Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.3.15
Diktyon no.: 12245
Contents
- Part Ia: Nn.3.15.1, ff. 1:2r-2:30v (15th century);
- Part Ib: Nn.3.15.1, ff. 1:50r-1:114v (14th century);
- Part II Nn.3.15.2, ff. 2:1r-2:152v (15th century).
Language(s): Greek
Physical Description
[i-ii] + 2-30 | 50-55, 57-114 | 1-152 + [iii-iv]
Two modern independent foliations in pencil in Arabic numerals in the top right-hand corner, recto, restarting at the beginning of Part II.
Folio numbers 1, 31-49, 56 of Parts Ia and Ib are assigned to leaves no longer present in the volume, according to the interpretation of the manuscript's collation (as per historic foliation practice at Cambridge University Library).
There are few examples of a previous struck out foliation in Nn.3.15.1, ff. 22r-30r, 50r, 71r, 76r; the 1861 catalogue refers to this foliation.
Collation
Nn.3.15.1 consists of 13 quires (4 + 9), Nn.3.15.2 of 20: 18-1, 2-38, 48-2 | 58-2, 6-128, 134-2 | 14-218, 228-3, 234, 2410, 25-328, 338-2.
Henry Bradshaw added the bifolium signatures and a note on collation on the flyleaf at the end, and notes throughout the manuscript on the lost and cancelled folios, as well as indications of line numbers.
Binding
Bound with pale brown full skin covering over couched-laminate boards. Tailband is partially detached.
There is decorative tooling on boards, spine and on the board edge. Raised bands are worn-out, but a little trace of decorative tooling is preserved.
The title (Aristophanis Plutus, Nubes, Ranæ. Plutus, Nubes, Ranæ) is tooled in gold on the spine.
Marbled paper is used as pastedowns with blank leaves.
210 × 175 × 55 mm.
History
Provenance and Acquisition
Both Nn.3.15.1 and Nn.3.15.2 used to belong to the Dionysiou Monastery on Mount Athos: on Nn.3.15.2, f. 2:4r is a note of the monastery's ownership: ‘κτῆμα μονῆς τοῦ κυρίου Διονυσίου’. The same note is found in CUL MS Ff.4.47, f. 23v , CUL MS Nn.3.16, f. 1:3v and CUL MS Add. 2603, f. 2r.
Antonios Triphillis, who was an educated Greek of the diaspora active in the first half of 18th century, may have been a dealer with access to Mt Athos monasteries or a collector, whose books were sold abroad. The note on Nn.3.15.1, f. 1:2r, ‘απο του δεονισιου νουμερο 8’ (sic), was in all likelihood added by Triphillis along with his seal. Similar inscriptions, by the same hand, can be found in CUL MS Add. 2603, f. 459v (νουμερο 7) and CUL MS Nn.3.3, f. 1r (νουμερο 11), which both also have the seal impression.
Three manuscripts - CUL MS Nn.3.14, CUL MS Nn.3.15 and CUL MS Nn.3.17 - all belonged to the physician Richard Mead (1673-1754) . The original manuscript, made up of the parts now spread across the three classmarks, seems to have been divided before Mead bought it.
The manuscripts later entered the library of Anthony Askew (1722-1774) , physician and book collector.
After Askew's death, the manuscripts were sold by G. Leigh and J. Sotheby in the auction of his library in 1785 (Nn.3.15 can be identified as lot no. 555), and eventually bought by Richard Farmer for Cambridge University Library. The University of Cambridge general bookplate (engraved by William Jackson in 1706-1707) was added on the front pastedown.
Part 1a [Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.3.15.1, ff. 1:2r-1:30v]
Contents
Language(s): Greek
Extensive scholia and interlinear glosses accompany the text
TLG 0019.029
TLG 5014.005
followed by the list of characters of the play
Glosses in brown ink on ff. 27v-28r
TLG 0019.021
Physical Description
Collation
Part Ia of the manuscript consists of 4 quaternions:
- Quire 18-1 ff. 1:2r-1:8v (the first leaf missing);
- Quires 2-38 ff. 1:9r-1:24v;
- Quire 48-2 ff. 1:25r-1:30v (the sixth leaf cancelled, without any loss of text, a stub preserved between ff. 1:29v and 30r; the eighth leaf missing).
A bifolium signature (Latin letters for quires, followed by an asterisk and Arabic numerals for bifolios) in pencil in the lower right-hand corner of the rectos of the first four folios, followed by a cross on the fifth, was added by Henry Bradshaw: a*-d*.
Condition
In fair condition. Leaves are yellow with age; there are extensive stains and wormholes, several holes on f. 1:2 and a burn hole on f. 1:30.
Layout
ff. 1:2r-1:30v: 140 × 70 mm. Scholia that accompany the main texts have a very variable number of lines per page, and are arranged in an orderly manner.
