Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries: Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.4.8

Diktyon no.: Diktyon 12252

Introduction: Nn.4.8 is a composite manuscript consisting of two original parts, containing mainly texts of Ephraem Syrus and moral texts. The second part (ff. 81-172) is noteworthy being a palimpsest, but the CUL 19th-century catalogue failed to notice this because of the low quality of the parchment and the darkness of the upper layer of script. The original ruling of the lower layer of script is markedly visible throughout the second part and perpendicular to the upper text, but the lower text is visible only on ff. 168r-169v: Natalia Tchernetska in 2002 recognised a fragment of Gregory of Nazianzus in the lower text. Both parts are examples of low quality manuscripts for personal use; the first part and the upper script of the second part were written in the 13th or 14th century, in the second part, the lower text dates from the 8th or 9th centuries. Dr Matteo Di Franco

Language(s): Greek

Physical Description

Form: codex

Extent: iii + 172 + iii leaves. 161-170 × 116 mm.

Foliation:

[i-iii] + 1-24, [25], 26-80 | 81-172 + [iv-vi]

Modern foliation in pencil in Arabic numerals in the top right-hand corner, recto. In Part II an erroneous modern foliation is struck out and replaced.

Collation

Part I consists of 10 quires, Part II of 11: 1-10⁸ | 11¹², 12-15⁸, 16¹⁰, 17-19⁸, 20⁶, 21⁸.

Binding

The manuscript has been rebacked, reusing the 18th-century leather to cover the boards. The original spine is stuck inside the book on the right pastedown. Boards with pale brown full skin covering over couched-laminate boards. A gold rectangle is tooled on both boards and there is decorative tooling on the board edge. The title (Ephraemus Cyrus &c.) and the classmark are tooled in gold on the spine. Marbled papers is used as pastedowns with blank leaves.

The binding was repaired in 1959, the name of the binder is lost (see upper left-hand corner of f. [i] verso).

188 × 139 × 68 mm.

History

Provenance and Acquisition

The manuscript comes from the library of Anthony Askew (1722-1774) , physician and book collector.

It was probably acquired by Askew from Joannes Caravallas , whose name is present on ff. 1r (‘Προτοιερ...κηρ.. Ιωαννης’, perhaps πρωτοιεροκῆρυξ) and 31r (‘Ιωαννης Καραβέλας’). He was a priest from Arta in Epiros (Greece), and came to England in the retinue of Askew.

After Askew's death, the manuscripts were sold by G. Leigh and J. Sotheby in the auction of his library in 1785 (Nn.4.8 Lot n. 617), 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 inside front board.

Part 1 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.3.18, ff. 1r-80v]

Language(s): Greek

1.1. ff. 1r-2v

Sermo de virtutibus et vitiis, cap. XXI De temperantia et continentia Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Rubric: f. 1r Τοῦ ὁσίου πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἐφραὶμ λόγος περὶ ἐγκρατείας

Incipit: f. 1r Μακάριος ἀληθῶς καὶ τρισμακάριος ὁ ἐγκράτειαν φυλάξας ὅτι ὄντως μεγάλη ἀρετὴ ἡ ἐγκράτεια

Explicit: f. 2v ἐπὶ πάσης ἐπιθυμίας κρατεῖ· ἐπιθυμία τοῦ κρείττονος καὶ φόβω τοῦ μέλλοντος αἰῶνος

ed. Assemani, vol. I (1732), p. 15-16

CPG 3905

TLG 4138.001

1.2. ff. 2v-15v line 13

Sermo compunctorius Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373, De compunctione animae

Rubric: f. 2v Τοῦ ὁσίου πατρὸς ἡμῶν Ἐφρὲμ λόγος κατανυκτίκος

Incipit: f. 2v Δεῦτε ἀγαπητοί, δεῦτε π(ατέ)ρες καὶ ἀδελφοί, τὸ ἐκλεκτὸν ποίμνιον τοῦ π(ατ)ρ(ό)ς

