Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries

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

Cambridge, University Library, MS Add. 1732

Diktyon no.: 12058

Contents

Introduction: This manuscript is a collection of natural philosophy treatises by the philosopher Aristotle: On the Heavens, On Generation and Corruption, Meteorology, Generation of Animals, and On Colors (the last is sometimes ascribed to Theophrastus or Strato of Lampsacus). The manuscript was copied by five early 14th-century scribes; a sixth hand (Hand F) intervened a century later, copying ff. 140r-141r, and has been identified as Demetrius Castrenus. Harlfinger 1977, p. 132-133 lists it in a group of Aristotelian manuscripts copied in Constantinople at the beginning of the 14th century, linked by the presence of the scribe who copied ff. 4r-73v (Hand B) in the CUL manuscript. The other manuscripts are:
  • Vatican City, Bibliotheca Apostolica Vaticana, Vaticanus gr. 253
  • Vat. gr. 258 (part 1 and part 2), ff. 1r-18r, 157r and maybe 18v-68v
  • Vat. gr. 1950, ff. 280r-399r, 401r-404v, 408r-540v
  • and probably also Vat. gr. 92 and Pal. gr. 260
Vat. gr. 258, furthermore, bears at f. 325v the monocondylon of Iohannes Bardales (PLP 2182, cf. RGK III 296), known as the correspondent of Maximus Planudes. It is therefore possible that Add. 1732 also comes from the same milieu. There are traces of signatures in Greek numerals from α to λα, partially preserved and probably original to the production of the manuscript. Quires 15, 16 and 20 have another signature series for some supplementary purpose. On the basis of the partially preserved signatures, it seems reasonable to think that the original quire 15 (ιε) was replaced by the two quires now found in the manuscript: quires 15 (ff. 114r-115v) and 16 (ff. 116r-123v) bear the signature ιε in a different position from the other quires; quire 17 (ff. 124r-131v) has the signature ιϛ, consistent with the original series, and quires 16 and 17 also have a supplementary signature (α in red ink on f. 116r and β in black ink on f. 131v), to state the appropriate order after correction. Quire 19 (ff. 140r-[143]v, κ in the series of signatures) has been lost and Demetrius Castrenus has made up for the loss. Quire 20 (ff. 144r-151v) is marked as κα and bears a supplementary signature α. The last folio contains three lines of a syllogistic scheme ascribed to Michael Psellus (11th century). Dr Matteo Di Franco

Language(s): Greek

1. ff. 2r-54r
Aristotle, On the Heavens De caelo
Rubric: f. 2r Ἀριστοτέλους περὶ οὐρανοῦ λόγος πρῶτος
Incipit: f. 2r Ἡ περὶ φύσεως ἐπιστήμη σχεδὸν ἡ πλείστη, φαίνεται περί τε σώματα καὶ μεγέθη· καὶ τὰ τούτων οὖσα πάθη καὶ τὰς κινήσεις
Explicit: f. 54r περὶ μὲν οὖν βαρέος καὶ κούφου καὶ τῶν περὶ αὐτὰ συμβεβηκότων διωρίσθω τοῦτον ἡμῖν τὸν τρόπον
Final rubric: f. 54r Ἀριστοτέλους περὶ οὐρανοῦ τέταρτον

  • Book 1: ff. 2r-20v
  • Book 2: ff. 20v-37r
  • Book 3: ff. 37v-47v
  • Book 4: ff. 47v-54r

TLG 0086.005

2. ff. 54r-83r
Aristotle, On Generation and Corruption De generatione et corruptione
Rubric: f. 54r Ἀριστοτέλους περὶ γενέσεως καὶ φθορᾶς αʹ
Incipit: f. 54r Περὶ δὲ γενέσεως καὶ φθορᾶς τῶν φύσει γενομένων καὶ φθειρομένων, ὁμοίως κατὰ πάντων
Explicit: f. 83r εἰ δὲ καὶ ταῦτα ἀριθμῶ, ἀλλ’ οὐχ ὧν ἡ οὐσία γίνεται οὖσα τοιαύτη οἵα ἐνδέχεσθαι μὴ εἶναι

  • Book 1: ff. 54r-72v
  • Book 2: ff. 72v-83r

TLG 0086.013

3. ff. 83r-132v
Aristotle, Meteorology Meteorologica
Rubric: f. 83r Ἀριστοτέλους μετεωρολογικῶν πρῶτον
Incipit: f. 83r Περὶ μὲν οὖν τῶν πρώτων αἰτίων τῆς φύσεως· καὶ περὶ πάσης κινήσεως φυσικῆς
Explicit: f. 132v καὶ τέλος τὰ ἐκ τούτων συνεστῶτα· οἷον ἀν(θρώπ)ων φυτῶν, καὶ τἆλλα τὰ τοιαῦτα