Hand(s)
Hand A: ff. 2r-1:30v
The texts and scholia are written in a mixed minuscule in an upright, scribal hand, in brown ink script.
The writing is of reduced size and the lines are close together, leaving no room for interlinear glosses. The ductus is cursive.
There is a moderate variation in letter size. Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings are rare, and usually appear only at the end of lines. Breathings are curved and mute iota is not used.
The small majuscules beta, gamma, delta, phi are present. The majuscule beta has a curled bilobate shape, and epsilon is both regular minuscule and lunate. The sigma telikon is present along with regular shape.
Ligatures of tau with alpha or omega are from the bottom.
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper point, lower comma and full stop.
Decoration
Enlarged ornamental initial, outlined in red ink on ff. 2r and 23r.
The thick red-ink initials mark the beginning of the hypothesis and of most of the scholia.
Additions
f. 1:2r A small fragment of red wax seal on the lower margin, nearly lost in trimming: a small Greek cross is visible; the same seal is preserved on CUL MS Nn.3.3, f. 1r, and CUL MS Add. 2603, f. 459v; in the latter the legend ‘+ | ΑΝΤΟΝΙ⟨ΟΥ⟩ | ΤΡΙΦΙΛΙ | 1713’ is readable, accompanied by an inscription dated 18th July 1739, in the same hand as the inscription on Nn.3.15.1 f. 1:2r (see below). The same seal can be found on Leiden, Bibliotheek der Rijksuniversiteit, BPG 74 G , f. 1*r, and traces of its impression can be also found on London, British Library, Add. MS 5153A , f. 5v.
History
The characteristics of the script and the watermarks suggest that it was produced in the second half of 15th century.
Part 1b [Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.3.15.1, ff. 1:50r-1:114v]
Contents
Language(s): Greek
Extensive scholia in brown and red ink and interlinear glosses accompany the text. Due to the loss of f. 56, the text goes from line 741 on f. 1:55v to line 782 f. 1:57r
TLG 0019.021
TLG 5014.029
Extensive scholia in brown ink and interlinear glosses in red ink accompany the text
TLG 0019.027
Prosody symbols added between the lines.
Physical Description
Collation
Part Ib of the manuscript consists of 9 quaternions:
- Quire 58-2 ff. 1:50r-1:55v;
- Quires 6-128 ff. 1:57r-1:112v;
- Quire 134-2 ff. 1:113r-1:114v.
A bifolium signature (Latin letters for quires, followed by an asterisk and Arabic numerals for bifolios) in pencil in the lower right-hand corner of the rectos of the first four folios, followed by a cross on the fifth, was added by Henry Bradshaw: g, h, i, k, l, n, o, p.
Some leaves show traces of a leaf signature in Greek numerals in light brown ink on the upper outer corner of the rectos, in all likelihood postdating the writing of the original codex (Nn.3.15.1 Part Ib + Nn.3.14 Part I + Nn.3.17.1) and predating the division into three units. Most of them have been lost to cropping or damage. They survive on ff.: 91r πδ, 92r πε, 93r π⟨ϛ⟩, 94r π⟨ζ⟩, 99r ϟ⟨β⟩, 100r ϟ⟨γ⟩, 101r ϟ⟨δ⟩, 102r ϟ⟨ε⟩, from 104r to 110r ϟζ - ργ, 111r ρ⟨δ⟩. There are some difficult to read traces on ff. 1:70r, 1:72r and 1:74r.
Condition
In fair condition. Leaves are yellow with age; there are stains, extended wormholes in the upper inner corner, a tear on f. 1:104 and repaired tears on f. 1:106.
Layout
ff. 1:1r-1:121v: written space 170 × 70 mm. Scholia and prefatory materials that accompany the main texts have a very variable number of lines per page, and are arranged in an orderly manner.
f. 1:76: 150 × 110 mm.
Hand(s)
Hand B: ff. 1:50r-1:75v and ff. 1:76v-1:114r.
The main texts are written in a mixed minuscule in an upright, scribal hand, in brown ink script.
There is a marked variation in letter size. Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings are rare, and usually appear only at the end of lines. Breathings are curved and mute iota is rarely used.
The small majuscules beta, gamma, eta, kappa and phi are present. Gamma and tau are often high. The majuscule beta has a curled bilobate shape, and epsilon is both regular minuscule and lunate. The sigma telikon is not present.
Phi-rho ligature is in two strokes and overlapping. Ligatures of tau with alpha or omicron are from the bottom, in a characteristic Z-shape.
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper point, lower comma and full stop.
Tails are occasionally flourished into the lower margins.
The same hand has written the interlinear glosses in red ink.