Explicit: f. 15v lines 6-13 χλευάζει γὰρ πάντας τοὺς ἀγαπῶντας αὐτόν. ἡμεῖς δὲ σπουδάσωμεν ἐπιλαβέσθαι τῆς αἰωνίου ζωῆς· τῆς μετὰ ἀγγέλων χορίας· τῆς μετὰ χ(ριστο)ῦ διαγωγῆς, ὅτι αὐτῶ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος· σὺν τῷ π(ατ)ρὶ καὶ τῶι ὑιῶ. καὶ τῶ ἁγίω πν(εύματ)ι εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμήν

ed. Assemani, vol. I (1732), p. 28-40

CPG 3908

TLG 4138.004

1.3. ff. 15v line 13-16r

De timore Dei Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Incipit: || f. 15v Καὶ ἄκουε τὴν φωνὴν τοῦ ἀληθινοῦ δεσπότου εἰπόντος· γρηγορεῖται οὖν καὶ προσεὔχεσθαι

Explicit: f. 16r φοβοῦ δὲ τὸν κ(ύριο)ν, ἐν ὅλη δυνάμει σου· καὶ μὴ ζηλοῦ τὰ ἔργα τῶν ἀσεβῶν· ὅτι τὸ πῦρ αὐτῶν οὐ σβεσθήσεται· καὶ ὁ σκώληξ αὐτῶν οὐ τελευτήσει. ὅτι τῶ ἁγίω(?) θ(ε)ῶ ἡμων, εἴη ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων, ἀμήν

ed. Assemani, vol. I (1732), p. 110e-111

CPG 3911

TLG 4138.006

1.4. ff. 16v-22v

De paenitentia Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Rubric: f. 16v Τοῦ ὁσίου π(ατ)ρ(ὸ)ς ἡμῶν Ἐφραὶμ λόγος περὶ μετανοίας· εὐ(λόγησον) π(άτ)ερ

Incipit: f. 16v Ὁ κατελθὼν κ(ύριο)ς ἐκ τοῦ οὐ(ρα)νοῦ, καὶ ἐκ τοῦ κόλπου τοῦ π(ατ)ρ(ό)ς· καὶ γενόμενος ἡμῖν ὁδὸς σωτηρίας

Explicit: f. 22v ἀλλὰ σῶσον ἀσεβῆ χάριτι καὶ οἰκτιρμοῖς· καὶ εἰσάγαγε αὐτὸν εἰς παράδεισον τρυφῆς· σὺν τελείοις δικαίοις· πρόσδεξαι τὴν δέησιν τοῦ δούλου σου δέσποτα, πρεσβείαις τῶν ἁγίων τῶν εὐαρεστησάντων σε· δόξα τῶ χ(ριστ)ῶ. ἀμήν

ed. Assemani, vol. I (1732), p. 148-153

CPG 3915

TLG 4138.010

1.5. ff. 23r-26r

Sermo compunctorius Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Rubric: f. 23r Τοῦ ὁσίου π(ατ)ρ(ὸ)ς ἡμῶν Ἐφραὶμ λόγος ἀσκητικὸς περὶ τῆς θεωρίας τῆς πρωινῆς

Incipit: f. 23r Ἐν μιᾶ τῶν ἡμερῶν, ὄθρου καθέως ἀναστάς ἐπορευόμην ἐγὼ σὺν τοῖς δυσὶν ἀδελφοῖς, ἔξωθεν τῆς πόλεως Ἐδέσσις εὐλογημένης

Explicit: f. 26r ἀνυμνῶν καὶ δοξάζων· τὴν σὴν μακροθυμίαν δημιουργὲ ἄχραντε· ὅτι οὐχ ὑπερίδες δάκρυα· τοῦ ἀχρείου καὶ ἁμαρτωλοῦ δούλου σου

ed. Assemani, vol. I (1732), p. 158-161

CPG 3917

TLG 4138.012

1.6. ff. 26r-31r

Sermo alius compunctorius Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Rubric: f. 26r Τοῦ αὐτοῦ λόγος ἕτερος

Incipit: f. 26r Κατανύγηθη ψυχή μου, κατὰ νύγηθει· ἐπὶ πᾶσι τοῖς ἀγαθοῖς, οἷς εἴληφας παρὰ τοῦ θ(εο)ῦ καὶ οὐκ ἐφύλαξας

