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 Gg.2.33

Diktyon no.: Diktyon 12191

Contents

Introduction: Manuscript Gg.2.33 is a composite volume comprising various Greek texts on mathematics, astronomy and geography by Ptolemy, Theodore Metochites, Proclus, Archimedes, Euclid, Theon of Alexandria, John Philoponus, Theodore Meliteniotes, Heron of Alexandria, Isaac Argyrus, Agathemerus and Dionysius of Byzantium. It comprises 13 parts, which now appear partly in disorder. The texts were copied by three scribes. The majority of the texts were copied by Nikolaos Sophianos, a Greek scribe, printer, and editor from Corfu, who was active in Rome, in Venice and in other cities in the second quarter of the 16th century. One of the manuscript's parts (part VIII) was copied by Constantinos Mesobotes, active in Padua, Venice and Bologna in the first half of the 16th century (manuscripts by him are dated 1508-1533). While it does not seem that Nikolaos Sophianos and Konstantinos Mesobotes worked together (there are no traces of Sophianos' hand in the part of the manuscript copied by him), Sophianos and an anonymous contemporary (hand B) do seem to have worked together: for instance, they alternate in the copy of Proclus' Hypotyposis and Metochites' second book of the Introduction to Astronomy. Part VI of the manuscript contains the Sketch of Geography by Agathemerus, one of the texts in the corpus of the Minor Greek Geographers. This text was contained in Heidelberg, Universitätsbibliothek, Pal. gr. 398 (a 9th century manuscript), but was lost with the first five quires of the codex; it reached Europe in the 16th century by means of this Cambridge manuscript. In the middle of the 16th century, Nikolaos Sophianos, who copied this part of the manuscript, was sent on missions to acquire manuscripts for the Spanish ambassador in Venice Diego Hurtado de Mendoza. It was probably during his travels that he copied Agathemerus' text from MS Athos, Mone Batopediou, 655 (14th century) on Mount Athos. When Sophianos' manuscript was brought to Italy, 15 copies of the text were produced before 1600 (for more detail, see A. Diller, The tradition of the minor Greek geographers, Lancaster 1952, pp. 15, 17-18). The parts of the manuscript appear to have been preserved for some time unbound, independent from one another, as the condition of their first and last leaves attests: in various cases these leaves are much more damaged than the preceding and following ones, see e.g. the first leaves of part V, f. 112r, or of part VIII, f. 140r. The leaves of part VIII, copied by Konstantinos Mesobotes, seem moreover to have been folded vertically, another proof that this part was kept unbound for some time. Some of the parts by Sophianos are written on a similar or the same paper; nevertheless, their independence is attested, for instance, by the presence of different sequences of signatures written by the scribe. The tradition of the texts, in some cases, attests the independent origin of the parts, which were copied from different exemplars: for instance it is known that part VI was copied from Athos, Mone Batopediou, 655, part V from MS Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, gr. 2360 , one text of part VII from MS Città del Vaticano, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 184 , part XIII from MS Firenze, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, Plut.28.10 . As has been said, the parts of the manuscript are now bound partly in disorder. Part III, which contains Proclus' Hypotyposis astronomicarum positionum, is formed by ff. 65r-82v and 258r-265v. A quire (quire 318, ff. 258r-265v) has been misplaced and bound inside out. The leaves of part XII are not in the right order, due to the loss of the original structure and succession of the quires. The last quire of part XIII (248r-257v, 107r-111) has been misplaced. It is not clear when these changes occurred but it was certainly before the manuscript received its present binding. On the first leaves of the quires survives a numbering from 2°(f. 122r) to 14° (f. 220r) which attests another order of the quires, different from the original one and from the present one as well. While the details remain to be investigated, this is further evidence of the eventful history of this manuscript. Dr Erika Elia

Physical Description

Form: codex
Extent: Codex: 1 + 265 + 1 leaves. 285 × 210 mm.
Foliation: Leaves are foliated in modern pencil in Arabic numerals in the top right-hand corner, recto, [i] + 1-265 + [ii].
Foliation: Passim an earlier pagination, in brown ink, in Arabic numerals, also in the top right hand corner, recto, is visible, see e.g. f. 65r (p. 129), f. 122r (p. 243), f. 132r (p. 263).

Collation

f. [i] | 1-78 | 88 | 910, 108 | 11-138 | 146-1 | 1510 | 1610 | 178 | 18-2110 | 22-238 | 24-258 | 26-278 | 286-1, 2915 | 3010 | 318 | f. [ii]

Condition

In fair condition. Yellow and orange stains are present on the leaves throughout the manuscript, in particular near the edges. There are also water and humidity stains throughout, see e.g. ff. 140r-142v, ff. 170r-171v. The edges of some leaves have tears, see e.g. f. 112r, f. 113r, f. [i] recto. Wormholes near the gutter of ff. 227r-[ii] verso.

Binding

Early modern western binding. Paper and leather (from the spine) on couched-laminate boards, gold tooled leather spine with title ‘Tracts M.S.’, leather labels on spine with shelfmark.

On the left pastedown there is an annotation in black ink, probably by a librarian: ‘ Cambridge University Library MS. Gg.2.33 265 leaves numbered. One flyleaf + one slip of parchment at each end’.

Tailbands partially detached.

298 × 225 × 54 mm.

Accompanying Material

There are two paper endleaves, ff. [i]-[ii] (no watermarks are visible). On f. f. [i] verso there are a general title for the manuscript in French, ‘Recueil d'autheurs grecs de mathematique’, and an Index of the manuscript's contents in Latin, written by the hand which recurs on the manuscripts owned by Jean-Baptiste Hautin.

On the left pastedown and on the right pastedown are glued two parchment strips ( 75-80 × 280 mm. ), with a handwritten text in ancient French.

History

Provenance and Acquisition

This manuscript, like many others at the University Library, was owned by a certain J.B. Hautin, probably to be identified with Jean Baptiste II Hautin, son of the French scholar and numismatist Jean-Baptiste Hautin (approximately 1580-1640) (on this matter see Jackson 2006, pp. 38-40 with bibliography). On f. [i] verso there is a summary of the manuscript's contents written by a hand which appears in the majority of Hautin's manuscripts, with title ‘ Recueil d'autheurs grecs de mathematique’.

John Moore (1646-1714) , bishop of Ely: no. 974 in the handwritten supplementary list of Moore's manuscripts, now MS Oo.7.50(2), compiled by Thomas Tanner (1674-1735) after the publication of Bernard, Catalogi librorum manuscriptorum Angliæ et Hiberniæ (1697).

Presented to the University Library in 1715 by George I (1660-1727) : donation bookplate engraved by John Pine (1690-1756) in 1736 on f. [i] verso.

Part 1 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 1r-56v]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

1. ff. 1r-54r
Ptolemy, active 2nd century, Syntaxis mathematica, 1-3

The text is accompanied by illustrations and passim by scholia: first scholion ( f. 8r) inc. ‘ ⟨Ἐ⟩πεὶ καὶ ἕκαστος τῶν ἀπλανῶν ἢ παραλλήλων’, last (f. 48v) inc. ‘ ⟨Ἰ⟩στέον τοῦτο ὅτι ἐπὶ ἑκάστου κλίματος’

TLG 0363.001

1.1. ff. 1r-23r
Syntaxis mathematica, 1
Rubric: f. 1r Κλαυδίου Πτολεμαίου, Μαθηματικῆς Συντάξεως, βιβλίον αον
Incipit: f. 1r Πάνυ καλῶς οἱ γνησίως φιλοσοφήσαντες ὦ Σύρε
Explicit: f. 23r l. 5 τὸν ἰσημερινὸν ἀνέγκλιτον πρὸς τὸν ὁρίζοντα.

The tables on ff. 14v-16r (J.L. Heiberg (ed), Claudii Ptolemaei opera quae exstant omnia, 1.1, Leipzig 1898, pp. 48-63) and f. 21r ( Heiberg 1898, pp. 80-81) have been left incomplete by the scribe

1.2. ff. 23r-51r
Syntaxis mathematica, 2
Incipit: f. 23v ⟨Δ⟩ιεξελθόντες ἐν τῷ πρώτῳ τῆς συντάξεως τά τε περὶ τῆς τῶν ὅλων σχέσεως κατὰ τὸ κεφαλαιῶδες ὀφείλοντα προληφθῆναι
Explicit: f. 51r τῆς δὲ μειώσεως, ὅταν ὁ ὑποκείμενος δυσμικώτερος.

