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.9.27

Diktyon no.: Diktyon 12026

Contents

Introduction: This manuscript, probably copied in the later 13th or earlier 14th century, contains one of the principal works of the early Greek poet Hesiod, Works and Days, a long poem of moral and agricultural guidance grounded in origin myths. The text is supported by scholia by the 12th-century Byzantine scholar Ioannes Tzetzes. Manuscripts of the Works and Days are often accompanied by illustrations. In this case there is only a single illustration included, but this, depicting a variety of agricultural tools and a wagon, portrayed in a schematic fashion from above, is a notable source for Byzantine farm equipment. Part of the manuscript is copied on older folios reused in palimpsest. The original text of these leaves is severely faded, but a portion of the text has been identified as part of a Gospel lectionary in minuscule script. Two of the manuscript's original folios were lost and substituted by a replacement folio in the 14th century, also on a palimpsest leaf. Dr Christopher Wright

Language(s): Greek and Latin

Physical Description

Form: codex
Extent: Codex: iii + 1 + 63 + i leaves.
Foliation: The manuscript is foliated with the numbers [a-c] + i + 1-63 + [d], in Arabic and Roman numerals in pencil, recto, upper right.

Collation

The manuscript consists of 8 quires: 1-48, 58-1, 6-88

Binding

18th-century binding with grey paper covering over couched-laminate boards, with a white parchment spine and plain pastedowns.

275 × 195 × 24 mm.

The spine is split and fragile and much of its covering material has been lost.

Accompanying Material

There are paper endleaves at each end, belonging to the current binding.

History

Provenance and Acquisition

Owned by Cardinal Domenico Grimani (1460-1523) , as indicated by the note on f. 1r.

Donated to Trinity College by the antiquary Roger Gale (1672-1744) in 1738.

Part 1: upper text [Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.9.27, f. i]

Contents

1. f. i verso, lines 1-12 (upper text)
Stefanus Grecus, Contract
Language(s): Italian
Incipit: f. i verso (upper text) Ego Stefanus Grecus dan in guadapnu unu sumeri ad Nicola Blancu per doy anni
Explicit: f. i verso (upper text) de Micholi de Kerameo

f. i recto (upper text) is blank apart from some notes in Greek and palimpsest undertext.

2. f. i verso, lines 12-19 (upper text)
Maximos the Confessor (c. 580-662), Capita de caritate
Language(s): Greek

Excerpt: Book 2, sections 42, 81

Rubric: f. i verso (upper text) Μάξιμος, κεφάλης μβʹ, δευτέρας ἐκαγοντάτος[sic]
Incipit: f. i verso (upper text) Ὅταν σοι ἔλθη ἐξ ἀπροσδοκήτου πειρασμὸς μὴ τὸν δι’ οὗ αἰτιῶ
Explicit: f. i verso (upper text) ἢ διὰ τὴν ἀγάπην τοῦ Θεοῦ ἢ τελευταῖον διὰ τὴν συνείδησιν τύπτουσαν.

TLG 2892.008

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Parchment
Extent: f. i 265 × 169 mm.

Collation

This part consists of a single folio used as an endleaf.

Condition

There is significant pest damage to the folio, creasing and water staining.

Layout

f. i verso (upper text) A single column of more than 19 lines. The dimensions given are approximated, as the fragile condition of the manuscript did not permit a full examination. c. 130

Hand(s)

f. i verso (upper text) was copied by Hand A in Latin and Greek script, the Greek in mixed minuscule script, slanting slightly to the right, in brown ink, with moderate variation in letter size.

Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round, and there is accentuation of all lengths of nomina sacra . Accents are sometimes joined to letters, breathings and abbreviations.

Punctuation used includes the lower and middle commas and full stop.

Additions

There are various notes and pen-trials in Latin and Greek by a number of hands, including the name ‘Ioannes’.

History

Origin: The upper text was probably copied in the 15th or 16th century, as suggested by the style of script.

Part 2: lower text [Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.9.27, f. i]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

5. f. i recto-i verso (lower text)
Gospel lectionary

Fragment: legible text begins at Mk 1:38 (second Saturday of Lent); ends at Mk 2:12 (second Sunday of Lent)

Gregory-Aland l 2484

Incipit: f. i verso (lower text) χομεν<⟨ας κωμοπολεις⟩> ινα κ<⟨αι ε⟩>κει
Explicit: f. i verso (lower text) ωστε <⟨ε⟩>ξιστασθαι παντας και δ<⟨οξαζειν⟩>

TLG 0031.002

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Parchment
Extent: f. i 265 × 169 mm.

Collation

This part consists of a single folio used as an endleaf.