  • Book 1: ff. 83r-97v
  • Book 2: ff. 98r-132v

TLG 0086.026

4. ff. 132v-141r
Aristotle, On Colors De coloribus
Rubric: f. 132v περὶ χρωμάτων
Incipit: f. 132v Ἁπλᾶ τῶν χρωμάτων ἐστὶν ὅσα τοῖς στοιχείοις συνακολουθεῖ· οἷον πυρὶ καὶ ἀέρι καὶ ὕδατι καὶ γῆ
Explicit: f. 141r τὴν μὲν οὖν περὶ τὰ χρώματα θεωρίαν, μάλιστ’ ἄν τις ἐκ τῶν εἰρημένων δύναιτο συνιδεῖν

TLG 0086.007

sometimes ascribed to Theophrastus or Straton of Lampsacus

ff. 141v-[143]v blank

5. ff. 144r-229r
Aristotle, Generation of Animals (ends at 788b33) De generatione animalium
Rubric: f. 144r Ἀριστοτέλους περὶ γενέσεως ζώων, πρῶτον
Incipit: f. 144r Ἐπεὶ δὲ περὶ τῶν ἄλλων μορίων εἴρηται τῶν ἐν τοῖς ζώοις· καὶ κοινῆ καὶ καθ’ ἕκαστον γένος περὶ τῶν ἰδίων χωρίς
Explicit: f. 229r πρότερον γάρ ἐστι τοῦ λεᾶναι τὸ διελεῖν· εἰσὶ δ’ ἐκεῖνοι μὲν ἐπὶ το[sic] λεαίνειν οὗτοι δ’ ἐπὶ τὸ διαιρεῖν· ἔπειθ’ ὅτι τὸ ἔλατ[sic] ||

  • Book 1: ff. 144r-163r
  • Book 2: ff. 163r-184r
  • Book 3: ff. 184r-201v
  • Book 4: ff. 201v-218r
  • Book 5: ff. 218r-229r

TLG 0086.012

6. f. 229v
Syllogistic scheme
Incipit: f. 229v γράμματα· ἔγραψε· γραφίδι· τεχνικὸς ἔγραψε· κάτεχε μέτρον· ἄχολον· ἅπασι· σθεναρός· ἰσάκις· ἀσπίδι· ὁμαλός φέριστος

cf. TLG 2702.010

the notes above the vowels indicate the quantity and quality of the propositions: π = πᾶς, ουδ = οὐδείς, τι = τίς, ουπ = οὐ πᾶς. The scheme has been ascribed to Michael Psellus , ed. J. Duffy 1992, Michaelis Pselli Philosophica Minora, vol. 1, Opuscula Logica, Physica, Allegorica, Alia , Opusc. 53, p. 237, cf. M. Cacouros, 'Un manuel de logique organisé par Jean Chortasménos et destiné à l'enseignement (catalogage du manuscrit)', in Revue des études byzantines, 54 (1996), pp. 67-106 (pp. 99-106) (on Leuven, KU Leuven Libraries, Special Collections, ms. FDWM 1 ), and P. Moore 2005, Iter Psellianum , [742] PHI. 19, p. 247-248

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Paper, folded in octavo. Watermark: Key ( 93 × 36 mm. ) in the gutter ff. 10-49, comparable to Briquet 3778 , dated 1312; Letters FANA with countermark G ( 92 × 30 mm. ) in the gutter ff. 50-73, comparable to Briquet 9389 , dated 1312; Unidentified ( 15 × 31 mm. ) in the gutter ff. 74-74, consisting of two pairs of circles at the ends of a line; Letter C (?) ( 13 × 19 mm. ) in the gutter ff. 82-97, 106-113, 132-139, 192-229, comparable to Mošin-Traljić 5191 , dated 1305-1307; Nail (?) ( 28 × 44 mm. ) in the gutter ff. 98 and 105, comparable to Mošin-Traljić 3055 , dated 1306-1340; Crown ( 25 × 45 mm. ) in the gutter ff. 140-143, comparable to Briquet 4708 , dated 1413.
Extent: Codex: i + 229 leaves., 224 × 150 mm.
Foliation: 1-141, [142-143], 144-229. Foliated in pencil in Arabic numerals in the upper right-hand corner, recto, from the parchment endleaf.