The text is preceded by an index on f. 23r

On f. 23v space was left blank for a title

The tables on f. 35r, ff. 36v-38r ( Heiberg 1898, pp. 134-141), and ff. 47r-49r ( Heiberg 1898, pp. 174-187) have been left incomplete by the scribe. After the last table, ff. 49v-50v have been left blank

After the end of book 2, f. 51v has been left blank, perhaps for the index of the following book

1.3. ff. 52r-54r
Syntaxis mathematica, 3
Incipit: f. 52r ⟨Ἐ⟩φωδευμένων ἡμῖν ἐν τοῖς πρὸ τούτου συντεταγμένοις
Explicit: f. 54r τὸ πλεῖστον αὐτὸν ἀπέχοντα τοῖς καθ’ ἑαυτὸν χρόνοις||

On f. 52r space was left blank for a title

The text ends abruptly, incomplete, at Heiberg 1898, p. 198 lin. 14

ff. 54v-56v are blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 1-56 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermarks: ff. 1-24, 25/32, western paper without watermarks. ff. 26-31 Mermaid in a circle surmounted by a Latin cross ( 60 × 40 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf comparable to Briquet Sirène 13898 , which is dated to 1537. ff. 33-56 Lily in a circle ( 40 × 38 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf comparable to Briquet Fleur de lis 7099-7100 , which are dated to 1502 and 1515.

Collation

Part I consists of 7 quaternions.

  • Quires 1-78 ff. 1-56 (α-η)

Greek signatures in brown ink, original to the production of the manuscript, on the lower margin of the first leaf recto of each quire, formed by a sequence of Greek letters from α ( f. 1r) to η ( f. 49r). Vertical catchwords written from the top down by the scribe on the last verso of the quires, lower part, near the gutter.

Condition

Humidity and brown and orange stains are present near the edges of the leaves, see e.g. ff. 1r, 7r, 18v. Wormholes near the gutter on ff. 33r-56v

Layout

A single column of 22 lines. 210 × 130 mm.

Hand(s)

Hand A: the text has been written by Nikolaos Sophianos (16th c., first half-middle) , (RGK I, 318. See also RGK II, 437; RGK III, 517).

The text is written in black ink, titles and initials in red.

The title of the first work (f. 1r) is written in majuscule letters.

Decoration

The initial of the first work, in ekthesis and in red ink, is decorated with a vegetal motif with rinceaux.

On ff. 23v and 52r blank space was left for a title and an initial.

Thick red-ink initials in ekthesis mark the start of a new work, or a new section, or a scholion, and sometimes are very simply decorated with points or strokes, see e.g. 3r and 26v.

A clover and a leaf in red ink accompany the title on f. 1r.

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was copied by the scribe Nikolaos Sophianos, who was active in the first half of the 16th c.

Part 2 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 57r-64v]

Contents

Introduction: This part of the manuscript contains the Epitomized praise of Ptolemy’s Syntaxis Mathematica by Theodore Metochites. It is a matter of discussion, whether this text constituted the third book of Metochites' Introduction to Astronomy; in the manuscript tradition, it usually accompanies this work (see I. Telelis, review to E. A. Paschos-Ch. Simelidis, Introduction to Astronomy by Theodore Metochites (Stoicheiosis Astronomike 1.5-30) [...], in: Byzantina Symmeikta 27, 2017, pp. 413-423: 417-418). Book 2 of this work is present in this manuscript on ff. 204r-210v. Considering that this manuscript is affected by various cases of misplacements of quires, and given the fact that this part of the manuscript has been written by the same hand (Nikolaos Sophianos, who wrote the first and last part of Metochites' book 2), with the same layout (a single column of 33 lines) and on the same paper (no watermarks), as the part containing Metochites' book 2, it is possible that part II originally followed Metochites' text in part X.

Language(s): Greek

2. ff. 57r-63v
Metochites, Theodoros, 1270-1332, Epitomized praise of Ptolemy’s Syntaxis Mathematica (Introduction to Astronomy, book 3 [?])
Rubric: f. 57r Ἐπιτετμημένον ἐγκώμιον τῆς τοῦ Πτολεμαίου μαθηματικῆς συντάξεως
Incipit: f. 57r Ἡ μὲν δὴ πρόθεσις ἡμῖν νῦν ἐστιν κατ' ἐπιτομὴν διαλαβεῖν κεφαλαιωδῶς
Explicit: f. 63v ἐξεθέμεθα ἐν τῷ πρώτῳ ἡμῖν βιβλίῳ καὶ ἐστὶν ὁ κανὼν οὗτος||

The canon mentioned at the end of the text is not present

ff. 64r-64v are blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 57-64 Western paper, folded in folio, without watermarks.
Extent: Codex: 8 leaves., 286 × 210 mm.

Collation

Part II consists of 1 quaternion.

  • Quire 88 ff. 57-64

Condition

Humidity and brown stains are present near the edges of the leaves, see e.g. f. 60r.

Layout

ff. 57r-63v A single column of 33 lines. 220 × 140 mm.

Hand(s)

The text is written by hand A, Nikolaos Sophianos (16th c., first half,-middle) , (RGK I, 318. See also RGK II, 437; RGK III, 517).

The text is written in brown ink, titles and initials in red.

Decoration

Thick red-ink initials in ekthesis with a very simple decoration, see ff. 57r, 58v.

Additions

On the lower edge, right, of f. 57r is written the number ‘11o ’, maybe the remains of a numeration of the manuscript's parts.

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was copied by the scribe Nikolaos Sophianos, who was active in the first half of the 16th c.

Part 3 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 65r-82v, 258r-265v]

Contents

Introduction: This part contains Proclus' Hypotyposis astronomicarum positionum. The text ends abruptly at the end of chapter 3 on f. 82v, where there is also a catchword in the scribe's hand referring to the next part of the text, which can be found at the end of the manuscript, by the same scribe, on ff. 262r-265r. On f. 262r there is a Greek signature by the scribe, ‘ γ΄’ (3); the signatures of part 3 are ‘α, β’ (1, 2). Quires are therefore misplaced. Currently however f. 262 is the 5th leaf of a quaternion (quire 318 ff. 258r-265v: 258-259-260-261 | 262-263-264-265). This quaternion must therefore, at a certain point, have been folded inside out: the original order of the leaves of quire 31 was then probably 262-263-264-265 | 258-259-260-261

Language(s): Greek

3. ff. 65r-82v, 262r-265r
Proclus, approximately 410-485, Hypotyposis astronomicarum positionum
Rubric: f. 65r Πρόκλου διαδόχου, ὑποτύπωσις ἀστρονομικῶν ὑποθέσεων
Incipit: f. 65r Πλάτων μὲν ὁ μέγας, ὦ ἑταῖρε, τόνγε ὡς ἀληθῶς φιλόσοφον ἀξιοῖ τὰς αἰσθήσεις χαίρειν ἀφέντα
Explicit: f. 265r ἵνα γένηται καταληπτὸν τὸ μέτρον τῶν ἐν αὐτοῖς.
Final rubric: f. 82v Τέλος τῶν ὑποθέσεων

The final rubric on f. 82v has been crossed out by a later hand

The text is accompanied by diagrams and passim by scholia, marked by signs referring to the corresponding passages in the text: first scholion on f. 65r, inc. ‘ Ὑπὸ γὰρ τῶν τηρήσεων ὡρμήθησαν τὰς ὑποθέσεις’, last on f. 264v, inc. ‘ οἱ δὲ νεώτεροι’.

TLG 4036.002

3.1. ff. 65r-82v
Hypotyposis astronomicarum positionum, 1-5
3.2. ff. 262r-265r
Hypotyposis astronomicarum positionum, 6-7
32. ff. 258r-261v
Catoptrics Catoptrica
Rubric: f. 258r Εὐκλείδου Μεγαρέως κατοπτρικά
Incipit: f. 258r Ὑποκείσθω ὄψιν εἶναι εὐθεῖαν ἧς τὰ μέσα πάντα τοῖς ἄκροις ἐπιπροσθεῖ
Explicit: f. 261v ὥστε ἐνταῦθα στυπίον[sic] τεθὲν, ἐξαφθήσεται

The text is traditionally attributed to Euclid , but is considered spurious

The text is accompanied by diagrams and on f. 258r by scholia (TLG 5022.005), marked by signs placed before them and in the text to indicate the corresponding passages: first scholion inc. ‘οὐκοῦν ἐν τοῖς ἐπιπέδοις’ (J.L. Heiberg, Euclidis opera omnia, 7, Leipzig 1895, p. 347 nο. 3), last inc. ‘ ἢ ὅτι ἡ κερατοειδὴς γωνία’ (Heiberg 1895, p. 348 nο. 8)

TLG 1799.011

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 65-82 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermarks: ff. 65-74, Three crescents in a shield and in a circle ( 43 × 40 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf comparable to Briquet Armoiries 1231 , which is dated to 1529/1533. ff. 75-82, ff. 258-265 Shape in a circle (Paschal lamb?) ( 43 × 43 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf, very difficult to discern.