Condition

There is significant pest damage to the folio, creasing and water staining.

Layout

f. i recto-i verso (lower text) A single column of 39 lines, rotated 180 degrees relative to the upper text. The dimensions given are approximated, as the fragile condition of the manuscript did not permit a full examination. c. 135 Ruled in hardpoint, type Leroy 20E2. Text hangs from the lines.

Hand(s)

f. i recto-i verso (lower text) was copied by Hand B in mixed minuscule script, in brown ink.

Decoration

f. i recto-i verso (lower text) The beginning of sections is marked by minor initials in red ink.

History

Origin: The limited legibility of the lower text does not permit an effective dating of the script.

Part 3 [Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.9.27, ff. 1-63]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

3. ff. 1r-5v, line 32, scholia on ff. 5v, line 33-f. 63v
Ioannes Tzetzes, Scholia on Hesiod, Works and Days

Defective at the end

Rubric: f. 1r Ἰωάννου γραμματέως τοῦ Τζέτζου ἐξήγησις τῆς βίβλου τῶν ἔργων καὶ ἡμέρων Ἡσιόδου:- Στίχοι ἰαμβικοὶ δωρικοὶ πρὸς Πρόκλον τὸν πρὶν ἐξηγησάμενον τὸν Ἡσίοδον, λέγοντας τὰς μούσας ἔνατα Ἑλικῶνι ἐπιβεβηκυίας χορεύειν ταῖς σφαίραις, θʹ οὔσαν καὶ εἰς τὸ αὐτοῦ ἔν τισι κομπηρὸν καὶ ἀσαφές
Incipit: f. 1r Ἐκ τῶν προκλικῶν κρημνογράφων[sic] ῥημάτων, ἡ βίβλος εἶχε κυκεῶν καὶ ζάλην
Explicit: f. 63v μὴ ἐν θυσίαις θεῶν τυχὴν, μωμοσκόπει τὰ μυστηρία||

TLG 5025.002

4. ff. 5v, line 33-f. 63v, line 3
Hesiod, Works and Days Opera et dies
Filiation: West places this copy of this text in family Φ, and identifies the principal scribe as the same as the one responsible for another manuscript of the same content, Vatican, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, MS Vat. gr. 2383.

Defective at the end: ends at line 760

Incipit: f. 5v Μοῦσαι Πιερίηθεν ἀοιδῇσι κλείουσαι
Explicit: f. 63v ὧδ’ ἔρδειν· δεινὴν δὲ βροτῶν ὑπαλεύεο φήμην||

TLG 0020.002

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 1r-38v, 40r-63v Parchment (FHHF)
Extent: ff. 1r-38v, 40r-63v 265 × 185 mm.

Collation

This part consists of eight quires, all quaternia.

This collation is provisionasl. It is based on digital images, since the fragile condition of the manuscript did not permit a full examination.

  • Quires 1-48 ff. 1r-32v
  • Quire 58-2+1 ff. 33-39 The seventh and eighth folios have been lost and replaced by a substitute folio (f. 39), described in Part IV.
  • Quires 6-88 ff. 40-63

Condition

There are losses from the lower outer corner throughout, and from the head of some folios. There are extensive brown stains, obscuring the text, on ff. 1v-2r and 16v, areas of dirt, mild water staining and significant cockling.

Layout

ff. 1r-38v, 40r-63v A single column of 17-33 lines, composed of a variable number of lines of verse with interlinear scholia (space having been left for these), together with commentary in continuous text; some pages contain no commentary or only commentary. The dimensions given are approximate, as the fragile condition of the manuscript did not permit a full examination. c. 205 × c. 120 mm. Pricking survives in the outer margin, but much has been lost to cropping. The ruling structure could not be determined, as the fragile condition of the manuscript did not permit a full examination.

Hand(s)

ff. 1r-38v and 40r-63v were copied by Hand C in mixed minuscule script with Fettaugen characteristics, slanting to the right, in brown ink, with significant variation in letter size.

Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear throughout the line. Breathings are round, and mute iota is subscript or 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 abbreviations.

The modern eta is in use.

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

Decoration

On f. 44v the text (here describing the making of tools) is illustrated with a miniature comprising several tools and a diagrammatic representation of a wagon.

The beginning of the text on f. 1r is preceded by a rectangular headpiece in red and black ink, decorated with two animal forms.

The text of Hesiod begins on f. 5v with an initial in red ink. Commentary on f. 6r begins with a highly ornamented initial in black ink.

The beginning of a section on f. 3r is marked by a simple minor initial in red ink.

