): Greek

TLG 0717.002

3. pp. 1:27-1:29, line 14
Demetrios Triklinios (c. 1280-1340), Treatise on lunar theory
Language(s): Greek

Excerpt: lines 61-168

Filiation: Wasserstein identifies this as a copy of this text in Cambridge, University Library, MS Ll.4.12 (Wasserstein, 'Triclinius', p. 160).

TLG 2999.004

4. p. 1:29, lines 15-34
Agathemeros, Geographiae informatio
Language(s): Greek

Brief excerpts

TLG 0090.001

5. p. 1:30, lines 1-6
Geographical excerpt
Language(s): Greek
Rubric: p. 1:30 Διάγνωσις ἐπιτομὴ τῆς ἐν τῇ γʹ γεωγραφίας
Incipit: p. 1:30 Τοῦ τεχνιχοῦ Γιτολεμαίου[sic] διεξίοντο ὅσα τῇ γεωγραφίᾳ
6. p. 1:30, lines 7-17
Geographical expositio compendiaria
Language(s): Greek

Brief excerpts from sections 13, 27, 26

TLG 0092.001

7. p. 1:30, lines 18-23
Michael Psellos (976-1077), Synopsis of the Physics Σύνοψις τῶν φυσικῶν
Language(s): Greek

Excerpt

Incipit: Συμεών μαγίστρου τοῦ Σήθ σύνοψις τῶν φυσικῶν

Ed. G. Seebode, Μιχαὴλ Ψελλοῦ Ἐπιλύσεις σύντομοι φυσικῶν ζητημάτων (Gotha 1840; Wiesbaden 1857)

8. pp. 1:31-1:33, line 11
Theon of Smyrna, De utilitate mathematicae
Language(s): Greek

Excerpt: ed. Hiller, pp. 138-143

TLG 1724.001

9. p. 1:33, line 12-p. 1:42, line 16
Barlaam of Calabria (c. 1290-1348), Contra Latinos (tractatus B)
Language(s): Greek

Excerpt: Oration 5 (ed. Fyrigos, sections 4-31)

TLG 3159.005

10. p. 1:42, lines 17-26
Notes on the synod of Constantinople (869-870)
Language(s): Latin and Greek
Incipit: VIII synodus Constantinopolis habita Basilio Macedone imperante

pp. [43-50] are blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: f. [vi], pp. 1:1-1:[50] Western paper, folded in folio. Watermark: Horn ( 53 × 47 mm. ) in the centre of the folio, similar to Heawood 2667, 2669-2671, 2674. These examples are dated to 1665-1683.
Extent: f. [vi], pp. 1:1-1:[50] 297 × 193 mm.

Collation

This part consists of one quire, of 26 folios.

  • Quire 126 f. [vi], pp. 1:1-1:[50]

Layout

pp. 1:1-1:42 A single column of 31-32 lines. 231-258 × 132 mm.

Hand(s)

pp. 1:1-1:42 were copied by Hand A in mixed minuscule script, slanting to the right, in black ink, with modest variation in letter size.

Punctuation used includes the lower point, lower comma and full stop.

Decoration

Transitions between texts are sometimes marked by simple vignettes in brown ink.

History

Origin: This part was probably copied in the second half of the 17th century, as indicated by the watermarks. This is consistent with the style of script.

Part 2 [Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.5.15, ff. 2:1-2:5]

Contents

11. ff. 2:1r-2:5v
Aristarchos of Samos, De magnitudinibus et distantiis solis et lunae
Language(s): Arabic

Greek text TLG 1181.001

f. 2:1v is blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 2:1-2:5 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermark: Horn ( 58 × 40 mm. ) in the centre of the folio, similar to Heawood 2667, 2669-2671, 2674. These examples are dated to 1665-1683.
Extent: ff. 2:1-2:5 315 × 203 mm.

Collation

This part consists of one quire, whose structure could not be definitely determined, but which the distribution of watermarks suggests may have been a quaternion.

  • Quire 28-3 ff. 2:2-2:5 The last three folios were cancelled, with loss of text.

Layout

ff. 2:1r-2:5v A single column of 35-46 lines. 240-283 × 145-150 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 2:1r-2:5v were probably copied by Hand B, in Arabic script, in brown ink.

Decoration

The text is illustrated with diagrams.

History

Origin: This part was probably copied in the second half of the 17th century, as indicated by the watermarks. This is consistent with the style of script.