Explicit: f. 31r Δεηθῶμεν οὖν αὐτοῦ, ἵνα ἡμᾶς εἰσαγάγει, εἰς τὴν βασιλείαν αὐτοῦ· ὅτι αὐτῶ πρέπει δόξα καὶ προσκύνησις τῶ π(ατ)ρὶ καὶ τῶ υἱῶ καὶ τῶ ἁγίω πν(εύματ)ι· νῦν καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας, ἀμήν

ed. Assemani, vol. I (1732), p. 161-165

CPG 3918

TLG 4138.013

1.7. ff. 31r-32v line 22

Sermo paraeneticus Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Rubric: f. 31r Τοῦ ὁσίου π(ατ)ρ(ὸ)ς ἡμῶν λόγος παραινετικός· εὐ(λόγησον) π(άτ)ερ

Incipit: f. 31r Πρόσεχε σὲ αὐτῶ ὦ νεότης ποθοῦσα ἀσκῆσαι· μήποτε παρέλθωσιν αἱ ἡμέραι σου ἐν τῶ μετεωρισμῶ

Explicit: f. 32v lines 20-22 τότε ἀφίσταται ἀφ’ ἡμῶν διὰ καὶ μῖσος ὃ ἔχει πρὸς ἡμᾶς ὁ μιαρὸς καὶ ἀκάθαρτος

ed. Assemani, vol. I (1732), p. 166-167

CPG 3919

TLG 4138.014

1.8. ff. 32v line 22-37v

In secundum adventum domini nostri Jesu Christi Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Incipit: f. 32v lines 22-25 Πρὸς ἔθεται δεῦτε υἱοὶ φωτός ἀκούσατε τῆς εὐλογημένης φωνῆς ἐκείνης καὶ μακαρίας τοῦ σ(ωτῆ)ρ(ο)ς ἡμῶν τῆς λεγούσης πρὸς ἡμᾶς

Explicit: f. 37v ἀλλ’ ὡς ἐποίησα μὴ ἀνταποδώσης μοι· μηδὲ κατὰ τὰ ἔργα μου ἢ ὀργιασθὴς, μηνήσης μοι· ἀλλὰ σῶσόν με διὰ τὴν χάριν σου· καὶ οἰκτήρησόν με διὰ τὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν σου· ὅτι σὺ εὐλογημένος εἶ· μετὰ τοῦ εὐλογημένου σου π(ατ)ρ(ὸ)ς καὶ τοῦ πν(εύματό)ς σου τοῦ ἁγίου καὶ ζωοποιοῦ καὶ παρακλήτου· νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων

ed. Assemani, vol. I (1732), p. 167-171

CPG 3920

TLG 4138.048

1.9. ff. 37v-41r

Sermo in patres defunctos Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Rubric: f. 37v Τοῦ ὁσίου π(ατ)ρ(ὸ)ς ἡμῶν Ἐφραὶμ, λόγος εἰς π(ατέ)ρας τελειωθέντας· εὐ(λόγησον) π(άτ)ερ

Incipit: f. 37v Τὴν καρδίαν μου ἀλγῶ· συμπαθήσατέ μοι ἀδελφοί δοῦλοι εὐλογημένοι· δεῦτε καὶ ἀκούσατε· ὀδυνάται μου ἡ ψυχή· ἀλγούσι μου οἱ νεφροί

Explicit: f. 41r καὶ σπουδάσωμεν πάντες τὸν θ(εὸ)ν τὸν ἅγιον ἵλεον ποιήσασθε ἕως ἔχομεν καιρόν μετὰ πάσης σπουδῆς καὶ προθυμίας εὐρεθῆναι ἕτοιμοι ἐν τῶ μέλλοντι αἰῶνι … δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμήν

ed. Assemani, vol. I (1732), p. 172-175

CPG 3921

BHGⁿ 2103tc

TLG 4138.015

1.10. ff. 41v-45v

De timore animarum Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Rubric: f. 41v Τοῦ ὁσίου π(ατ)ρ(ὸ)ς ἡμῶν Ἐφραὶμ λόγος περὶ φόβου ψυχῆς· εὐ(λόγησον) π(άτ)ερ

Incipit: f. 41v Ἐγὼ Ἐφρὲμ ἁμαρτωλός, χαῦνος καὶ ῥάθυμος εἰς ἀγῶνα πν(ευματ)ικόν, λέγω ὑμῖν ἀγωνίσασθαι εἰσελθεῖν φιλόθεοι ἀδελφοί μου