Collation

Part III consists of 1 quinion and 2 quaternions. The third quire has been moved to the end of the manuscript (ff. 258-265), and has been folded inside out, so that the original first leaf of the quire (f. 262r), on which there is the original signature γ΄ (3), is now the 5th. The original order of the leaves of quire 31 was probably: 262-263-264-265 | 258-259-260-261

  • Quire 910 ff. 65-74 (α)
  • Quire 108 ff. 75-82 (β)
  • Quire 318 ff. 258-265 (γ)

Greek signatures in brown ink, original to the production of the manuscript, from α to γ, on the lower edge, recto, of the first leaf of each quire:

  • α΄ on f. 65r
  • β΄ on f. 75r
  • γ΄ on f. 262r.

Later signatures in modern pencil, probably by a librarian, on the lower margin, recto, of the first leaf of each quire:

  • A on f. 65r
  • B on f. 75r
  • X on f. 258r

Vertical catchwords in the scribe's hand on the last verso, lower part, near the gutter, written from the top down.

Condition

The leaves are yellowed and show humidity and brown and orange stains near the edges, see e.g. ff. 65r 75r 82v. The edges of the leaves are ripped and have little tears see e.g. ff. 67r-67v 82r-82v. Wormholes on ff. 258r-265v.

Layout

A single column of 30/34 lines. 225 × 140 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 65r-70r l. 12 Hand B: a minuscule, vertical, of small size, with some contrasts determined by bigger letters, such as kappa, epsilon, tau.

The text is written in black ink, titles and initials in red.

ff. 70r l. 12-82v, ff. 258r-265v Hand A: Nikolaos Sophianos (16th c., first half-middle) (RGK I, 318. See also RGK II, 437; RGK III, 517).

The text is written in black ink, titles and initials in red.

The scribe also wrote scholia in the margins, and rubrics and scholia in the leaves copied by hand B.

Decoration

Thick red-ink initials in ekthesis, see e.g. f. 65r, sometimes very simply decorated with points or strokes.

The text is accompanied by geometrical diagrams, traced in black ink, with letters and terms in red (see e.g. ff. 68v, 70r, 71v, 259v-260r ).

Additions

On f. 82v a later hand crossed out the final rubric, writing ‘Reliqua quaere ad finem huius voluminis.’, referring to the remainder of the text at the end of the manuscript (ff. 262r-265v). The same hand wrote an annotation on f. 262r, ‘Ex Procli libro hypotyposeon quod deesse s notatus est’

On the lower margin, right, of ff. 65r and 75r, at the beginning of the quires, is written the number ‘12°’, maybe the remains of a numbering of the manuscript's parts: the same kind of number is written on f. 262r, ‘7°’

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was copied by hand B and the scribe Nikolaos Sophianos, who was active in the first half of the 16th c.

Part 4 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 83r-106v]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

4. ff. 83r-102v
Scholia on Ptolemy's Syntaxis Mathematica
Rubric: f. 83r Θέωνος Ἀλεξανδρέως σχόλια πάνυ χρήσιμα εἰς τῆν μαθηματικὴν μεγάλην σύνταξιν Πτολεμαίου
Incipit: f. 83r Σύνταξιν ἐπέγραψε τὴν πραγματείαν οὐχ ὡς ἄν τις οἰηθείη
Explicit: f. 102v τινά φαμεν ἀνατέλλειν.||

  • f. 83r Scholia to the 1st book
  • f. 93r Scholia to the 2nd book

This collection of scholia is the same that is found, for instance, in MS Città del Vaticano, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 184 , ff. 25r-80r (Scholia K, F. Acerbi, The Mathematical Scholia Vetera to Almagest I.10–15. With a Critical Edition of the Diagrams and an Explanation of Their Symmetry Properties, in: Sciamus 18, 2017, pp. 133-259)

The text is incomplete (it ends corresponding to the passage found in MS Vat. gr. 184, f. 40r l. 32)

ff. 103r-106v are blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 83-106 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermarks: ff. 83-106, Mermaid in a circle surmounted by a Latin cross ( 60 × 40 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf comparable to Briquet Sirène 13898 , which is dated to 1537.

Collation

Part IV consists of 3 quaternions.

  • Quires 11-138 ff. 83-106 (α-β)

Greek signatures in brown ink, original to the production of the manuscript, α-β, on the lower margin, recto, of the first leaf of each quire.

Later signatures in modern pencil, probably by a librarian, from C to E, on the lower margin, recto, of the first leaf of each quire

 Vertical catchwords in the scribe's hand on the last verso, lower part, near the gutter, written from the top down.

Condition

The leaves are yellowed and show humidity and brown and orange stains near the edges.

Layout

A single column of 33lines. 225 × 135 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 83r-102v Hand A: Nikolaos Sophianos (16th c., first half-middle) (RGK I, 318. See also RGK II, 437; RGK III, 517).

The text is written in black ink, titles and initials in red. Rubrics are missing on ff. 100v-102v

The scribe also wrote some notes in the margins.

Decoration

Thick red-ink initials in ekthesis, see e.g. f. 83r, sometimes very simply decorated, see e.g. 84v.

The text is accompanied throughout by geometrical diagrams, traced in black ink, with letters in red (see e.g. f. 89v).

Additions

On ff. 83r-83v a later hand wrote two notes in the margins.

On the lower edge, right, of ff. 83r, 91r, and 99r at the beginning of the quires, is written the number ‘13’, maybe the remains of a numbering of the manuscript's parts.

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was copied by the scribe Nikolaos Sophianos, who was active in the first half of the 16th c.

Part 5 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 112r-121v]

Contents

Introduction: This part of the manuscript, which contains Archimedes' Measurement of a circle (Dimensio circuli) followed by the commentary of Eutocius of Ascalon, was copied from MS Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, gr. 2360 (see A. Diller, The tradition of the minor Greek geographers, Lancaster 1952, , p. 15 note 43). On f. 121v the scribe wrote an annotation indicating as previous owners George Valla and Albertus Pius of Carpi: ‘ Πρῶτερον Γεωργίου Βάλλα, ὕστερον Ἀλβέρτου Πίου τοῦ Καρπαίου’. The note was however copied from the Paris manuscript, where it refers to its exemplar, Valla's codex of Archimedes (see Diller 1952, p. 15 note 43).

Language(s): Greek

5. ff. 112r-112v
Archimēdēs, Measurement of a circle Dimensio circuli
Rubric: f. 112r Ἀρχιμήδους κύκλου μέτρησις
Incipit: f. 112r Πᾶς κύκλος ἴσος ἐστὶ τριγώνῳ ὀρθογωνίῳ
Explicit: f. 112v καὶ ἐλάσσων μὲν ἢ ἑβδόμῳ μέρει, μείζων δέ.

The text is accompanied by diagrams

TLG 0552.002

6. f. 113r-116v
Eutocius, of Ascalon, Commentary on Archimedes' Measurement of a circle Commentarius in dimensione circuli
Rubric: f. 113r Εὐτοκίου Ασκαλωνίτου ὑπόμνημα εἰς τὴν Ἀρχιμήδους κύκλου μέτρησιν
Incipit: f. 113r Ἐχόμενον ἂν εἴη τὸν ἐμὸν πληροῦντι σκοπὸν τοῖς σαφεστέροις καὶ βραχυτέρας ἐπιστάσεως δεομένοις
Explicit: f. 116v ἀρκεῖ τὰ ὑπ’ Ἀρχιμήδους ἐνταῦθα εἰρημένα.
Final rubric: f. 116v Εὐτοκίου Ἀσκαλωνίτου ὑπόμνημα εἰς τὴν Ἀρχιμήδους τοῦ κύκλου μέτρησιν ἐκδόσεως παραναγνωσθείσης τῷ Μιλησίῳ μηχανικῷ Ἰσιδώρῳ ἡμετέρῳ διδασκάλῳ. Τέλος.

TLG 4072.002

ff. 117r-120v are blank

7. f. 121r
Eratosthenes, ⟨ Cubi duplicatio (35 Powell)⟩
Incipit: f. 121r Εἰ κύβον ἐξ ὀλίγου διπλήσιον, ὠγαθέ, τεύχειν
Explicit: f. 121r τοῦ Κυρηναίου τοῦτ’ Ἐρατοσθένεος.

J.U. Powell, Collectanea Alexandrina, Oxford 1925 (repr. 1970), p. 66

TLG 0222.009

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 112-121 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermarks: ff. 112/121 Quadruped and a shield in a circle ( 44 × 40 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf, parallels not found in the main repertoires. ff. 113-120, Lily in a circle ( 40 × 38 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf comparable to Briquet Fleur de lis 7099-7100 , which are dated to 1502 and 1515.

Collation

Part V consists of 1 quinion.

  • Quire 1510 ff. 112-121

Later signature in modern pencil, probably by a librarian, F*, on the lower margin of f. 112r

Condition

The leaves are slightly yellowed near the edges. The edges of ff. 112r-112v are brown and heavily damaged, with tears and missing parts; this leaf is also particularly affected by brown stains. A tear is present also on f. 113.

Layout

On ff. 112r-112v , the layout is not regular. ff. 113r-116v A single column of 31 lines. ca. 230 × ca. 170 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 112r-116v Hand A: Nikolaos Sophianos (16th c., first half-middle) (RGK I, 318. See also RGK II, 437; RGK III, 517).