Part 3 [Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.5.15, ff. 3:1-3:36]

Contents

12. ff. 3:1r-3:27v
Theon of Alexandria, Shorter Commentary on Ptolemy's Handy Tables Εἰς τοὺς προχείρους Πτολεμαίου κανόνας (Commentarium parvum)
Language(s): Greek
Filiation: Tihon identifies this as a copy of this text in Oxford, St John's College, MS 30, ff. 65r-91r (Tihon, Petit commentaire, p. 75).

TLG 2033.002

13. ff. 3:28r-3:31v, line 7
Damianos of Larissa, Opticis
Language(s): Greek

TLG 2627.001

14. f. 3:31v, line 8-f. 32v
Hero of Alexandria, Definitiones
Language(s): Greek

TLG 0559.008

15. ff. 3:35v-3:36v
Anthemios of Tralles (c. 474-c. 534), On wondrous devices Περὶ παραδόξων μηχανημάτων
Language(s): Greek

TLG 4088.003

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 3:1-3:36v Western paper, folded in folio. Watermark: Coat of arms ( 100 × 52 mm. ) in the centre of the folio, similar to Heawood 661, 678. These examples are dated to 1680-1693.
Extent: ff. 3:1-3:36v 365 × 235 mm.

Collation

The manuscript consists of four quires, of which one is a ternion and the rest are quinia.

  • Quires 3-510 f. 3:1-3:30
  • Quire 66 f. 3:31-3:34

Layout

ff. 1r-36r A single column of 30 lines. 215 × 130 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 3:1r-3:36r were copied by Hand C in mixed minuscule script , slanting to the right, in brown ink, with moderate variation in letter size.

Punctuation used includes the lower point, lower comma and full stop.

Headings were written in the same style in red ink.

Decoration

The text on f. 3:1r begins with a minor initial in red ink overwritten with brown.

The beginning of the text on f. 3:1r is preceded by a simple vignette in red ink.

History

Origin: This part was probably copied in the last third of the 17th century, as indicated by the watermarks. This is consistent with the style of script.

Part 4 [Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.5.15, ff. 4:1-4:36]

Contents

16. pp. 4:1-4:22
Ptolemy, Arrangement and calculation of the Handy Tables Προχείρων κανόνων διάταξις καὶ ψηφοφορία
Language(s): Greek

TLG 0363.005

17. pp. 4:23-4:25
Ptolemy, Regnal Canon
Language(s): Greek
18. pp. 4:26-4:35
Ptolemy, Table of Noteworthy Cities
Language(s): Greek
19. p. 4:36
Notes on the preceding tables
Language(s): Greek
Incipit: p. 4:36 Τὰ ἑξηκοστὰ τῶν ὁρῶν ἐν τῇ ὀρθῇ σφαίρᾳ κείμενα

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: 4:1-4:10 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermark: Coat of arms ( 76 × 45 mm. ) in the centre of the folio. 4:11-4:36 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermark: Fleur-de-lys ( 72 × 42 mm. ) in the centre of the folio, similar to Heawood 1783. This example is dated to 1685.
Extent: 4:1-4:36 310 × 198 mm.

Collation

The manuscript consists of eight quires, of which two are binia and the rest single bifolios.

  • Quire 74-1 pp. 4:1-4:6 The first folio has been cancelled, without loss of text
  • Quires 8-134 pp. 4:7-4:30
  • Quire 144-1 pp. 4:31-4:36 The last folio has been cancelled, without loss of text

Layout

pp. 4:1-4:22 A single column of 30 lines. 189-242 × 120 mm.

pp. 4:23-4:35 A table of six columns and 31-32 lines. 220-253 × 120-140 mm.

p. 4:36 A single column of 23 lines. 183 × 120 mm.

Hand(s)

pp. 4:1-4:22 were copied by Hand D in mixed minuscule script , slanting to the right, in brown ink, with moderate variation in letter size.

Punctuation used includes the middle point, lower comma and full stop.

pp. 4:23-4:36 were copied by Hand E in mixed minuscule script , slanting to the right, in brown ink, with modest variation in letter size.

Punctuation used includes the lower and middle points, lower comma and full stop.

History

Origin: This part was probably copied in the last third of the 17th century, as indicated by the watermarks. This is consistent with the style of script.

Part 5 [Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.5.15, ff. 5:1-5:20]

Contents

20. ff. 5:1r-5:20v
Theon of Alexandria, Longer commentary on Ptolemy's Handy Tables Ὑπόμνημα εἰς τοὺς προχείρους Πτολεμαίου κανόνας (Commentarium magnum)
Language(s): Greek
Filiation: Tihon identifies this as a copy of this text in Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Savile 2, ff. 313r-451r, which was also the exemplar for Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Auct. F.1.2, ff. 157r-233r (Tihon, Grand commentaire, pp. 67-68).