The rubrics and final rubrics on ff. 1:50r, 1:76v and 1:114v are by the same hand in epigraphic display majuscule.
This hand is also present in CUL Nn.3.14 (ff. 1r-121v) and CUL Nn.3.17.1 (ff. 1r-88v), and designated as Hand B of the original manuscript (see Günther 1995).
Hand C: Ioannes Zeianos: f. 1:76r, Hypothesis on Ranae and scholia.
The name of Ioannes Zeianos (PLP n. 6516) appears on the lower margin of f. 1:89r, within a tail and on CUL MS Nn.3.17.1, f. 60v, as the owner of the original manuscript: ἰωάννης ὁ ζειανὸς ὁ κτήτωρ τοῦδε τοῦ βιβλίου. He is also designated as Hand C of the original manuscript (see Günther 1995)
His hand presents the main characteristics of the Fettaugen mode, performed with order and clarity, with numerous inclusions, large letters combined with other smaller ones.
On the identity of Ioannes Zeianos, see Smith 1992, pp. 223-225.
Hand D: f. 1:114v
Final notes are written in a mixed minuscule in an upright, scribal hand, in brown ink script.
There is a marked variation in letter size. Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings are common. Breathings are curved and mute iota is rarely used.
It seems to follow the same model as Zeianos, but in a very small size and with a much lower number of ligatures. The transcribed folios have a yellow grid above the writing.
This hand is also present on CUL Nn.3.14, and CUL MS Nn.3.17.1, and designated as Hand D of the original manuscript (see Günther 1995).
Decoration
The beginning of the texts on ff. 1:76r, 1:76v and 1:114r are preceded by rectangular headpieces in red ink.
The texts on ff. 1: 76r, 1:76v, begin with ornate initials, outlined in red ink; the horizontal line of the lunate epsilon on f. 1:76v is rendered with one hand.
History
The manuscript was at the Dionysiou Monastery on Mount Athos, and thanks to the name of Zeianos and the textual characteristics, it is possible to assume that it arrived there from Thessaloniki, and that it was produced according to the practice of the scriptorium of Demetrius Triclinius , or in a scriptorium connected with him.
The characteristics of the script and the watermarks suggest that it was produced during the early 14th century, probably before 1325.
Part 2 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.3.15.1, ff. 2:1r-2:152v]
Contents
Language(s): Greek
TLG 4158.009
(no. ΧΧΧΙΙ 1.2 ed. Koster 1975, Scholia in Aristophanem Ι.1.a)Ff. 2:1v-1:2r blank.
Added by a 17th-century hand.
Extensive scholia ascribed to Thomas Magistros and interlinear glosses accompany the text. Scholia on l. 1, f. 2:3r copied by a later hand on f. 2:2v: ὁρῶν ὁ Καρίων etc., see Σ1b, ed. Chantry 1996, Scholia in Aristophanem III.4.b; Ἀργαλέον ἀντὶ τοῦ χαλεπόν· εἴρηται δὲ ἀπὸ τοῦ ἄλγους etc., cf. Suda, apha no. 3756 Adler.
TLG 0019.029
TLG 5014.005
(Arg. Ia Koster 1974, Scholia in Aristophanem I.3.2)followed by the list of characters of the play
Extensive scholia in brown ink and interlinear glosses accompany the text. Quire 25 (ff. 2:84r-2:91v) is folded inside out, but the foliation numbers and quire signature run consistently with the text. f. 2:83v ends at line 1074 and is followed by the sequence: 2:88r-2:91v (lines 1190-1309), 2:84r-2:87v (lines 1075-1189). This arrangement precedes the existing binding, and a reader has noted the the reading order of the folios in Greek on the lower margin of f. 2:83v (‘τὰ ἐλλείποντα ζήτει ἔπροσθεν φύλλα δ'· ἀρχὴ εἰς το ε' φύλλον’), 91v (‘καὶ αὖθις ἔμπροσθεν φύλλα δ'’), and 87v (‘ζήτει ὄπισθεν φύλλα η'’).
TLG 0019.021
TLG 5014.029
(ed. Chantry 2001, Scholia in Aristophanem III.1.b)followed by the list of characters of the play
Extensive scholia ascribed to Thomas Magistros in brown ink accompany the text. The order of the folios and quires is greatly disturbed, but the foliation numbers and quire signature run consistently with the text. Quire 30 (ff. 136r-135v) is folded inside out: f. 2:131v (quire 29) ends at lines 929 and is followed by 2:136r-2:139v (lines 1049-1168), 2:132r-2:135v (lines 930-1048). Quire 31 (ff. 2:108-2:115, lines 239-479) is misplaced after f. 2:135v.
TLG 0019.027
on f. 2:152v a later hand with uncertain strokes traced attempts at cryptography.