The text is written in brown ink, as well as titles and initials.

Decoration

ff. 112r-112v, the text is accompanied passim by geometrical diagrams, traced in black ink, with letters in red.

Additions

On f. 112r a later hand wrote, in the upper margin, right, the pages where the text is to be found in a printed edition.

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was copied by the scribe Nikolaos Sophianos, who was active in the first half of the 16th c.

Part 6 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 122r-131v]

Contents

Introduction: This part of the manuscript contains the Sketch of Geography by Agathemerus, one of the texts in the corpus of Minor Greek Geographers. This text reached Europe in the 16th c. by means of this manuscript. It was contained in Heidelberg, Universitätsbibliothek, Pal. gr. 398 (9th century), but was lost with the first five quires of the codex. The text was copied in the MS Athos, Mone Batopediou, 655 (14th century) and from this codex in MS CUL Gg.2.33 (ca. 1540). In the middle of the 16th c. Nikolaos Sophianos, who copied this part of the manuscript, was sent on missions to acquire manuscripts for the Spanish ambassador in Venice Diego Hurtado de Mendoza; it is probably during this period that the copying of this part of the manuscript took place on Mount Athos. When the Cambridge codex was brought to Italy, 15 copies of the text by Agathemerus were produced before 1600 (for all this subject, see Diller 1952, pp. 15, 17-18).

Language(s): Greek

8. ff. 122r-124r l. 9
Agathemerus, Geographiae informatio
Rubric: f. 122r Ἀγαθημέρου τοῦ Ὄρθωνος γεωγραφίας ὑποτύπωσις
Incipit: f. 122r Ἀναξίμανδρος ὁ Μιλήσιος ἀκουστὴς Θάλεω, πρῶτος ἐτόλμησε τὴν οἰκουμένην
Explicit: f. 124r Χίου περίμετρος στάδια χξʹ, Λέσβου περίμετρος ͵αρʹ.

TLG 0090.001

9. ff. 124r l. 10-125v
Summaria ratio geographiae in sphaera intelligendae
Rubric: f. 124r Διάγνωσις ἐν ἐπιτομῇ τῆς ἐν τῇ σφαίρᾳ γεωγραφίας
Incipit: f. 124r Τοῦ τεχνικοῦ Πτολεμαίου διεξιόντος
Explicit: f. 125v ταῖς νυξὶ δὲ τὴν αὔξησιν γίνεσθαι.

The text is accompanied by diagrams

TLG 2029.001

10. ff. 126r-130r
Geographiae expositio compendiaria
Rubric: f. 126r Ὑποτύπωσις γεωγραφίας ἐν ἐπιτόμῳ
Incipit: f. 126r Ἀναμέτρησις τῆς ὅλης γῆς. Ἡ τῆς ὅλης γῆς περίμετρος
Explicit: f. 130r Ἡ μὲν δὴ καθ’ ἡμᾶς θάλασσα τοιαύτη.

TLG 0092.001

11. f. 130v
Dionysius, of Byzantium, Per Bosporum navigatio (excerptum)
Rubric: f. 130v Διονυσίου Βυζαντίου ἀνάπλους Βοσπόρου
Incipit: f. 130v Εἰ μόνην συνέβαινε τοῖς ἀναπλέουσιν εἰς τὸν Εὔξεινον Πόντον
Explicit: f. 130v τὸ δὲ πέρας, ποταμὸς ὁ Τάναις, ὅρος τῶν δυεῖν ἠπείρων.||

The text ends at R. Güngerich, Dionysii Byzantii Anaplus Bospori, Berolini 1927, p. 1, l. 22

TLG 0083.003

ff. 131r-131v are blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 122-131 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermark: Sun with 16 rays, countermark ‘33’ with Latin cross ( 65 × 65 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf, exact parallels not found in the main repertories.
Extent: Codex: 10 leaves., 287 × 200 mm.

Collation

Part VI consists of 1 quinion.

  • Quire 1610 ff. 122-131

Later signature in modern pencil, probably by a librarian, G, on the lower margin of f. 122r

Condition

The leaves are slightly yellowed near the edges. There are brown stains on ff. 124r-125v and f. 130v.

Layout

A single column of 29 lines. 210 × 140 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 122r-131v Hand A: Nikolaos Sophianos (16th c., first half-middle) (RGK I, 318. See also RGK II, 437; RGK III, 517).

The text is written in black ink, as well as titles and initials.

Decoration

Some diagrams accompany the texts on ff. 124r-125r, 128v.

Additions

On the lower margin, right, of f. 122r is written the number ‘2°’, maybe the remains of a numbering of the manuscript's parts.

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was copied by Nikolaos Sophianos from MS Athos, Mone Batopediou, 655, probably on Mount Athos; during one of his journeys in search of manuscripts on behalf of the Spanish ambassador in Venice Diego Hurtado de Mendoza, in the first half of the 16th c.

Part 7 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 132r-139v]

Contents

Introduction: Isaac Argyros' two texts On the first stereographic projection used in Ptolemy's Geography were copied by Nikolaos Sophianos from MS Città del Vaticano, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 1059 (W. Laue, G. Makris, Isaak Argyros' Abhandlung ueber die Kegelprojektion I in der Geographia des Klauidios Ptolemaios, in: Palaeoslavica 10.1, 2002, pp. 226-245: 228).

Language(s): Greek

12. ff. 132r-133r
Josephus, Philosophus, ca. 1280-1330, Synopsis artis rhetoricae (excerpt, ch. 14-17)
Incipit: f. 132r Ἐν ταῖς ἐπιστολαῖς χρησιμώτατα
Explicit: f. 133r l. 14 μείζονος καὶ τυγχάνει.

The manuscript contains only 4 chapters of Joseph Rhakendytes' work on Rhetorics, C. Walz, Rhetores Graeci,3, Stuttgart 1834, pp. 558 l. 21-565 l. 19

At the beginning of the text the scribe wrote an indication, maybe a title, which has nothing to do with the following text and was erased with a line, ‘ ⟨ε⟩ἰ βούλει γινώσκειν τὴν τοῦ ἀστρολάβου’

TLG 3151.002

13. ff. 133r-133v
On the first stereographic projection used in Ptolemy's Geography
Rubric: f. 133r l. 15 Ἰσαὰκ μοναχοῦ τοῦ Ἀργυροῦ σχόλια πάνυ ἀναγκαιότατα τυγχάνοντα εἰς τὸ εὑρισκόμενον ἐν τῆ[sic] γεωγραφία[sic] πρῶτον σχῆμα τῆς ἐν ἐπιπέδῳ καταγραφῆς τῆς οἰκήσεως
Incipit: f. 133r ⟨Τ⟩ὸ μὲν ὑποθεῖναι τὸ μῆκος τοῦ παραλληλογράμμου
Explicit: f. 133v l. 4 ζητητέον οὖν πῶς εἷπεν διπλάσιον ἔγγιστα.

The text, present in MS Vat. gr. 1059, f. 22r and copied from it by the scribe, is attributed by him in this manuscript to Isaac Argyros (ca.1305-1375) , who is certainly the author of the following text. In the exemplar no title or author is present

14. ff. 133v-134v
Argyros, Isaac, approximately 1305-approximately 1375, On the first stereographic projection used in Ptolemy's Geography
Rubric: f. 133v l. 4 Τοῦ αὐτοῦ εἰς τὸ αὐτὸ
Incipit: f. 133r Ἐνταῦθα ὁ Πτολεμαῖος πρὸ τῆς καταγραφῆς τοῦ παρόντος σχήματος
Explicit: f. 134v λαμβάνονται τὰ πέρατα καὶ οὐ περιφερειῶν.

Edition of the text: Laue, Makris 2002, pp. 230-242

15. ff. 135r-136r
Ptolemy, active 2nd century, Geography (excerpt, book 1, ch. 24)
Rubric: f. 135r Μέθοδος εἰς τὴν ἐν ἐπιπέδῳ τῆς οἰκουμένης σύμμετρον τῆ σφαιρικῆ[sic] θέσει καταγραφήν.
Incipit: f. 135r ⟨Ἐ⟩πὶ δὲ τῆς ἐν τῷ πίνακι καταγραφῆς ἡ τῆς συμμετρίας τῶν ἄκρων παραλλήλων μέθοδος
Explicit: f. 136r Καὶ ἐκβληθείσης τῆς ΓΑ, πιπτέτω τὸ κέντρον ἐν ᾧ γραφήσεται τὸ ΒΖΔ τοῦ κύκλου τμῆμα κατὰ τὸ Η.||

The text is chapter 24 of Ptolemy's Geography, ending abruptly at A. Stückelberger, G. Grasshoff, Klaudios Ptolemaios Handbuch der Geographie, 1, Basel, 2006, p. 126 l. 3

The scribe wrote some scholia in the margins. First scholion at f. 135r inc. τουτέστι δ τμημάτων λαβόντες (to Stückelberger-Grasshoff 2006, p. 118 l. 12); last scholion at f. 135v inc. τοῦ διὰ τῆς Ἀγίσυμβα χώρας (to Stückelberger-Grasshoff 2006, p. 120 l. 19)

TLG 0363.015

ff. 136v-139v are blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 132-139 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermark: Mermaid in a circle surmounted by a Latin cross ( 60 × 40 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf comparable to Briquet Sirène 13898 , which is dated to 1537.