TLG 2033.009

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff 5:1-5:20 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermark: Coat of arms ( 85 × 42 mm. ) in the centre of the folio, similar but not identical to Heawood 737, 745. These examples are dated to 1688.
Extent: ff 5:1-5:20 315 × 217 mm.

Collation

This part consists of ten quires, all single bifolios.

  • Quires 15-242 ff. 5:1-5:20

There are quire signatures in Arabic numerals, in brown ink, on the first folio of each quire, recto, lower right, part of a sequence which also covers the following part. They appear on all quires (1-10).

Layout

ff. 5:1r-5:20r A single column of 30 lines. 217 × 120 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 5:1r-5:20r were copied by Hand F in mixed minuscule script , slanting to the right, in brown ink, with modest variation in letter size.

Accents are sometimes joined to letters, breathings and abbreviations.

Punctuation used includes the lower and middle points, lower comma and full stop.

Headings were written in the same style in red ink.

Decoration

Sections begin with minor initials in red ink overwritten with brown.

The beginning of the text on f. 5:1r is preceded by a simple vignette in red ink overwritten with brown.

History

Origin: This part was probably copied in the last quarter of the 17th century, as indicated by the watermarks. This is consistent with the style of script.

Part 6 [Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.5.15, ff. 5:21-5:70]

Contents

21. ff. 5:21r-5:68v
??, ??
Language(s): Greek
Filiation: Tihon identifies this as a copy of this text in Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Savile 2, ff. 313r-451r, which was also the exemplar for Oxford, Bodleian Library, MS Auct. F.1.2, ff. 157r-233r (Tihon, Grand commentaire, pp. 67-68).

TLG 2033.009

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff 5:21-5:68 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermark: Coat of arms ( 94 × 78 mm. ) in the centre of the folio, similar to Heawood 430. This example is undated. ff 5:69-5:70 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermark: Fleur-de-lys ( 94 × 78 mm. ) in the centre of the folio, similar to Heawood 1785. This example is dated to 1670.
Extent: ff 5:21-5:68 326 × 214 mm.

Collation

This part consists of 25 quires, all single bifolios.

  • Quires 21-452 ff. 5:21-5:70

There are quire signatures in Arabic numerals, in brown ink, on the first folio of each quire, recto, lower right, continuing the sequence from the previous part. They appear on all quires (11-35).

Layout

ff. 5:21r-5:70r A single column of 30 lines. 220 × 120 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 5:21r-5:70r were copied by Hand F in mixed minuscule script , slanting to the right, in brown ink, with modest variation in letter size.

Accents are sometimes joined to letters, breathings and abbreviations.

Punctuation used includes the lower and middle points, lower comma and full stop.

Headings were written in the same style in red ink.

Decoration

Sections begin with minor initials in red ink overwritten with brown.

History

Origin: This part was probably copied in the second half of the 17th century, as indicated by the watermarks. This is consistent with the style of script.

Additional Information

Availability

Visitors to Trinity College 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: Trinity College: Information for Readers.

Bibliography

    The tradition of the minor Greek geographers Philological monographs, Diller, Aubrey, (Lancaster, PA, American Philological Association, 1952) Catalogus Codicum Astrologorum Graecorum. Tomus IX Pars II. Codices Britannicos, Weinstock, Stefan (Bruxelles, In aedibus Academiae, 1953) An unpublished treatise by Demetrius Triclinius on lunar theory Jahrbuch der österreichischen Byzantinischen Gesellschaft, Wasserstein, A. (16, 153-174, 1967) Le "Petit commentaire" de Théon d'Alexandrie aux tables faciles de Ptolémée Studi e testi, Tihon, A. (Città del Vaticano, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, 1978) Le "Grand commentaire" de Théon d'Alexandrie aux tables faciles de Ptolémée. Livre I Studi e testi, Mogenet, JosephTihon, A. (Città del Vaticano, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, 1985) Iter Psellianum: a detailed listing of manuscript sources for all works attributed to Michael Psellos, including a comprehensive bibliography Iter Psellianum Subsidia mediaevalia, Moore, Paul (Toronto, Pontifical Institute of Mediaeval Studies, 2005) Greek manuscripts acquired by Henry and Thomas Savile in Padua The Bodleian Library Record, Sosower, Mark L. (19, 2, 157-175, 2006)

Funding of Cataloguing

The Polonsky Foundation

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Cambridge Digital Library

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