Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.3.17
Diktyon no.: Diktyon 12247
Contents
Language(s): Greek
Physical Description
i-ii + 1-72, 72bis, 73-88 | 1-78 + iii-iv
Two modern independent foliations in pencil in Arabic numerals in the top right-hand corner, recto, restarting at the beginning of Part 2.
A foliation in brown ink in Greek numerals in the lower margin, recto (but α on f. 1v), starts at the beginning of Part 2, from α to οη, coherently with the foliation in Arabic numerals.
Collation
Nn.3.17.1 consists of 17 quires, Nn.3.17.2 of 12: 18-4, 2-38, 48-2, 52, 6-88, 98-2, 10-154, 164-1, 174 | 186, 19-2010, 216, 2210-1, 232, 244, 252, 268, 27-288, 298-1.
Binding
Binding with pale brown full skin covering over couched-laminate boards. The covering of the previous binding has been glued to the new. A gold rectangle is tooled on both boards and there is decorative tooling on the board edge. The title (Aeschylus) and the classmark are tooled in gold on the spine on two portions of leather painted black; the classmark is tooled on the left board as well. Marbled papers is used as pastedowns with blank leaves.
The binding was repaired by Douglas Cockerell and Son, Grantchester, December, 1964 (see f. [a] verso).
210 × 160 × 45 mm.
History
Provenance and Acquisition
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) , who bought them on Mount Athos or from a dealer with access to Mt Athos monasteries (see CUL Nn.3.15). 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. Askew described Nn.3.17.1 and Nn.3.17.2 in notes made in his copy of Aischylou tragodiai hepta = Aeschyli tragoediæ septem: cum scholiis Graecis omnibus: deperditorum dramatum fragmentis, ed. by Thomas Stanley (London, 1663) (now CUL Adv.a.51.1) as follows: ‘Codex MS. chartaceus in 4to. penes cels. medicum Ricardum Mead, quem ipse ab aliquot ex Monte Athos emerat. Continent Prometheum Vinctum, Persas, et Septem contra Thebas; videtur habere circiter 400 annos. Alius codex MS. chartaceus in 4to. repositus in Bibliotheca splendidissima Ricardi Mead. Continet tres priores Tragoedias, et habet circiter 300 annos. Hujus autem codicis et M 1. collactionem confecimus, AD 1744/5 Mense Februarii.’
After Askew's death, the manuscripts were sold by G. Leigh and J. Sotheby in the auction of his library in 1785 (Nn.3.17 Lot. n. 545), 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 inside front board.
Part 1 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.3.17.1, ff. 1r-88v]
Contents
Language(s): Greek
The text start on CUL Nn.3.14 f. 121v.
TLG 4141.001
TLG 5014.005
followed by the list of characters of the play
TLG 0085.018
extensive scholia and interlinear glosses in red ink accompany the text
TLG 5010.005
cf. DBBE Type 3434
the first two lines are repeated in cryptography on margin of f. 33v by a later hand, that also transcribed the cryptographic correspondence on f. 85v.
TLG 5010.001
followed by the list of characters of the play
TLG 0085.013
extensive scholia and interlinear glosses in red and brown ink accompany the text.
TLG 7052.004
TLG 5010.006
TLG 0085.012
extensive scholia and interlinear glosses in brown ink accompany the text
Physical Description
Collation
Part 1 is now made up of 8 quaternions, one bifolium and 8 binions, with different folios cut or replaced without any loss of text. This condition is due to the breaking up of the original manuscript and the further interventions of binding and conservation.
- Quire 18-4 ff. 1r-4v (the first half of this quaterion is made up of Nn.3.14.1, ff. 118-121, without any loss of text between Nn.3.14.1, f. 121v and Nn.3.17.1, f. 1r)
- Quires 2-38 ff. 5r-20v
- Quire 48-2 ff. 21r-26v
- Quire 52 ff. 27r-28v
- Quires 6-88 ff. 29r-52v
- Quire 98-2 ff. 53r-58v
- Quires 10-154 ff. 59r-81v
- Quire 164-1 ff. 82r-84v
- Quire 174 ff. 85r-88v
A quire signature in Greek numerals in brown ink from the original manuscript (Nn.3.15.1 Part 1b + Nn.3.14 Part 1 + Nn.3.17.1) remains on the lower margin of f. 60v: λϛ. This signature survives on the lower margin of the folio along with a drawing (Arabic?). It seems that the margin was folded rather than cut to conform with the present size of the manuscript when the manuscript was bound, in order to preserve the drawing and the signature (cf. Smith 1970).
Condition
In fair general condition. Leaves are yellow with age; there are stains, extended worm holes in the upper margins. The last folios (ff. 85-88) have lost considerable portions of the margins, which have been reconstructed.
Layout
ff. 1r-88v: 160 × 65 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 A: ff. 2r-30v, ff. 32r-60v, and ff. 62r-88v
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 appearing only at the end of lines. Breathings are curved and mute iota is rarely used.
The small majuscules beta, gamma, eta, kappa phi are present. Gamma and tau are often high. The majuscule beta has often a curled bilobate shape and unlike the other parts of the original manuscript (see below), here it presents, especially if in the first line of text, an extremely enlarged shape in the upper margin, with inclusions of the following letters (e.g. f. 27v). 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 frequently flourished into the lower and upper margins.
This hand is 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 B: Ioannes Zeianos: scholia.
The names of Ioannes Zeianos (PLP n. 6516) appears on f. 60v in a monocondylion and within a tail on the lower margin of CUL Nn.3.15.1, f. 89r, as owner of the original manuscript: ἰωάννης ὁ ζειανὸς ὁ κτήτωρ τοῦδε τοῦ βιβλίου. He 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 others of smaller module.