Physical Description
Collation
Part II of the manuscript consists of 18 quaternions, one binion and one quinion:
- Quires 14-218 ff. 2:1r-2:64v;
- Quire 228-3 ff. 2:65r-2:69v (the sixth, seventh and eighth leaves are cancelled, without any loss of text; stubs are preserved between ff. 2:69v and 2:70r);
- Quire 234 ff. 2:70r-2:73v;
- Quire 2410 ff. 2:74r-2:83v (the last leaf has been substituted; stubs are preserved between ff. 2:73v and 2:74r, and 2:82v and 2:83r);
- Quires 25-328 ff. 2:84r-2:147v (quires 25 and 30 are folded inside out; quire 31 is misplaced);
- Quire 338-2 ff. 2:148r-2:152v.
There is a bifolium signature (Latin letters for quires and Arabic numerals for bifolios) by Henry Bradshaw in pencil in the lower right-hand corner of the rectos: a-i, ii, k-n, p-r, o, s, t.
Condition
In good condition. Leaves are yellow with age; there are stains and wormholes.
Layout
ff. 2:1r-2:152v: 150 × 80 mm. Scholia and prefatory materials that accompany the main texts have a very variable number of lines per page, and are arranged in an orderly manner.
Hand(s)
Hand Ε: ff. 2:1r-2:152v
The main texts are written in a mixed minuscule upright or slanting slightly to the right, in dark brown ink. The ductus is cursive.
There is a marked variation in letter size. Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings are rare, and usually appear only at the end of lines. Breathings are curved and mute iota is rarely used.
The small majuscules beta, gamma, eta, kappa and phi are present. Gamma and tau are often high. Alpha is enlarged if it is at the beginning of a line, and drawn in two shapes, one rounded one and one with a long oblique stroke. The majuscule beta has a bilobate shape, and epsilon is both regular minuscule and lunate. Theta is open and ligated to the previous letter. The sigma telikon is not present. Omega is open and often enlarged.
Double lambda ligature is overlapping. Ligatures of rho with alpha or omicron are from the bottom.
Punctuation used includes the middle and upper point, lower comma and full stop.
Tails are often flourished into the lower margins.
The same hand has written the interlinear glosses in a smaller size.
Decoration
The beginning of the texts on ff. 2:47r, 2:47v and 2:48r are preceded by rectangular headpieces in red ink.
Enlarged ornamental initial, outlined in red ink on ff. 2:1r, 2:3r, 2:99r and bigger on ff. 2:23r, 2:47v and 2:48r.
The thick red-ink initials mark the beginning of the the scholia.
History
The characteristics of the script and the watermarks suggest that it was produced at the end of the 15th century, probably after 1475.
Additional Information
Record Sources
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, vol. 4, Cambridge University Press, 1861)
The Manuscripts of Aristophanes. I Classical Philology, White, John Williams (1, 1, 1906, 1-20)
The Byzantine manuscript tradition of the tragedies of Euripides, Turyn, Alexander (Urbana, University of Illinois Press, 1957)
De priore recensione thomana Aristophanis Mnemosyne, Koster, W. J. W. (17, 4, 1964, 337-366, http://www.jstor.org/stable/4428990)
Notes and observations on some manuscripts of the scholia on Aeschylus Classica et
mediaevalia, Smith, O. L. (31, 1970, 14-48)
Scholia in Aristophanem. Pars 1, Prolegomena de comoedia, Scholia in Acharnenses,
Equites, Nubes. Fasc.
3(2), continens Scholia recentiora in Nubes, Koster, Willem Johann Wolff (Groningen, Bouma's Boekhuis, 1974)
Anthony Askew's "Liber amicorum" Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society, Stubbings, Frank (6, 5, 1976, 306-321)
On the Problem of a Thoman Recension of Aristophanes Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies, Smith, Ole Langwitz (17, 1, 1976, 75-80)
Studies in the manuscript tradition of the Ranae of Aristophanes, Eberline, Charles N (Meisenheim am Glan, Hain, 1979)
Clouds / Aristophanes, (Oxford, Clarendon Press, 1989)
Tricliniana II Classica et mediaevalia, Smith, O. L. (43, 1992, 187-229)
The manuscripts and the transmission of the Paleologan scholia on the Euripidean triad, Günther, Hans Christian (Stuttgart, Franz Steiner Verlag, 1995)
From Britain to Byzantium: the study of Greek manuscripts Through the looking glass:
Byzantium through British eyes: papers from the twenty-ninth Spring Symposium
of Byzantine Studies, London, March 1995 Society for the Promotion of Byzantine Studies
publications, Easterling, P. E. (Aldershot, Ashgate, 2000)
Funding of Cataloguing
The Polonsky Foundation
Digital Images
Abbreviations
View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.