Explicit: f. 45v μέμνεισθαί μου κληρονόμοι θ(εο)ῦ· ἀδελφοὶ τοῦ χ(ριστο)ῦ, ἐκτενῶς περι ἐμοῦ, τὸν σ(ωτῆ)ρα δυσωπείσατε· ἵνα ῥυσθῶ διὰ τοῦ χ(ριστο)ῦ ἀπὸ τοῦ πολεμοῦντός με καθεκάστην ἡμέραν· ὅτι τῆ ἁγία τριάδη· ἡ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμήν

ed. Assemani, vol. I (1732), p. 183-187

CPG 3925

TLG 4138.019

1.11. ff. 45v-54r

De iudicio et compunctione Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Rubric: f. 45v Περὶ κρίσεως καὶ κατανοίξεως

Incipit: f. 45v Δεῦτε πάντες ἀδελφοί, ἀκούσατε συμβουλῆς ἐμοῦ τοῦ ἁμαρτωλοῦ καὶ ἀπαιδεύτου Ἐφρὲμ

Explicit: f. 54r Δόξα τῶ μόνω θ(ε)ῶ· ἀθανάτα ἁγίω· ἀγαθῶ καὶ φοβερῷ· ἀχράντω καὶ εὐσπλάγχνῳ· τῶ κινήσαντι ἡμῶν τῆν γλῶσσαν τὴν εὐτελεῖ διὰ τῆς χάριτος αὐτοῦ· μελωδήσαι ῥήματα κρίσεως καὶ ἀγάπης· καὶ τῆς κατανοίξεως εἰς οἰκοδομὴν ψυχῆς φωτισμὸν τῆς καρδίας· διανοίας ὠφέλειαν· ἵνα πᾶσα ψυχὴ μελετῶσα αὐτά καὶ γλυκανθήσα, ἑλκυσθεῖ εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον· ἐν χ(ριστ)ῶ Ἰ(ησο)ῦ τῶ κ(υρί)ω ἡμῶν· ὦ ἡ δόξα καὶ τὸ κράτος εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰῶνων, ἀμήν

ed. Assemani, vol. II (1743), p. 50-56

CPG 3940

TLG 4138.033

1.12. ff. 54r-56r

De beatitudinibus atque infelicitatibus Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Rubric: f. 54r Περὶ μακαρισμοῦ καὶ ταλανισμοῦ· εὐ(λόγησον)

Incipit: f. 54r Μακάριοι οἱ τὸν θ(εὸ)ν ἀγαπήσαντες, καὶ διὰ τὴν ἀγάπην αὐτοῦ κατὰ φρονοῦντες πάντων τῶν γηΐνων πραγμάτων

Explicit: f. 56r αὔται παριστῶσιν, ἡμᾶς τῶ σ(ωτῆ)ρι χ(ριστ)ῶ· προσκυνῆσαι σὺν τῶ π(ατ)ρὶ καὶ τῶ ἁγίω πν(εύματ)ι· νῦν καὶ ἀεὶ καὶ εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμήν

ed. Assemani, vol. II (1743), p. 334-335

CPG 3960

TLG 4138.040

1.13. ff. 56r-58v

Confessio seu precatio ad Deum Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Incipit: f. 56r Ἴασαί με κ(ύρι)ε καὶ ἰαθήσομαι· ὁ μόνος σοφὸς, καὶ εὔσπλαγχνος ἰατρός

Explicit: f. 58v δόξα τῶ δεδοκότι ἵνα αὐτῶ πρὸς ἐνέγκω· εἰσάκουσον κ(ύρι)ε τῆς προσευχῆς τοῦ δούλου σου· πρεσβείαις πάντων τῶν ἁγίων σου· ὁ ὧν ἐπὶ πάντων εὐλογητὸς εἰς τοὺς αἰώνας ἀμήν

ed. Assemani, vol. I (1732), p. 199-201

CPG 3929

TLG 4138.023

1.14. ff. 59r-64v

In secundum adventum domini nostri Jesu Christi Ephraem, Syrus, Saint, 303-373

Rubric: f. 59r Τοῦ ὁσίου π(ατ)ρ(ὸ)ς ἡμῶν Ἐφρὲμ, λόγος εἰς τὴν δευτέραν παρουσίαν· εὐ(λόγησον) π(άτ)ερ