Collation

Part VII consists of 1 quaternion.

  • Quire 178 ff. 132-139

Later signature in modern pencil, probably by a librarian, H, on the lower margin of f. 132r

Condition

The leaves are slightly yellowed near the edges. There are brown and grey stains on ff. 132r-133v and f. 139v.

Layout

ff. 132r-134v A single column of 33 to 35 lines. ca 225 × 140 mm.

ff. 135r-136r A single column of 22 lines. 210 × 140 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 132r-136r Hand A: Nikolaos Sophianos (16th c., first half-middle) (RGK I, 318. See also RGK II, 437; RGK III, 517).

The text is written in black ink, as well as titles and initials. On ff. 132v-135r, passim, initials are missing.

Additions

On the lower margin, right, of f. 132r is written the number ‘3°’, maybe the remains of a numbering of the manuscript's parts.

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was copied by the scribe Nikolaos Sophianos, who was active in the first half of the 16th c.

Part 8 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 140r-179v]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

16. ff. 140r-146v
Hypsicles, of Alexandria, Elements (Euclid's Elements, book 14)
Rubric: f. 140r Ὑψικλέους τὸ εἰς Εὐκλείδην ἀναφερόμενον
Incipit: f. 140r ⟨Β⟩ασιλείδης ὁ Τύριος ὦ Πρώταρχε παραγενηθεὶς εἰς Ἀλεξάνδρειαν
Explicit: f. 146v l. 11 πρὸς τὴν δυναμένην τὴν ὅλην καὶ τὸ ἔλαττον τμῆμα.

The mention of the author (see Rubric) has been written in black ink by the scribe on the upper edge of the leaf; space (3 lines) for a title and an initial was left at the beginning of the text

There are no rubrics, and no initials; blank spaces have been left by the scribe for diagrams

The scribe wrote some scholia in the margins: first scholion (f. 144v) inc. ὡς τὸ ἀπὸ τῆς Η (E.S. Stamatis post J.L. Heiberg [ed.], Euclidis opera omnia, 5.2, Leipzig 1977, p. 317 no. 27), last scholion (f. 146r) inc. ἐπεὶ γὰρ τῆς ΑΒ, ΒΓ μετὰ τῆς ΑΓ (Stamatis-Heiberg 1977, p. 318 no. 31)

TLG 0717.001

17. ff. 146v-153v
⟨Elements, book 15⟩
Incipit: f. 146v l. 12 ⟨Ε⟩ἰς τὸν δοθέντα κύβον πυραμίδα ἐγγράψαι
Explicit: f. 153v l. 1 ὡς ἐν τοῖς στοιχείοις ἀποδέδεικται τοῦτο.

The text is traditionally attributed to Euclid

There are no rubrics, and no initials; blank spaces have been left by the scribe for diagrams

The scribe wrote some scholia: first scholion ( f. 146v) inc. ⟨Τ⟩ὰ κέντρα τῶν τετραγόνων ἤτοι τῶν κύκλων (E.S. Stamatis post J.L. Heiberg [ed.], Euclidis opera omnia, 5.2, Leipzig 1977, p. 320 no. 8), last scholion (f. 153r) inc. ὅτι ἡ ὑπὸ ΛΚΜ γωνία ἀμβλεῖα (Stamatis-Heiberg 1977, p. 323 no. 18)

TLG 4005.001

18. ff. 153v-176v
Scholia on Euclid, Elements, books 5-13
Incipit: f. 153v l. 2 Ἰστέον, ὡς τὰ μεγέθη τριχῶς· ἢ γὰρ ἐν γραμμῇ
Explicit: f. 176v δώδεκα δὲ πενταγώνοις.

  • f. 157v Scholia to book 6
  • f. 160r Scholia to book 7
  • f. 161r Scholia to book 8
  • f. 161v Scholia to book 10
  • f. 174v Scholia to books 11 and 12
  • f. 175v Scholia to book 13

First scholion E.S. Stamatis post J.L. Heiberg [ed.], Euclidis opera omnia,5.1, Leipzig 1977, p. 213 nο. 5, last scholion at f. 169v inc. Πυραμὶς πῦρ (see Stamatis-Heiberg 1977, p. 309 nο. 81). After that one more scholion

TLG 5022.001

19. ff. 177r-179v
Texts on geometry
Incipit: f. 177r Ἐπειδήπερ ἀποδέδεικται ἐν τῷ ιβῳ στοιχείῳ τῆς γεωμετρίας ἐν τῷ γῳ βιβλίῳ τῆς τῶν στερεῶν πραγματείας
Explicit: f. 179v ἴσον ἐστὶν τῷ τοῦ κύκλου ἐμβαδῷ ὅπερ ἔδει δεῖξαι.

A later hand added three titles in Latin, probably translating three annotations written by the scribe in the upper margin (ff. 177r and 178r) and on the left margin (f. 178v) of the leaves, which are now only partially visible

  • f. 177r ‘De quadratura circuli’ (only the Latin is visible)
  • f. 178r ‘Τὶ ἡ περίμετρος τοῦ κύκλου πρὸς τὸν αὐτὸν διάμετρον μείζονα λόγον ἔχει ἤ τριπλασίονα’
  • f. 178v ‘ὅπερ εὑρίσκεται καὶ τὸ ἐμβαδὸν τοῦ κύκλου’

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 140-179 Western paper, folded in quarto. Watermarks: ff. 140-149, 163/166, 173-176 Flower with 6 petals ( ca. 40 × 23 mm. ) in the gutter, no exact parallels found in the main repertoires. ff. 150-159, 160/169, 170/179 Flower with 5 petals ( ca. 30 × 23 mm. ) in the gutter, no exact parallels found in the main repertories.

Collation

Part VIII consists of 4 quinions.

  • Quires 18-2110 ff. 140-179
    • α΄-δον

Greek signatures in black ink, original to the production of the manuscript, from α΄ (1) to δον (4), in the lower margin of the first leaf recto of each quire.

Later signatures in modern pencil, probably by a librarian, I, K, L, M, in the lower margin of the first leaf of each quire.

 The first 5 leaves of each quire are numbered I-II-III-IIII-IIIII in the lower margin, recto, right. It is probably a modern addition by a librarian.

Condition

The leaves are yellowed near the edges and show a lot of stains (in particular the first and last leaf of this part of the manuscript, ff. 140r and 179v). Water stains on the right corner of ff. 140r-152v. Ink stains on ff. 149v-150r.

Layout

A single column of 29 lines. 210 × 110 mm.

Hand(s)

Hand C: the text has been written by Konstantinos Mesobotes (Κωνσταντῖνος Μεσοβώτης, 16th c., first half) (RGK I, 224. See also RGK II, 315; RGK III, 363).

The text is written in black ink; there are no rubrics, titles, and initials are missing.

The scribe also wrote annotations in the margins.

Additions

The scribe wrote passim annotations in the margins, additions to the text, or indications relating to the parts of Euclid's work to which the scholia refer.

A later western hand added passim in the margins, in a black ink, notes indicating the parts of Euclid's work to which the scholia refer.

On the lower margin, right, of the first leaf of each quire (see e.g. f. 140r) is written the number ‘4°’, maybe the remains of a numeration of the manuscript's parts.

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was written by the Greek scribe Konstantinos Mesobotes, active in Italy; in the first half of the 16th c. The scribe did not sign or date his copy, which should be assigned thus to the first half of the 16th century.

Part 9 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 180r-195v]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

20. ff. 180r-193r
Theon, of Alexandria, active 364, Commentary on the Almagest (book 1, hypomnema 2) Commentarium in Ptolemaei syntaxin mathematicam
Incipit: f. 180r Διαλαβόντες ἐν τῷ πρὸ τούτου βιβλίῳ
Explicit: f. 193r καὶ ἔστι τὸ ἀπὸ τῆς ΑΔ||

This is the second part of Theon's commentary on book I of the Almagest (inc. A. Rome, Commentaires de Pappus et de Théon d'Alexandrie sur l'Almageste, II, Città del Vaticano 1936, p. 463)

The text ends abruptly at Rome 1936, p. 549 l. 17

The text is accompanied by diagrams

The scribe wrote passim annotations in the margins and a scholion (f. 181v) inc. Ἰστέον ὅτι οὕτως ἂν εὑρίσκομεν

TLG 2033.001

ff. 193v-195v are blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 180-195 Western paper, folded in folio, without watermarks.

Collation

Part IX consists of 2 quaternions.

