Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries: Cambridge, University Library, MS Add. 1880.6

Diktyon no.: Diktyon 12088

Introduction: This fragment is a quire containing a brief extract from the Byzantine Lexicon of Pseudo-Zonaras, also known as Lexicon Tittmannianum according to the editor, J.A.H. Tittmann (1808). The actual authorship of this glossary is unknown, but it was traditionally ascribed to the 12th-century Byzantine historian John Zonaras . The arrangement of the glosses is alphabetical, by the first two letters, and later on according to grammatical gender and categories. The fragment bears masculine words only, and the beginning is repeated four times. The fragment was acquired by Constantin von Tischendorf and bought from his heirs by Cambridge University Library in 1876.

Language(s): Greek

Pseudo-Zonaras , Lexicon

Incipit: f. 1r ⟨ἄ⟩απτος· ὁ ἀπροσπέλαστος· παρὰ τὸ ἅπτω ἅπτος καὶ ἄαπτος

Explicit: f. 9v συγκαταβαίνειν δυναμένοις προδήλως νικᾶν. ἀμφίδυμοι. πανταχόθεν||

f. 1v: απτος· ὁ ἀπροσ[sic]; ff. 2r-v: ⟨ἄ⟩απτος-⟨ἀ⟩γαθός; ff. 3r-v: ⟨ἄ⟩απτος-⟨ἀ⟩βροείμονες

ed. Johann A.H. Tittmann, Iohannis Zonarae lexicon: ex tribus codicibus manuscriptis, Leipzig 1808

Physical Description

Form: codex

Support: ff. 1r-9v paper, folded in quarto. Watermark: hand with a star o flower ( 92 × 30 mm. ) in the gutter, similar to Briquet 10727. This example is dated to 1497.

Extent: Fragment (quire) 9 leaves. 219 × 154 mm.

Foliation: The bifolium is foliated with the numbers 1-9, in Arabic numerals, in pencil, recto, upper right.

Collation

Ff. 3/8, 4/7, and 5/6 are coniugate, 1, 2, 9 single folios pasted on.

Condition

There are extensive water and brown stains on the lower margin. The fragment is now sewn into a white paper cover.

Layout

One columns of 18-28 lines. 150 × 90 mm.

Hand(s)

The text was copied in an scholarly, small-format mixed minuscule script, in dark brown ink. Slanting slightly to the right, this hand shows cursive-like ductus without marked variation in letter size. Beta is present in the bilobate and modern forms; tau is often ligated to the preceding letter and tall. The sigma telikon is present, the letters are often separated and easily recognizable. 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. An empty space is left for lemma initials, never executed.

Decoration

One rope motif frieze on f. 2r, outlined in black ink.

Additions

A modern hand has added the classmark and "T.17" on the upper margin.

Binding

The fragment is sewn into a white paper cover.

History

Origin: The style of script and the watermark suggest that the fragment was written in late 15th or early 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: 320, 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

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. 1880.6

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