Incipit: f. 59r Προσέλθετε καὶ δεῦτε υἱοὶ φωτός· ἀκούσατε τῆς εὐλογημένης φωνῆς καὶ μακαρίας ἐκείνης τοῦ σ(ωτῆ)ρ(ο)ς τῆς λεγούσις πρὸς ἡμᾶς

Explicit: f. 64v ἀλλὰ σώσον με διὰ τὴν χάριν σου· καὶ οἰκτήρισόν με διὰ τὴν εὐσπλαγχνίαν σου· ὅτι εὐλογημένος εἶ, καὶ διδοξασμένον εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμήν

ed. Assemani, vol. I (1732), p. 167-171

CPG 3920

TLG 4138.048

2. ff. 64v-68r

Dorotheus, of Gaza, Saint, active 6th century, Doctrina II. De humilitate 1-4

Rubric: f. 64v Περὶ ταπεινοφροσύνης

Incipit: f. 64v Εἶπέ τις τῶν γερόντων· πρὸ παντὸς χρίζομεν τῆς ταπεινοφροσύνης ἕτοιμοι ὄντες, ἐν παντὶ λόγω ὧ ἀκούομεν λέγειν· συγχώρησον

Explicit: ff. 67v-68r Διὰ τοῦτο ὀφείλομεν ἀγωνίζεσθαι ἀδελφοί μου πρὸς τὴν ὑπερηφανίαν ἵνα μὴ κατὰ μικρὸν ἐμπέσωμεν καὶ εἰς τὴν τελείαν ὑπερηφανίαν||

PG 88, 1639-1645

CPG 7352

TLG 2852.001

3. ff. 68r-80v

Fragments of the Fathers Apophthegmata Patrum

3.1. ff. 68r-75v

Ammonas, Saint, active 4th century, Capita paraenetica

Rubric: f. 68r Παραγγελία τοῦ ἀββᾶ Ἀμωνᾶ

Incipit: f. 68r Τήρει σε αὐτὸν ἀκριβῶς, ὡς θαρῶν καὶ πιστεύων ὅτι ὁ Κ(ύριο)ς ἡμῶν Ἰ(ησοῦ)ς Χ(ριστὸ)ς

Explicit: f. 75v καὶ τὸ καθόλου μὴ λαλὴν ὄως· μὴ δὲ ἄπτεσθαι μηδενὸς, ⟨μ⟩άλιστα δὲ ἄλλου σώματος, χωρὶς μεγάλης ἀνάγκης||

Ed. F. Nau, Ammonas, successeur de Saint Antoine. Textes grecs at syriaques, in "Patrologia Orientalis" vol. 11 (1915), p. 391-504, at 458-471

CPG 2390

3.2. ff. 75v-76r

Macarius, Aegyptius (300-390), De patientia et discretione 1 (excerptum) Sermones LXIV (Typus I = collectio B), hom. 2

Incipit: f. 75v Τῶν ἀκουόντων τὸν λόγον τοῦ θ(εο)ῦ καὶ ποιούντων ἀγαθὸν καρπὸν σημεῖα ἐν αὐτοῖς ταῦτά ἐστι στεναγμός

Explicit: f. 76r ἐρήθεια· ὑπεροψία· φλυαρία· ἄκαιρος γέλος· ἐθελοδοξία· καὶ τὸ πᾶν σκότος· ὅπερ ἐστὶν ὁ σατανάς||

CPG 2410

TLG 2109.001

3.3. f. 76r lines 13-26

Silvanus, Apophtegma III.33 ed. Guy

Incipit: f. 76r lines 13-15 Ὁ ἀββᾶ Σιλουανὸς καθήμενος ποτε μετὰ ἀδελφῶν ἐγένετο ἐν εκστάσει· καὶ πίπτει ἐπὶ πρόσωπον ἑἀυτοῦ

Explicit: f. 76r lines 25-26 τί θέλω ἰδεῖν τὸ φῶς τοῦτο τὸ πρόσκαιρον· τὸ ἔχον οὐδὲν ὄφελος