  • Quires 22-238 ff. 180-195
    • α΄-β΄

Greek signatures in brown ink by the scribe, from α΄ (1) to β΄ (2), in the lower margin of the first leaf recto of each quire.

Later signatures in modern pencil, probably by a librarian, Ν, Ο, in the lower margin of the first leaf of each quire.

 Vertical catchwords by the scribe on the last verso of the quires, lower part, near the gutter, written from the top down.

Condition

The leaves are yellowed near the edges.

Layout

Α single column of 33 lines. 220 × 140 mm.

Hand(s)

Hand A: the text has been written by Nikolaos Sophianos (16th c., first half-middle) (RGK I, 318. See also RGK II, 437; RGK III, 517).

The text is written in brown ink, titles and initials in red.

Decoration

The first initial, in ekthesis and in red ink, is decorated with a simple vegetal motif with rinceaux (see f. 180r).

Thick initials in red ink in ekthesis, sometimes very simply decorated with points or strokes (see f. 191r).

Some diagrams accompany the texts, see e.g. ff. 180r, 182r, 191v-192r.

Additions

The scribe wrote passim annotations in the margins.

A later hand added a title in the upper margin of f. 180r, indicating also the page where the text begins in an edition: ‘Theonis in librum primum μεγάλης συντάξεως pag. 42 edit.’

On the lower margin, right, of the first leaf of each quire (see e.g. f. 180r) is written the number ‘5°’, maybe the remains of a numbering of the manuscript's parts.

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was copied by the scribe Nikolaos Sophianos, who was active in the first half of the 16th c.

Part 10 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 196r-211v]

Contents

Language(s): Greek

21. ff. 197r-203r
Johannes Philoponus 490-570, On the use and construction of the astrolabe De usu astrolabii
Incipit: f. 197r ⟨Τ⟩ὴν ἐν τῷ ἀστρολάβῳ τῆς ἐπιφανείας τῆς σφαίρας ἐξάπλωσιν
Explicit: f. 203r ἐστὶ χρόνων ἰσημερινῶν, ἢ καὶ μέρους. Τοὺς αὐτοὺς δὲ τούτους χρόνους μερίσαντες παρὰ τὸν ιε΄, πόσων ἐστὶν ὡρῶν||

The text ends abruptly at C. Jarry, Jean Philopon, traité de l'astrolabe, Paris 2015, p. 32 l.10 (for the explicit of the manuscript, see apparatus, MS R)

There are no rubrics

TLG 4015.020

ff. 196r-196v and 203v are blank

22. ff. 204r-210v
Metochites, Theodoros, 1270-1332, Introduction to Astronomy, book 2 Compendium astronomicum, lib. 2
Rubric: f. 204r Ἀστρονομικῆς κατ' ἐπιτομὴν στοιχειώσεως, βιβλίον β΄. Προπαρασκευὴ εἰς τὴν κατάληψιν τῆς τοῦ Πτολεμαίου συντάξεως
Incipit: f. 204r Προοίμιον ἐν ᾧ ὅπως χρεία διασαφήσεως τινῶν κεφαλαίων δι' ὧν ἑκάστοτε ὁ Πτολεμαῖος τοὺς ἀστρονομικοὺς ἐπιλογισμοὺς καὶ τὰς τῶν γραμμικῶν ἀποδείξεων ἐφόδους συμπεραίνεται. αον. Τὰ μὲν δὴ τῆς προτέρας ἡμῶν σπουδῆς
Explicit: f. 210v ὅτι τὰ ὑστερογενέστερα εἴδη παρὰ τὰ πρωτο… ||

The text is accompanied by diagrams

The text of book 2 is unpublished; it is present, e.g., in MS Città del Vaticano, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, gr. 181

ff. 211r-211v are blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: Western paper, folded in folio. ff. 196/203, 204-211 show no watermarks. Watermark: ff. 197-202, Three crescents in a shield and in a circle ( 43 × 40 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf, comparable to Briquet Armoiries 1231 , which is dated to 1529/1533..

Collation

Part X consists of 2 quaternions.

  • Quires 24-258 ff. 196-211

Later signatures in modern pencil, probably by a librarian, P, Q, on the lower margin of the first leaf of each quire.

ff. 197r, 198r and 199r are numbered I-II-III in the lower margin, recto, right. They are the leaves of the first half of the quire (quaternion 24), containing text (the first, f. 196, is blank). It is probably a modern addition by a librarian.

Condition

The leaves are yellowed near the edges. Yellow and brown stains, see e.g. f. 202v, f. 211v.

Layout

A single column of 34 lines. 225 × 140 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 197r-202v, 204r l. 12-210v l. 3 Hand B.

The text is written in black ink.

ff. 203r, 204r ll. 1-12, 210v ll. 3-32, Hand A, Nikolaos Sophianos (16th c., first half-middle) , (RGK I, 318. See also RGK II, 437; RGK III, 517).

The text is written in grey and brown ink, titles and initials in red.

Nikolaos Sophianos wrote the titles in red ink also on ff. 204r-209v where the text is copied by hand B.

Decoration

Thick initials in red ink in ekthesis, sometimes very simply decorated (see f. 204r).

Some diagrams accompany the text by Theodore Metochiotes, on ff. 207r, 208r, 209r.

Additions

A later hand wrote a few annotations in Greek in the margins of f. 197r, writing words corresponding to symbols used in the text.

A later hand added a title in the upper margin of f. 197r: ‘Iohannis Grammatici Philoponi Astrolabus’. Near this annotations was later written in pencil the signature of MS Cambridge, University Library, Dd.15.27 , which contains this work.

The same western hand wrote an annotation on f. 203r, under the text, stating that it is incomplete.

On the lower margin, right, of the first leaf of each quire are written numbers, probably the remains of a numeration of the manuscript's parts:

  • f. 197r ‘ 8°’
  • f. 204r ‘ 9°.’

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was copied by hand B and the scribe Nikolaos Sophianos, who was active in the first half of the 16th c.

Part 11 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 212r-227v]

Contents

Introduction: The manuscript is indicated by the letter C in Leurquin's edition of Theodore Meliteniotes' Tribiblos (1990).

Language(s): Greek

23. ff. 212r-218v
Melitēniōtēs, Theodōros, approximately 1320-1393, Three Books on Astronomy (Tribiblos), book 1, ch. 1-10 De astronomia libri tres, lib. 1, 1-10
Rubric: f. 212r Ἐκ τοῦ αου τῆς ἀστρονομικῆς τριβίβλου, ἢ ψηφηφοριῶν είσαγωγῆς, Θεοδώρου τοῦ Μελιτηνιώτου
Incipit: f. 212r Τί ἐστιν ἀστρονομία, καὶ παρὰ τίνων εὑρεθεῖσα τὸ ἐξ ἀρχῆς ἦλθεν εἷς Ἕλληνας ὕστερον (...). Ἀστρονομία ἐστὶν ἐπιστήμη περὶ τὰ οὐράνια σώματα
Explicit: f. 218v Ὁ α μϛʹ κʹ, ἐστιν ὁ ὀφείλων παρακεῖσθαι ἐξαναλόγου τῷ τι.
Final rubric: f. 218v Τέλος

The text ends with chapter 10, Leurquin 1990, vol. 1, p. 154

The text is accompanied by tables

TLG 4280.001

24. ff. 219r-221v
Argyros, Isaac, approximately 1305-approximately 1375, On the square roots of nonsquare numbers De radice quadrato
Rubric: f. 219r Τοῦ Ἀργυροῦ, περὶ εὑρέσεως τῶν τετραγωνικῶν πλευρῶν τῶν μὴ ῥητῶν τετραγώνων ἀριθμῶν
Incipit: f. 219r Τῶν μὲν ῥητῶν τετραγώνων ἀριθμῶν
Explicit: f. 221v Καὶ ἐπὶ τῶν ἄλλων ὁμοίως

The text is followed on f. 222r by a table of the square roots from 1 to 102

TLG 4355.004

f. 222v is blank

25. ff. 219r-226r
Introduction to the Almagest Prolegomena in Ptolemaei Syntaxin mathematica
Rubric: f. 223r Προλεγόμενα εἰς τὴν Πτολεμαίου μαθηματικὴν σύνταξιν
Incipit: f. 223r Τὴν ἀστρονομίαν ἐν τοῖς πρὸς Σύρον γενεθλιακοῖς
Explicit: f. 226r l. 27 ὡς πρὸς αἴσθησιν, σφαιροειδὴς ἡ γῆ.