Collation

The manuscript consists of 27 quaternions, one bifolium and one binion:

  • Endleaf f. 1r-1v
  • Quires 1-148 ff. 2r-113v
  • Quire 152 ff. 114r-115v
  • Quires 16-188 ff. 116r-139v
  • Quire 194 ff. 140r-[143]v
  • Quires 20-298 ff. 144r-223v
  • Quire 308-2 ff. 224r-229v

Traces of signatures in Greek numerals in brown ink probably original to the production of the manuscript, from α (f. 2r) to λα (f. 225r), preserved mainly on first rectos, lower left-hand corner: ff. 2r (α), 66r (θ, on upper left-hand corner), 74r (ι), 114r (ιε on upper right-hand corner) and 123v (ιε, on this see summary above) 124r (ιϛ), 132r (ι⟨ζ⟩, repeated on upper left-hand corner), 144r (κα on upper left-hand corner) and 151v (κα), 152r (κβ), 160r (κγ on upper left-hand corner), 168r (κδ on upper left-hand corner), 176r (κε, repeated on upper left-hand corner), 184r (κϛ, repeated on upper left-hand corner), 192r (κζ, from here on only on upper left-hand corner), 200r (κη), 208r (κθ), 224r (λα).

Quires 16 and 17 bear a supplementary signature on lower left-hand corner: α in red ink on f. 116r, β in black ink on f. 131v; quire 20 bears another supplementary signature α on lower left-hand corner of f. 144r along with κα on upper left-hand corner.

A recent quire signature in Arabic numerals in pencil on the firs recto, lower right-hand corner from f. 2r (1) to f. 225r (30), by the same hand as the foliation, probably Henry Bradshaw

Condition

Left board and endleaf (f. 1) are detached. Traces of moisture, stains and some wormholes are present.

Layout

ff. 2r-229r: written space 165-190 × 95-110 mm. 25-33 lines per page

Hand(s)

Hand A: ff. 2r-4r, l. 7, 74r-92v.

The text by Hand A is written in a scribal mixed minuscule script, upright or slanting slightly to the right, in faded black ink. There is only moderate variation in letter size.

The use of majuscules is extensive and the letters are mostly detached.

Syllabic abbreviations and superscription are not limited to the ends of lines, but present also in mid-line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent.

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

Hand B: ff. 4r, l. 7-73v, 7r-73v.

The text by Hand B is written in a scribal mixed minuscule script, slanting slightly to the right, in black ink.

The ductus is faster, the letters are mostly isolated but the ligatures are extensively in use. Beta is enlarged and psi in cross-shape.

Syllabic abbreviations and superscription are present in mid-line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent.

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

Hand C: ff. 93r-97v, 106r-115v, 144r-229r.

The text by Hand C is written in a scribal mixed minuscule script, mostly upright , in black ink.

Circular shapes are emphasized. Syllabic abbreviations and superscription are present in mid-line. Breathings are round and mute iota is absent.

Hand D: ff. 98r-105v.

The text by Hand D is written in a scribal mixed minuscule script, mostly upright , in black ink and red ink for initials.

As for Hand C, circula shapes are emphasized but the appearance is more rigid and dense.

Hand E: ff. 116r-139v.

The text by Hand E is written in a scribal mixed minuscule script, mostly upright, in black ink and red ink for initials.

Breathings are round and ligated to the accents and mute iota is absent.

Hand F: Demetrios Castrenos ff. 140r-141r.

Known as Anonymus 7 or ου-π (D. Harlfinger 1971, p. 418 and D. Harlfinger 1974, Specimena der griechischer Kopisten der Renaissance, I, Griechen del 15. Jahrhunderts, Berlin, Verlag Nikolaus Mielke, p. 31 and pl. 68), the copyist was recently identified by D. Speranzi (2015, "Su due codici greci filelfiani e un loro lettore (con alcune osservazioni sullo Strabone Ambr. G 93 sup.)", in Philelfiana. Nuove prospettive di ricerca sulla figura di Francesco Filelfo. Atti del seminario di studi (Macerata, 6-7 novembre 2013), Quaderni di Rinascimento 51, Firenze, Leo S. Olschki, p. 83-117) with Demetrios Castrenos (PLP 11393).

Occasional addition on f. 229v by a reader in an informal mixed minuscule script in brown ink.

Decoration

Headpieces, often in cord motif, colored in red on ff. 2r, 20v, 37v, 47v, 54r and 83r, in purple on f. 73v, in black on f. 144r, 163r, 184r, 201v and 218r.