Ed. J.-C. Guy, Les apophtegmes des pères. Collection systématique, chapitres i-ix, Sources chrétiennes 387 (1993), p. 166-168

PG 65, 408

TLG 2742.005

3.4. ff. 76r line 26-77r

Apophtegma XV.119 ed. Guy

Incipit: ff. 76r line 26-76v line 1 Ἀδελφὸς ἐκάθητω κατὰ μόνας· ἐν αὐτῆ τῆ μονῆ τῶν μονηδείων· καὶ αὕτη ἦν ἡ εὐχὴ αὐτοῦ πάντοτε

Explicit: f. 77r καὶ ἔμηνεν διαπαντὸς ἐν πολὺ ταπεινφροσύνη, εὐχαριστῶν τῶ θ(ε)ῶ

Ed. J.-C. Guy, Les apophtegmes des pères. Collection systématique, chapitres x-xvi, Sources chrétiennes 474 (2003), p. 364-368

TLG 2742.012

3.5. ff. 77r-77v

Apophtegma V de abbate Paphnutio

Incipit: f. 77r Ἀδελφὸς ἐν θηβαΐδει· καθήμενος ἐν τῆ ἐρήμω· ἦλθεν αὐτῶ λογισμὸς, λέγων· Τί κάθη ἄκαρπος· ἀνάστα ὕπαγε εἰς κοινόβιον

Explicit: f. 77v κράτει ὡς οἱ π(ατέ)ρες εἴπον· πλεῖον γὰρ τούτου, οὐκ ἔχο σοι τι εἰπεῖν· καὶ πληροφορηθεὶς, ἀπῆλθεν

PG 65, 380

TLG 2742.001

3.6. f. 77v

Apophtegma XLIII de abbate Antonio

Incipit: f. 77v Ἔλεγεν ὁ ἀββὰς Ἀντώνιος· προ ὀφθαλμῶν ἔχε πάντοτε τὸν φόβον τοῦ θ(εο)ῦ

Explicit: f. 77v κατὰ φρονήσατε τῆς σαρκὸς ἵνα σώσητε ὑμῶν τὰς ψυχάς

PG 65, 85

TLG 2742.001

3.7. ff. 77v-78v

Ammonas, Saint, active 4th century, Fragmentum

Incipit: f. 77v Εἴπεν ὁ ἀββὰς ἀμωνὰς· καθεζόμενος εἰς τὸ κελλίον σοῦ, συνάγαγέ σου τὸν νοῦν

Explicit: f. 78v ὄπως κἂν διὰ τοῦτου τοὺς βλαβεροὺς διαφεύξη λογισμοῦς

Ed. F. Nau, Ammonas, successeur de Saint Antoine. Textes grecs at syriaques, in "Patrologia Orientalis" vol. 11 (1915), p. 391-504, at 486-487

CPG 2393

3.8. f. 78v

Four sentences attributed to Nilus, Agathon and an Anonymous

Incipit: f. 78v Εἴπεν ὁ ἅγιος Νεῖλος· τί μετεωρίζει ὦ ἄν(θρωπ)ε· οὐκ οἶδας ὄτι πηλὸς εἶ

Explicit: f. 78v εὔδηλον ὅτι αἰώνιος τῶν δικαίων ἡ ἀπόλαυσις καὶ ἡ τῶν ἁμαρτωλῶν ὑπάρχει κόλασις

cf. Evagrius, De octo spiritibus malitiae, PG 79, 1164, and Ps.-Athanasius, Quaestiones ad Antiochum ducem, PG 28, 660

cf. TLG 4110.023, 2035.077

4. ff. 79r-80v

John Chrysostom (attributed to) , In illud: Homo quidam descendebat

Rubric: f. 79v Τοῦ ἐν ἁγίοις π(ατ)ρ(ὸ)ς ἡμῶν, κ(υρίο)υ ἀρχιεπισκόπου Κωνστ(αντίνου) πό(λεως) τοῦ Χρ(υσοστόμου) λόγος, εἰς τὸν ἐμπεσόντα εἰς τοὺς λιστάς· εὐ(λόγησον) π(άτ)ερ

Incipit: f. 79v Ὄντως κατὰ τὸν θεῖον ἀπόστολον, οἱ ἐν σταδίω τρέχοντες, πάντες μὲν τρέχουσιν, εἷς δὲ λαμβάνει τὸ βραβεῖον