The text has been published by Acerbi-Vinel-Vitrac 2010, divided in three parts:

  • ff. 219r-223v l. 9, Les préliminaires isagogiques, ed. Acerbi-Vinel-Vitrac 2010, pp. 76-78
  • ff. 223v l. 9-226r l. 3, Le traité des figures isopérimétriques, ed. Acerbi-Vinel-Vitrac 2010, pp. 120-132
  • ff. 226r l. 4-226r l. 27, La mesure de la terre, ed. Acerbi-Vinel-Vitrac 2010, pp. 203-204.
See ibidem pp. 61-66 for the question of the author

The text is accompanied by diagrams

In the margins of f. 226r scholion, inc. οὐ καλῶς εἶπας καθ' ὅλην

26. ff. 226r-227v
Τάξις καὶ χειρουργία μερισμοῦ κατὰ τὸν γεωμέτρην Πάππον
Rubric: f. 226r l. 28 Τάξις καὶ χειρουργία μερισμοῦ κατὰ τὸν γεωμέτρην Πάππον
Incipit: f. 226r Δόξει μὲν οὖν τὰ κατὰ τοὺς μερισμοὺς
Explicit: f. 227v καὶ ὁμοίως τῶν λοιπῶν γραφῶν κατὰ τόν||

The text is incomplete and is accompanied by tables

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 212-227 Western paper, folded in folio, without watermarks.

Collation

Part XI consists of 2 quaternions.

  • Quires 26-278 ff. 212-227
    • α-β

Greek signatures in brown ink, original to the production of the volume, from α to β, on the lower margin of the first leaf recto of the quires.

Later signatures in modern pencil, probably by a librarian, R, S, on the lower margin of the first leaf of the quires.

 Vertical catchwords by the scribe in the lower margin of the last verso of the quires, written from the top down.

Condition

The leaves are yellowed near the edges. The upper and right margin of f. 219r are brown and have various tears.

Layout

A single column of 33-36 lines, mostly 33. 225-230 × 140 mm.

Hand(s)

The texts are written by hand A, Nikolaos Sophianos (16th c., first half-middle) , (RGK I, 318. See also RGK II, 437; RGK III, 517).

The text is written in black and brown ink, titles and initials in red.

Decoration

Thick initials in red ink in ekthesis, sometimes very simply decorated (see f. 214r).

Some diagrams accompany the text on f. 221r.

Additions

On the lower margin, right, of the first leaf of each quire is written the number ‘14°’, probably the remains of a numbering of the manuscript's parts, see f. 212r.

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was copied by the scribe Nikolaos Sophianos, who was active in the first half of the 16th c.

Part 12 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 228r-247v]

Contents

Introduction: The leaves of part XII are not in the right order, due to the loss of the original structure and ordering of the quires (see Collation). The correct order is: ff. 233-240, 228-230, 241-242, 231-232, 243-247.

Language(s): Greek

27. ff. 233r-240v, 228r-230v, 241r-242r
Hero, of Alexandria, Pneumatica, lib. 1
Rubric: f. 233r Ἥρωνος Ἀλεξανδρέως, πνευματικῶν βιβλίον αον
Incipit: f. 233r Τῆς πνευματικῆς πραγματείας σπουδῆς ἠξιωμένης
Explicit: f. 242r βιαιοτέρα καὶ συνεχεστέρα ἡ ἐπιστροφὴ γίνηται.
Final rubric: f. 242r Τέλος

The leaves are currently not in the right order, which is ff. 233-240, 228-230, 241-242

Lacunae on, e.g.

  • f. 237v l. 22 ὁ γὰρ … σίφων ὁ ΕΖΗ (W. Schmidt, Herons von Alexandria Druckwerke und Automatentheater, Leipzig 1899, pp. 42 l. 9-46 l. 13)
  • f. 238v l. 22 σμηρισμάτιον … ᾧ ἐὰν βουλώμεθα (Schmidt 1899, pp. 54 l. 1-120 l. 1)
  • f. 240v l. 15 πίεται τὸ ζῷον … ⟨Ἐ⟩ν τοῖς Αἰγυπτίοις (Schmidt 1899, pp. 144 l. 5-148 l. 1)

The scribe has left a blank space corresponding to small lacunae in the text on ff. 238r

The blank space at 238v does not correspond to a lacuna

There are no rubrics other than the title of the work

TLG 0559.001

ff. 242v-247v are blank

28. ff. 231r-232r
Scholia on Euclid, Elements, books 5-7
Incipit: f. 231r ⟨Μ⟩έρος ἐστὶ μέγεθος μεγέθους
Explicit: f. 232r ταῦτα ἐν τοῦτῳ συνῃρημένως

  • f. 231r Scholia to book 5
  • f. 231v Scholia to book 6
  • f. 232r Scholia to book 7

First scholion E.S. Stamatis post J.L. Heiberg [ed.], Euclidis opera omnia, 5.2, Leipzig 1977, p. 283 no. 6

There are no rubrics

TLG 5022.001

f. 232v is blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 228-247 Western paper, folded in folio. Watermarks: ff. 232-247, Paschal lamb in a circle ( 42 × 42 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf, comparable to Sosower Agneau pascal 1 (dimensions are different, as well as some particulars), which is dated to 1569. f. 231, Three crescents in a shield and in a circle ( 43 × 40 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf comparable to Briquet Armoiries 1231 , which is dated to 1529/1533.

Collation

Part XII quire structure is not original. Due to the leaves' misplacement, it is not possible to ascertain the original collation of this part. The present arrangement of the quires seems to be:

  • Quire 286-1 ff. 228-232 β
  • Quire 2915 ff. 233-247

One Greek signature in black ink, original to the production of the volume, β, on the lower margin, right, recto, of f. 228r. This signature was written when the leaves were still in the right order.

Later signatures in modern pencil, probably by a librarian, on the lower margin of the first leaf of each quire:

  • T on f. 228r
  • V on f. 233r.
These signatures were written when the leaves misplacement had already taken place.

On the basis of the order of the texts, of the position of the unique extant original signature, and of the watermarks, it is possible to hypothesize a possible original structure. On f. 228r there is the signature β (2). This leaf originally, as testified by the order of the text, followed f. 240v. Heron's text starts at f. 233: ff. 233-240 could have formed originally a quaternion, as the position of the watermarks confirms, the first of this part. The present ff. 238-232 (a ternion with a missing leaf), followed, with the binion formed by ff. 241-242 within them, as the sequence of the texts testifies and the position of the watermarks confirms.

  • Quire [28]8: ff. 233-234-235-236 | 237-238-239-240 (Heron's Pneumatica I,1-32)
  • Quire [29]8-1: ff. 228-229-230-241 | 242-231-232-? ([ff. 228-242] Heron's Pneumatica I, 33-43; [ff. 231-232] Scholia on Euclid's Elements)
  • Quire [30]6-1: ff. ?-243-244 | 245-246-247 (blank leaves)

Condition

The leaves are yellowed near the edges. Worm holes in the gutter of ff. 228r-247v, and in the upper margin of ff. 242r-247v.

Layout

ff. 228r-230v, 233r-242r A single column of 30-32 lines, mostly 30. 220 × 130 mm.

ff. 231r-232r A single column of 30-33 lines. 235 × 170 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 228r-230v, 233r-242r Hand B.

The text is written in black ink.

ff. 231r-232r Hand A, Nikolaos Sophianos (16th c., first half-middle) , (RGK I, 318. See also RGK II, 437; RGK III, 517).

The text is written in brown ink.

The scribe wrote in red the title of the work copied by hand B on f. 233r.

Decoration

Two thick initials in red ink in ekthesis, one is very simply decorated, on f. 233r.

Additions

A later hand wrote annotations in Latin in order to indicate the correct sequence of texts and leaves:

  • f. 228r ‘ Tria sequentia folia sunt ex Heronis pneumaticis’
  • f. 231r ‘ In librum 5 Euclidis’
  • f. 231v ‘ In sextum’
  • f. 232r ‘ In septimum’
This hand also added in the margins the chapter numbers of Heron's work.

On the lower margin, right, of the first leaf of the quires are written the numbers

  • ‘14°’ on f. 228r
  • ‘1°’ on f. 233r,
probably the remains of a numeration of the manuscript's parts. They were written after the leaves' misplacement took place, as they are written on the first leaf of the current quires.

There are also indications of the pages of an editions of Heron's text by a later hand, in pencil.

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was copied by hand B and the scribe Nikolaos Sophianos, who was active in the first half of the 16th c.

Part 13 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Gg.2.33, ff. 248r-257v, 107r-111v]

Contents

Introduction: Some of the leaves of this part of the manuscript are misplaced, and are currently bound as ff. 107-111. The texts, all copied by Nikolaos Sophianos from MS Firenze, Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, Plut. 28.10 (see J.L. Heiberg, Euclidis opera omnia, 7, Leipzig 1895, p. XXVII), are two incomplete copies of Euclid's Optics in Theon's recension with scholia, and a fragment of Euclid's Phaenomena. The layout is very irregular.

