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. 7872

Diktyon no.: Diktyon 76361

Contents

Introduction: This fragment is a single folio of a palimpsest manuscript containing originally a copy of the Iliad of Homer in majuscule, overwritten with a text of John Chrysostom. The lower text dates to the 5th century, and the upper text, in two columns following the lines, to the second half of 10th century. The lower text runs in a single column in the same direction as the upper text, starting from the same limit line. The extension of the Homeric lines, being cut off, suggests that the width of the original codex measured not less than 30 mm more. The large size of the written space may suggest that the original manuscript was a large, splendid book, although the script in this fragment looks rather careless when compared to other extant manuscripts of classical authors from the same period. This Palimpsest of Homer and John Chrysostom might be the only one in which Homer has been replaced by the Church Father. Dr Matteo Di Franco

Language(s): Greek

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Parchment, of medium thickness and quality.
Extent: Fragment (leaf) 1 leaves. 346 × 226 mm.
Foliation: Not foliatiated

Condition

A round-shaped portion has been cut away from the lower margin. The parchment is covered in mould and in extensive blue staining, corresponding to the last seven lines of recto and almost the whole of the verso. It may be evidence of the use of a reagent on the leaf.

Additions

The fragment is marked with the current classmark on the recto and in the upper margin in pencil: ‘Ilias 17. 214’.

Binding

The fragment is housed in melinex.

Accompanying Material

The fragment is kept with two accompanying folders: the first containing the transcriptions of upper and lower texts by Richard V. Kerr (1920-1987), under-librarian 1963-1982, an exhibition label in the hand of Jill Richardson of the Library staff, and a note on the contents of the folder; the second containing two negatives and two photographs housed in melinex.

History

Provenance and Acquisition

Purchased by the University Library on December 5th, 1969 from G. David, bookseller. Previous provenance is unknown.

Part 1 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Add. 7872, lower text]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

1. ff. 1r-1v
Homer, Iliad, Book 17, 214-271 Ilias Ρ 214-271
Incipit: || f. 1r ⟨τεύχεσι⟩ λαμπόμενος μεγαθύμου ⟨Πηλεΐωνος⟩ ⟨ὄτρυνεν⟩ δ' ἕκαστον ἐποιχ⟨όμενος⟩ ἐπέεσσι
Explicit: f. 1v χεῦ’ ἐπ⟨εὶ⟩ οὐδὲ Μενοιτιάδην ἤχθε⟨ιρ⟩ε ⟨πάρος γε⟩ ὄφρα ⟨ζω⟩ὸς ἐὼν θερ⟨άπ⟩ων ἦν ⟨Αἰ⟩ακ⟨ίδαο⟩ ||

TLG 0012.001

Physical Description

Form: codex

Layout

A single column of 29 surviving lines, parallel to the upper text, cut off at the external margin. 223 × 192 mm. Pricking does not survive. Ruling does not survive.

Hand(s)

The lower text was copied by Hand A, in a Biblical majuscule script, upright or slanting slightly to the left, without constrast between vertical and horizontal strokes.

Alpha has a round soft loop, delta is triangular, arms of kappaare attached to vertical stroke, my and omega are broad, the horizontal stroke of pi is prolonged over the vertical ones.

History

Origin: The original manuscript from which this leaf comes was probably copied in the 5th century, as suggested by the style of script.

Part 2 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Add. 7872, upper text]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

2. ff. 1r-1v
John Chrysostom, In illud: In faciem ei restiti
Incipit: || f. 1r μόνον, ἀλλὰ καὶ πᾶσαν ὁμοῦ τὴν οἰκονομίαν
Explicit: f. 1v σκόπει τὴν ἀκρίβειαν καὶ τὴν σύνεσιν· ἐπειδὴ γὰρ τότε ἁπλῶς||

PG 51,375 line 58 - 376 lin. 48

CPG 4391

TLG 2062.084

Physical Description

Form: codex

Layout

Two columns of 30 lines. 230 × 133 mm. Pricking survives on margins. Ruled in hardpoint, type Leroy 34c2 . Text hangs from the lines.

Hand(s)

The upper text was copied by Hand B, in an upright minuscule script, in brown ink, with minimal variation in letter size. Ligatures and abbreviations for nomina sacra are present.

Kappa, lambda and ny are frequently in majuscule. Syllabic abbreviations appear througout the line. Breathings and accents are round and not ligated. Mute iota is absent.

Punctuation used includes the upper point and full stop.

History

Origin: The manuscript was probably converted into a palimpsest in the second half of 10th century, as suggested by the style of script.

Additional Information

Record Sources

Description (2020) draws on N. Tchernetska, A Homeric Fragment: Cambridge University Library Add. 7872, in Hyperboreus 7 (2001), p. 72-75.

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

    Codices Chrysostomici Graeci VIII: I: Codices Ancyrae et Constantinopolis II: Addenda et Corrigenda ad volumina I-IV, Barone, Francesca P.Voicu, Sever J. (Paris, CNRS éditions, 2018) A Homeric Fragment: Cambridge University Library Add. 7872 Hyperboreus, Tchernetska, Natalie (7, 72-75, 2001)

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