Explicit: f. 80v τοῦ τοιούτου στεφάνου γένοιτο πάντας ἡμᾶς ἐπιτυχεῖν· χάριτι καὶ φιλαν(θρωπ)ία· τοῦ κ(υρίο)υ ἡμῶν Ἰ(ησο)ῦ Χ(ριστο)ῦ μεθ’ οὗ π(ατ)ρὶ …

Attributed to Proclus of Constantinople , see B. Marx 1940, Procliana, p. 33 n. 21, J.A. De Aldama 1965, Repertorium Pseudochrysostomicum, no. 318

PG 61, 755-758

CPG 4655

TLG 2062.309

Physical Description

Form: codex

Support: ff. 1r-80v parchment, thickness, yellowish brown, low quality, arranged flesh-to-flesh and hair-to-hair with flesh outermost (FHHF).

Collation

Part I is now made up of 10 quaternions: Quires 1-10⁸ ff. 1r-80v.

A quire signature in Greek numerals in brown ink from α to θ on the first folio of each quire, recto, lower margin, and on the last folio of each quire, verso, lower margin, from f. 8v; quire 4 was not counted by mistake and numeral γ is repeated on ff. 17r (quire 3) and 32v (quire 4).

A second series of Greek signature corrects the mistake and survives on upper margins of ff. [25]r (δ), 41r (ϛ), 57r (η), 65r (θ) and 73r (ι).

Modern quire signatures in Arabic numerals, in pencil, have been added to the first folio of each quire, recto, lower right-hand corner. On f. [25]r the same hand wrote the relevant Greek numeral (δ) along with the Arabic numeral.

Condition

In fair general condition. Leaves are yellow with age, moulded and darkened.

Layout

ff. 1r-80v: 140-145 × 92-96 mm. 23-27 lines per page. Pricking does not survive. Only justification is ruled.

Hand(s)

Hand A: ff. 1r-80v.

The first part is written in a mixed minuscule in brown ink with irregular slanting.

There is a marked variation in letter size. Syllabic abbreviations and superscript word endings are frequent. Breathings are curved and mute iota is not in use. It is a informal script for common use with some element of the Fettaugenmode.

Decoration

Some simple, linear friezes in red ink on ff. 1r, 16v; palmettes and knots on ff. 23r, 26r, 31r, 37v, 41v, 45v, 54r, 56r, 59r, 64v, 68r, 78v, 79r.

Some plain or slightly decorated initials on the same folios as friezes, and small initials in red ink throughout the part.

Additions

One or more readers have added some lines and pen trials.

History

Origin:

The characteristics of the script suggest that it was produced between the the 13th and 14th century.

Part 2, upper text [Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.3.18, ff. 81r-172v]

Language(s): Greek

5.1. ff. 81r-84r

Epistula ad Eustathium Antiochus active 7th century monk of Palestine

Rubric: f. 81r Ἐπιστολῆ ἀντιόχου μ(ονα)χ(οῦ) τῆς λαῦρας τοῦ ἀββᾶ Σαβᾶ πρὸς εὐστάθιον ἡγούμενον μ(ονῆς) ἀτταλινῆς πόλεως ἀγκύρας τῆς γαλατίας· εὐ(λόγησον) π(άτ)ερ

Incipit: f. 81r Ἐπεὶ δὴ γεγράφηκάς μοι τίμιε π(άτ)ερ Εὐστάθιε πολλὴν θλίψιν ὑπερμεμενηκέναι

Explicit: f. 84r μάλιστα τοὺς ἀπὸ τῶν ἔξω χωρῶν ἐρχομένους εἰς προσκύνησιν τῶν ἁγίων τόπων, καὶ πάντας δοξάζειν τὸν Θ(εὸ)ν· ὅτι αὐτῶ πρέπει δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων ἀμήν

PG 89, 1421-1428

BHG^a 1215

CPG 7842

TLG 3007.001

5.2. ff. 84r-172v

Pandecta scripturae sacrae (lacunosa) Antiochus active 7th century monk of Palestine

