Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries: Cambridge, University Library, MS Add. 1880.4

Diktyon no.: Diktyon 77978

Introduction: This fragment consists of a single folio, probably extracted from the binding of a Latin manuscript codex. One side, now the verso, contains several Greek texts: two epigrams (the first attributed to Posidippus of Pella, the second Metrodorus' reply), the two Antistoicheiae by Maximus Planudes, followed by an extract from the sayings of the Seven Sages. The other side, now the recto, contains some psalms in Latin. The outer third has a slip of another leaf of the same manuscript, stuck on it upside down. The fragment was acquired by Constantin von Tischendorf and bought from his heirs by Cambridge University Library in 1876. Dr Matteo Di Franco

Language(s): Greek and Latin

1. f. [1]r

Fragment of Psalms 25 (24)-27 (26)

Incipit: || f. [1]r ut manifestet oculi mei semper ad Dominum

Explicit: f. [1]r Exquirite faciem meam. faciem tuam, Domine||

2. f. [1]v

Posidippus, of Pella, approximately 310 B.C.-approximately 240 B.C. , Epigram (Anth. Graeca ix, 359)

Rubric: Not legible

Incipit: f. [1]v ⟨ Ποίην⟩ τις βιότοιο τάμοι τρίβον εἰν ἀγορᾷ μὲν, νείκεα καὶ χαλεπαὶ πρήξιες ἐν δὲ δόμοις, φροντίδες

Explicit: f. [1]v ἦν ἄρα τοῖν δοιοῖν ἑνὸς αἵρεσις· ἢ τὸ γενέσθαι μηδέποτε, ἢ τὸ θανεῖν, αὐτίκα τικτόμενον

TLG 7000.001

3. f. [1]v

Metrodorus, Epigram (Anth. Graeca ix, 360)

Rubric: f. [1]v Τοῦ αὐτοῦ ἐπαινοῦντος τὸν βίον

Incipit: f. [1]v Παντοίην βιότοιο τάμοις τρίβον. εἰν ἀγορᾷ μὲν κύδεα καὶ πινυταὶ πρήξιες

Explicit: f. [1]v οὐκ ἄρα τῶν δισσῶν ἑνὸς αἵρεσις, ἢ τὸ γενέσθαι μηδέποτε ἢ τοῦ θανεῖν αὐτίκα τικτόμενον· πάντα γὰρ ἐσθλὰ βίου

TLG 7000.001

4. f. [1]v

Planudes, Maximus, approximately 1260-approximately 1310 , Antistoicheiae I-II

Rubric: f. [1]v Τοῦ σοφωτάτου κυρίου Μαξίμου Πλανούδη

Incipit: f. [1]v Ἐρήμην ποτὲ καταδικασθεὶς ἐπὶ τὸν δικαστὴν ἤειν καὶ οὐχ εὗρον ὅν ἂν ἐροίμην

Explicit: f. [1]v ἐπὶ Ῥώμην ὁδὸς· ὡς δὲ ἠκηκόειν, ἀμετεστρεπτὸς ὥδευον

Ed. M. Treu, Antistoichien, in Byzantinische Zeitschrift 5 (1896), pp. 337-338

5. f. [1]v

Sayings of the Seven Sages

Rubric: f. [1]v Τὰ χρυσὰ ἔπη τοῦ Πυθαγόρου

Incipit: f. [1]v Ἕπου θεῶ· Θεὸν σέβου· Ὅρα τὸ μέλλον· πάντα φυλάττου

Explicit: f. [1]v Ἐπὶ νεκρῶ μὴ γέλα· Φίλοις χρῶ· Μὴ φιλαίτιος ἴσθι· Χρόνου μὴ φείδου

TLG 1667.005

Physical Description

Form: sheet

Support: f. [1]r paper, folded in quarto. No watermark is visible.

Extent: Fragment (leaf) 1 leaves. 292 × 209 mm.

Condition

A portion of another folio has been stuck on top of the folio. There are water and brown stains and large tears on the leaf. The fragment is now sewn into a white paper cover.

Layout

One column; 31 lines. 175 × 168 mm.

Hand(s)

The Latin text is written by an Italian hand of the 15th century.

The Greek text was copied in a small-format cursive-like mixed minuscule script, slanting slightly to the right, in brown and red ink. It does not show any marked variation in letter size, but for beta, present in the bilobate and modern forms, and epsilon. Delta is outlined in two strokes, elongated upwards, ending with a cap. Breathings are curved; accents do not join to letters or breathings, but the circumflex is traced in a single gesture together with the ypsilon or omega.

Decoration

Four enlarged initials in red ink in uncial majuscule.

Additions

The numbers of Psalms were added in pencil on f. [1]r. The current classmark and former classmark "T.33" have been added in the upper margin on the verso.

Binding

The fragment has a modern card binding reinforced with cloth inside the spine.

History

Origin: The style of script of the Greek text suggests that it was written in the 16th century.

Provenance and Acquisition

Owned by the Biblical scholar Constantin von Tischendorf (1815-1874) .

Bought by the University Library from Tischendorf's executors in 1876.

Additional Information

Record Sources

P. Easterling, Hand-list of the additional Greek manuscripts in the University Library, Cambridge, in: Scriptorium 16, 1962, pp. 302-323: 321, and unpublished 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

Hand-list of the additional Greek manuscripts in the University Library, Cambridge Scriptorium, Easterling, Patricia E. (16, 2, 302-323, 1962)

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, University Library, MS Add. 1880.4

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