Language(s): Greek

29. ff. 248r-251r
Euclid Euclid , Optics (revision by Theon of Alexandria), 1-12 Opticorum recensio Theonis, 1-12
Rubric: f. 248r Τὰ πρὸ τῶν Εὐκλείδου ὀπτικῶν
Incipit: f. 248r Ἀποδεικνὺς τὰ κατὰ τὴν ὄψιν παραμυθίας
Explicit: f. 251r τὰ μὲν ἐν τοῖς δεξιοῖς εἰς τὰ ἀριστερά||

The text ends at the beginning of prop. 12 (Heiberg 1895, pp. 144-170 l. 2)

The text is accompanied by scholia (TLG 5022.004): first scholion (f. 248v) inc. ‘οὐ τοῦτο ἔοικε λέγειν τὸ κατὰ συνέχειαν’ (Heiberg 1895, p. 252 nο. 1), last (f. 249v) inc. ‘ Ἴσως εἴποι τις ἄν, ὡς, ἐπειδὴ οὐ μόναι’ (Heiberg 1895, p. 254 nο. 3)

TLG 1799.010

f. 251v is blank

30. ff. 252r-253v, 107r-109r
Euclid Euclid , Optics (revision by Theon of Alexandria), 1-24 Opticorum recensio Theonis, 1-24
Rubric: f. 252r Τὰ πρὸ τῶν Εὐκλείδου ὀπτικῶν
Incipit: f. 252r Ἀποδεικνὺς τὰ κατὰ τὴν ὄψιν παραμυθίας
Explicit: f. 109r καθ’ ἓν ἄρα ἐφάπτονται||

The text ends at prop. 24 (Heiberg 1895, pp. 144-184 l. 2)

The text is accompanied by diagrams and scholia (TLG 5022.004): first scholion (f. 252r) inc. ‘οὐ τοῦτο ἔοικε λέγειν τὸ κατὰ συνέχειαν’ (Heiberg 1895, p. 252 no. 1), last (f. 109r) inc. ‘ ἑκάστην τῶν πρὸς τῷ Θ γωνιῶν ὀρθὴν’ (Heiberg 1895, p. 267 no. 41)

TLG 1799.010

f. 109v is blank

30.1. f. 253v
Optics (revision by Theon of Alexandria), pr. 1-6
Explicit: f. 265r ἄρα καὶ οὕτω φαίνεται τὰ μεγέθη

This part of the text ends at prop. 6 (Heiberg 1895, p. 162 l. 14)

30.2. ff. 107r-109r
Optics (revision by Theon of Alexandria), prop. 7-24
Incipit: f. 107r Τὰ ἐπὶ τῆς αὐτῆς εὐθείας ὄντα ἴσα μεγέθη πορρωτέρῳ

This part of the text starts at prop. 7 (Heiberg 1895, p. 162 l. 16)

31. f.110r
Euclid Euclid , ⟨ Phaenomena⟩
Incipit: f. 110r ⟨Ἐ⟩πειδὴ ὁρᾶται τὰ ἀπλανῆ ἄστρα
Explicit: f. 110r οὕτως ἀνόμοια τμήματα ποιεῖ, ὅπερ ||

There is only a part of the text, H. Menge, Euclidis opera omnia, 8, Leipzig 1916, pp. 2-6 l. 11)

TLG 1799.012

f. 110v is blank

Physical Description

Form: codex
Support: ff. 248r-257v Western paper, folded in folio. Watermarks: ff. 248r-251v, 254r-257v ff. 107r-111v Three crescents in a shield and in a circle ( 43 × 40 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf comparable to Briquet Armoiries 1231 , which is dated to 1529/1533. ff. 252r-253v Shape (shield?) surmounted by a star ( 80 × 38 mm. ) in the centre of the leaf, the watermark is not clearly visible.

Collation

Part XIII consists of 1 quinion, and a ternion, missing the 2nd leaf, without loss of text. Due to a misplacement of leaves, the two quires currently are not bound in order.

  • Quire 3010 ff. 248-257
  • Quire 146-1 ff. 107-111

Later signatures in modern pencil, probably by a librarian, on the lower margin of the first leaf, recto, of each quire:
  • W on f. 248r
  • F on f. 107r
These signatures were written when the leaves' misplacement had already taken place.

Condition

The leaves are slightly yellowed near the edges, particularly f. 248r. Brown stains on the upper edge of f. 252r, near the gutter.

Layout

The layout is very irregular, a single column of 29-32 lines (53 lines on f. 252r). 200-260 × 130-175 mm.

Hand(s)

ff. 248r-251r, 252r-253v, 107r-109r , 110r Hand A: Nikolaos Sophianos (16th c., first half- middle) (RGK I, 318. See also RGK II, 437; RGK III, 517).

The text is written in black ink, titles and initials in red. Rubrics are missing on f. 110r

The scribe wrote also some scholia in the margins at ff. 107r-109r .

Decoration

ff. 107r-109r thick initials in black ink in ekthesis, sometimes very simply decorated, see e.g. f. 249v.

There are some geometrical diagrams on ff. 252v-253v, ff. 107r-109r.

Additions

A later hand wrote annotations in Latin in black ink in order to give information about the texts in the upper margin of f. 107r, in the left margin of f. 109r.

On the lower margin, right, of f. 248r is written the number ‘6°’, probably the remains of a numbering of the manuscript's parts.

There are also indications in modern pencil in the margins, referring to the parts of the text on ff. 107r-109r.

History

Origin: This part of the manuscript was copied by the scribe Nikolaos Sophianos, who was active in the first half of the 16th c.

Additional Information

Record Sources

Description (2019) partly draws on A catalogue of the Manuscripts preserved in the Library of the University of Cambridge, vol. 3, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, 1858, pp. 58-63.

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

    A catalogue of the manuscripts preserved in the library of the University of Cambridge, (Cambridge, 3: Gg-Kk, Cambridge University Press, 1858) Euclidis Opera omnia Bibliotheca scriptorum graecorum et romanorum Teubneriana. [Scriptores graeci], , (Lipsiae, 7, in aedibus BGTeubneri, 1895) Musici scriptores graeci, , (Lipsiae, Teubner, 1899) The tradition of the minor Greek geographers Philological monographs ; no. 14, Diller, Aubrey, 1903- (Lancaster, Pa, no. 14, American Philological Association,, 1952) Codices Vossiani graeci et miscellanei Codices manuscripti Rijksuniversiteit te Leiden. Bibliotheek, Meyier, K. A. de (Lugduni Batavorum, In Bibliotheca Universitatis, 1955) Έλληνες κωδικογράφοι των χρόνων της Aναγέννησης Επετηρίς Μεσαιωνικού Αρχείου, Patrinelis, Christos (8-9, 63-124, 1958) On some manuscripts of Heron, 'Pneumatica' Scriptorium: Revue internationale des études relatives aux manuscrits, Smith, Ole Langwitz (27, 96-101, 1973) Deux contributions à l'histoire de la géographie Travaux et mémoires. Centre de recherches d’histoire et de civilisation byzantines, Wolska-Conus, Wanda (5, 259-279, 1973) Specimen eines Repertoriums der griechischen Kopisten. Jahrbuch der österreichischen Byzantinistik, Gamillscheg, ErnstHarlfinger, Dieter (27, 293-322, 1978) Repertorium der griechischen Kopisten, 800-1600. I. Grossbritannien Veröffentlichungen der Kommission für Byzantinistik, Gamillscheg, ErnstHarlfinger, Dieter (Wien, Verlag der Österreichischen Akademie der Wissenschaften, 1981) Traité de l'astrolabe Astrolabica, , , Segonds, A. Ph (Paris, Société internationale de l'astrolabe, 1981) Studies in Greek manuscript tradition, Diller, Aubrey (Amsterdam, Hakkert,, 1983) Tribiblos astronomique Corpus des astronomes byzantins, , (Amsterdam, Gieben, 1990) Isaak Argyros' Abhandlung ueber die Kegelprojektion I in der Geographia des Klauidios Ptolemaios Palaeoslavica, Laue, W.Makris, G. (10, 1, 226-245, 2002) The Greek Manuscripts of John Moore and Etienne Baluze Codices Manuscripti, , (56/57, 29-42, 2006) Les "Prolégomènes à l'Almageste". Une édition à partir des manuscrits les plus anciens Sciamvs, Acerbi, FabioVinel, NicolasVitrac, Bernard (11, september 2010, 2010, 2019-10-30T10:42:49Z, https://halshs.archives-ouvertes.fr/halshs-00594337) Traité de l'astrolabe, Philoponus, John (Paris, Les Belles Lettres, 2015) Introduction to Astronomy by Theodore Metochites, (Singapore, World Scientific Publishing, 2017) La biblioteca manuscrita griega de Diego Hurtado de Mendoza: problemas y prospectivas Segno e testo, Martínez Manzano, T. (16, 315-433, 2018) Tra i libri di Isacco Argiro, Gioffreda, A. (Berlin/Boston, De Gruyter, 2020) Alcune riflessioni sulla produzione scritta di Costantino Mesobote da codici Ambrosiani Griechisch-byzantinische Handschriftenforschung. Traditionen, Entwicklungen, neue Wege, Martinelli Tempesta, S. (Berlin - Munich - Boston, 215-231, De Gruyter, 2020)

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