On the identity of Ioannes Zeianos, see Smith 1992, p. 223-225.
Hand C: Vita Aeschylis and hypothesis ff. 1r-1v, 31r, 61r, and the interlinear glosses in red ink
The hypotesis and the Vita Aeschylis 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 smaller number of ligatures. The transcribed folios have a yellow grid above the writing.
This hand is present in CUL Nn.3.14, and CUL Nn.3.15.1, and designated as Hand D of the original manuscript (see Günther 1995).
Decoration
The beginning of the texts on ff. 1r, 2r, 31r, 32r, 61r and 62r are preceded by headpieces in red ink with weave decoration, or rectangular shape with small palms. The headpiece on f. 2r is made up of interwoven circles with bird figures and floral motifs inside. The headpiece of f. 62r has been copied by a reader on the margin.
Some small tailpieces have been added in brown ink by a different hand: 30v, 60v (a snake).
The texts on ff. 1r, 2r, 32r, 62r, begin with ornate initials, outlined in red ink.
Additions
One or more readers have added some sketches: Orestes on 71v, 72bis r, 83v, and a ship on f. 5r.
History
The manuscript can be located at the Dionysiou Monastery of 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 set up in 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.3.17.1, ff. 1r-78v]
Contents
Language(s): Greek
TLG 4141.001
TLG 5014.005
TLG 0085.018
preceded by the list of characters of the play
extensive scholia and interlinear glosses accompany the text
TLG 5010.001
TLG 0085.013
preceded by the list of characters of the play
extensive scholia and interlinear glosses accompany the text
TLG 0085.012
preceded by the list of characters of the play
etensive scholia and interlinear glosses accompany the text
Physical Description
Collation
Part 2 of the manuscript consists of one binion, 2 ternions, 4 quaternions, 3 quinions and 2 bifolia:
- Quire 186 ff. 1r-6v
- Quires 19-2010 ff. 7r-24v
- Quire 216 ff. 25r-30v
- Quire 2210-1 ff. 31r-39v
- Quire 232 ff. 40r-41v
- Quire 244 ff. 42r-45v
- Quire 252 ff. 46r-47v
- Quire 268 ff. 48r-55v
- Quires 27-288 ff. 56r-71v
- Quire 298-1 ff. 72r-78v
There is a folio signature in Greek numerals from α to οη in brown ink in the lower margin of the rectos (except for the first α on f. 1v)
Condition
In fair general condition. Leaves are yellow with age; there are stains, extended wormholes in the upper margins. The outer margin of f. 67 have been cut and reconstructed.
Layout
Ff. 1r-78v: 160 × 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.
Hand(s)
Hand D: ff. 1r-78v
The main texts and the scholia are written in a mixed minuscule upright or slanting slightly to the right, in dark brown ink. The ductus is cursive.
The variation in letter size is not marked. 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, lambda, pi phi are present. Gamma and tau are often high. Alpha is often enlarged; epsilon is both regular minuscule and lunate. The open shape of theta is present only if ligated. The sigma has both lunate and regular shapes, but the sigma telikon is not present. Omega is closed and often ligated to the previous letter from below.
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.
The same hand has written the interlinear glosses in smaller size.
Decoration
The beginning of the texts on ff. 1r, 2r are preceded by weave decorations, or rectangular shape in red ink with floral motifs. The lists of characters on ff. 30r and 56r are surrounded by a frame with stylized leaves in red ink.
Two tailpieces in black and brown ink by two different hands are present on f. 55r.
Enlarged ornamental initials, outlined in red ink on ff. 1r, 1v, 2r, 30r and 56r.
Additions
One or more readers have added two small sketches: a dog on f. 7v, a face on f. 55v.
History
The characteristics of the script suggest that it was produced in the second half of 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
-
Anthony Askew's "Liber amicorum" Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society, Stubbings, Frank (6, 5, 306-321, 1976)
Notes on manuscripts of Aeschylus Serta Turyniana: studies in Greek literature and
palaeography in honor of Alexander Turyn, Page, Denys (Urbana, 227-238, University of Illinois Press, 1974)
On the Problem of a Thoman Recension of Aristophanes Greek, Roman, and Byzantine Studies, Smith, Ole Langwitz (17, 1, 75-80, 1976)
Notes and observations on some manuscripts of the scholia on Aeschylus Classica et
mediaevalia, Smith, O. L. (31, 14-48, 1970)
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)
A catalogue of the manuscripts preserved in the library of the University of Cambridge, (Cambridge, 4, Cambridge University Press, 1861)
The Byzantine manuscript tradition of the tragedies of Euripides, Turyn, Alexander (Urbana, University of Illinois Press, 1957)
The manuscript tradition of the tragedies of Aeschylus, Turyn, Alexander (New York City, Polish Institute of Arts and Sciences in America,
1943)
The manuscripts and the transmission of the Paleologan scholia on the Euripidean triad, Günther, Hans Christian (Stuttgart, Franz Steiner Verlag, 1995)
The collation and investigation of manuscripts of Aeschylus., Dawe, R. D. (Cambridge, Cambridge University Pres, 1964)
Scholia graeca in Aeschylum quae exstant omnia. Pars 2. Fasc. 2, Scholia in Septem
adversus Thebas
continens, Smith, Ole Langwitz (Leipzig, Teubner, 1982)
Tricliniana II Classica et mediaevalia, Smith, O. L. (43, 187-229, 1992)
Catalogue of the Manuscripts of Aeschylus Harvard Studies in Classical Philology, Smyth, Herbert Weir (44, 1-62, 1933)
The older scholia on the Prometheus Bound, Herington, C. J (Leiden, E.J. Brill, 1972)
Funding of Cataloguing
The Polonsky Foundation
Digital Images
Abbreviations
View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.