Additions

On f. 1r is a note recording ownership of the manuscript by Cardinal Domenico Grimani (1460-1523): ‘Liber Dominici Grimani Cardinalis Sancti Marci’.

There are marginal notes by various hands, in Greek (e.g. ff. 1v-2r 6v, 17v) and Latin (e.g. ff. 9v, 35v). Interlinear Latin glosses also appear in places (e.g. ff. 49v-52v).

History

Origin: The main body of the manuscript was probably copied in the second half of the 13th century, as suggested by the style of script.

Part 4 [Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.9.27, f. 39]

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: f. 39r-39v Parchment
Extent: f. 39r-39v 265 × 185 mm.

Collation

This part consists of a single replacement folio inserted into Quire 5.

Condition

There is cockling, mild water staining and areas of dirt.

Layout

f. 39r-39v (upper text) A single column of 18 lines. The dimensions given are approximate, as the fragile condition of the manuscript did not permit a full examination. c. 187 × c. 112 mm. Pricking does not survive. The ruling structure could not be determined, as the fragile condition of the manuscript did not permit a full examination.

Hand(s)

f. 39r-39v (upper text) was copied by Hand D in mixed minuscule script, slanting to the right, in brown ink, with significant variation in letter size.

Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings appear only at the end of lines. Breathings are round and mute iota is subscript or absent. Single dots appear above iota. Accents are sometimes joined to letters, breathings and abbreviations.

The modern eta is in use.

Punctuation used includes the lower and middle points and lower and middle commas.

Additions

There are Latin marginal notes and interlinear glosses on f. 39r-39v and a manicule on f. 39r.

History

Origin: The upper text of this folio was copied and inserted to substitute losses, probably in the 14th century, as suggested by the style of script.

Part 5 [Cambridge, Trinity College, MS O.9.27, f. 39]

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: f. 39r-39v Parchment
Extent: f. 39r-39v 265 × 185 mm.

Collation

This part consists of a single replacement folio inserted into Quire 5.

Condition

There is cockling, mild water staining and areas of dirt.

Layout

f. 39r-39v (lower text) A single column of 39 lines. The dimensions given are approximated, as the fragile condition of the manuscript did not permit a full examination. c. 215 × c. 145 mm. Pricking does not survive. The ruling structure could not be determined, as the fragile condition of the manuscript did not permit a full examination.

Hand(s)

f. 39r-39v (lower text) was copied by Hand E in mixed minuscule script in brown ink, with little variation in letter size.

History

Origin: The limited legibility of the lower text does not permit an effective dating of the 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 western manuscripts in the library of Trinity College: a descriptive catalogue, James, M.R. (Cambridge, 1, Cambridge University Press, 1900) The Medieval Manuscripts of the Works and Days The Classical Quarterly, West, M. L. (24, 161-185, 1974) Der Hesiodpflug Philologus, Kothe, Heinz (119, 1-26, 1975) Le livre grec en Italie méridionale sous les règnes normand et souabe: aspects matériels et sociaux Scrittura e Civiltà, Canart, Paul (2, 103-162, 1978) Hand-list of the Greek palimpsests in Cambridge libraries I manoscritti greci tra riflessione e dibattito: Atti del V Colloquio Internazionale di Paleografia Greca (Cremona 4-10 ottobre 1998) Papyrologica Florentina, Tchernetska, Natalie (Florence, 733-739, Edizioni Gonnelli, 2000) Il repertorio dei codici greci salentini di Oronzo Mazzotta. Aggiornamenti e integrazioni Tracce di storia. Studi in onore di monsignor Oronzo Mazzotta, Arnesano, Daniele (Galatina, 25-80, Società di Storia Patria. Sezione di Lecce, 2005) La minuscola barocca : scritture e libri in Terra d'Otranto nei secoli XIII e XIV, Arnesano, Daniele (Galatina, M. Congedo, 2008) Libri inutiles in Terra d'Otranto. Modalità di piegatura di bifogli nella realizzazione del Laur. 87.21 Libri Palinsesti Greci: Conservazione, Restauro Digitale, Studio. Atti del Convegno Internazionale, Arnesano, Daniele (Rome, Comitato Nazionale per la celebrazione del Millenario della Fondazione dell'Abbazia di S. Nilo a Grottaferata, 2008) A List of the Greek MSS of Domenico Grimani Scriptorium, Jackson, Donald F. (62, 164-169, 2008) Digital Palimpsests: Mark in Trinity College Cambridge MS. O.9.27 Open Theology, Batovici, Dan (5, 107-115, 2019)

Funding of Cataloguing

The Polonsky Foundation

Digital Images

Cambridge Digital Library

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