The thick red-ink major initials are presented on the same folios as the headpieces.

Minor initials written in a thin red-ink uncial within the body of the text copied by Hand D and E.

Additions

f. 2r: classmark added in black ink on upper margin, donor's name and date in pencil on lower margin (see Aquisition for further details).

Binding

Wooden boards, covered with very heavily worn leather; faintly visible pattern on front and back cover, consisting of a square with diagonals. The left board is detached, the spine is completely lost, the headband is partially lost. On the left board there are three sets of three nails on the face of the board at the middle of each edge. On the right board remains a single metal catchplate on the outer face at the foredge, remnants of two other catchplates at the head and tail edges.

The first pastedown and flyleaf are of parchment, taken from an 15th-cent. account roll in Italian; the endleaf and pastedown are also of parchment, taken from a Latin liturgical text, Office of St. Sixtus and Laurentius (12th cent.?).

The outer and inner bifolia of each quire have been reinforced with glued parchment, before the date of binding. The first quire has every bifolium reinforced.

On the left board, the list of contents remains partially legible, along with ‘Sinai’.

240 × 166 × 66 mm.

Accompanying Material

Coloured thread serving as page marker kept between ff. 84-85 and 206-207.

History

Origin: The style of scripts and watermarks suggest that the manuscript was written in the early 14th century. The connection with other Aristotle manuscripts (see Summary) suggests that the manuscript was produced in Constantinople. ff. 140r-141r were written in the first half of 15th century.

Provenance and Acquisition

The manuscript was bought for Cambridge University Library on 10 December 1877, as recorded in Acquistion Register of Additional manuscripts, from Miss Caroline Asby , with money from the fund established by Tobias Rustat (d. 1694) . It came to the Library on 30 January 1878, as noted on f. 2r: ‘Asby Jan 30, 1878 Rustat’.

Additional Information

Record Sources

Description based on P. Easterling, Hand-list of the additional Greek manuscripts in the University Library, Cambridge, in: Scriptorium 16, 1962, pp. 302-323: 320, J. Wiesner's record in P. Moraux, Aristoteles Graecus, Walter De Gruyter, Berlin-New York, 1976, pp. 107-109, and unpublised description by R.V. Kerr, Under-Librarian of CUL († 1987).

Availability

Entry to read in the Library is permitted only on presentation of a valid reader's card. For information on eligibility and admissions procedures, see Joining the Library). For further enquiries, and to confirm the availability of the manuscript, please contact the Special Collections Reading Room.

Bibliography

    Die Textgeschichte der Pseudo-Aristotelischen Schrift Peri Atomōn Grammōn: ein kodikologisch- kulturgeschichtlicher Beitrag zur Klärung der Überlieferungsverhältnisse im Corpus Aristotelicum, Harlfinger, Dieter (Amsterdan, Hakkert, 1971) Aristoteles Graecus: die griechischen Manuskripte des Aristoteles, Moraux, Paul (Berlin, De Gruyter, 1976) Zu griechischen Kopisten und Schriftstilen des 15. und 16. Jahrhunderts La Paléographie grecque et byzantine. Paris, 21-25 octobre 1974 Colloques Internationaux du C.N.R.S., Harlfinger, Dieter (Paris, 327-362, Editions du Centre national de la recherche scientifique, 1977) Inventaire des manuscrits grecs d'Aristote et de ses commentateurs: contribution à l'histoire du texte d'Aristote. Supplément, Argyropoulou, Rōxanē D.Karas, Giannēs (Paris, Belles Lettres, 1980) La ‘escuela de Planudes’: Notas paleográficas a una publicación reciente sobre los escolios euripideos Byzantinische Zeitschrift, Perez Martin, Inmaculada (90, 73-96, 1997) Die Überlieferungsgeschichte der aristotelischen Schrift <hi rend="italics">De generatione et corruptione</hi>, Rashed, Marwan (Wiesbaden, Reichert, 2001) I manoscritti della Συναγωγή planudea Studi classici e orientali, Ferroni, L. (57, 327-353, 2011) Maximi Planudis e Platonis Dialogis Compendia, (Bologna, Pàtron editore, 2015) La version α du livre VII de la <hi rend="italics">Physique</hi> d'Aristote et son rapport aux familles byzantines a et b Elenchos, Boureau, M. (39, 99-148, 2018)

Funding of Cataloguing

The Polonsky Foundation

Digital Images

Cambridge Digital Library

Abbreviations

View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.

Study at Cambridge

About the University

Research at Cambridge