Rubric: f. 84r περὶ ἀποταγῆς· εὐ(λόγησον) π(άτ)ερ

Incipit: f. 84r Ὁ ἀποτασσόμενος, ὀφείλει κατα διάνοιαν μεθίστασθαι τῶν ὁρωμένων· καὶ τὰ ἀόρατα καθὁρᾶν

Explicit: f. 172v παιδεύσει με δίκαιος ἐν ἐλέει καὶ ἐλέγξει με· μέγας οὖν ἐστιν ἀγαπητοὶ καὶ||

PG 89, 1428-1634, 1779-1786

CPG 7843

TLG 3007.002

hom. 112: ff. 84r-86r
prologus: ff. 86r-87r
hom. 1-9: ff. 87r-100r
hom. 17: ff. 100v-102r
hom. 10-16: ff. 102v-109v
hom. 18-38: ff. 109v-139r
hom. 40-68: ff. 139r-172v

Physical Description

Form: codex

Support: ff. 81r-172v parchment, thickness, yellowish brown, low quality, arranged flesh-to-hair with hair outermost (HFHFFHFH in quaternions); the arrangement of the third bifolium in quire 11 is inverted.

Collation

Part II is now made up of 8 quaternions, one sexternion, one quinion and one ternion:

Quire 11¹² ff. 81r-92v
Quires 12-15⁸ ff. 93r-124v
Quire 16¹⁰ ff. 125r-134v
Quires 17-19⁸ ff. 135r-158v
Quire 20⁶ ff. 159r-164v
Quire 21⁸ ff. 165r-172v

A quire signature in Greek numerals in brown ink from ι to κ, continuing the main signature of part I, on the first folio of each quire, recto, lower margin, and on the last folio of each quire, verso, lower margin.

Modern quire signatures in Arabic numerals, in pencil, have been added to the first folio of each quire, recto, lower right-hand corner.

Condition

In fair general condition. Leaves are yellow with age and darkened .

Layout

ff. 81r-172v: written space 130-150 × 90-100 mm. 20-28 lines per page Pricking does not survive. Ruled in hardpoint before it was palimpsested.

Hand(s)

Three hands are present in the upper text of the second part, all very similar to Hand A, in black ink

Hand B: ff. 81r-140v, 146v-172.

Hand C: ff. 141r-142r, 143r, 144v-145v.

Hand D: ff. 142r-142v.

Decoration

A rectangular headpiece on f. 81r in black an red.

Major initials in red or black ink.

History

Origin:

The characteristics of the script suggest that it was produced between the the 13th and 14th century.

Part 2, lower text [Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.3.18, ff. 81r-172v]

Introduction: The lower script is mostly invisible, faint traces of letters are visible to the naked eye or through digital image enhancement on ff. 159v, 160r, 163v, 164v, 168r, 169v.

Language(s): Greek

6. ff. 168r-169v

Gregory, of Nazianzus, Saint, Fragment of In sancta lumina (orat. 39), section 13

Incipit: || f. 169v περιγράφεσθαι ἀλλ’ εἶναί τινας καὶ κάτω(?)

Explicit: f. 168r δελεάσας ἡμᾶς σαρκὸς προβλήματι δελεάζεται(?) ||

PG 36, 348 line 43-349 line

CPG 3010.39

TLG 2022.047

Physical Description

Form: codex

Support: ff. 81r-172v parchment, thickness, yellowish brown, low quality.

Collation

Condition

Layout

ff. 168r-169v: written space (approximative) 200 × 125 mm. 32 lines ca. per page. Pricked in the outer margins. Ruled in hardpoint before it was palimpsested, visible surviving portion: type Leroy 20A2 . Ruling runs at right angle to the upper script.

Hand(s)

Lower text Hand: the text is deeply washed up and faintly visible; it is in majuscule script, upright or slanting slightly to the left, with contrast between vertical and horizontal strokes.

Abbreviations for nomina sacra are frequent. Alpha has a oblong loop, delta is triangular and horizontal stroke is prolonged, as does the horizontal stroke of theta, arms of kappaare detached to vertical stroke, my and omega are broad, horizontal stroke of pi is prolonged over the vertical ones. Breathings are occasional.

N. Tchernetska 2002 compares the script with that of Paris, Bibliothèque nationale de France, grec 510 (9th century).

History

Origin:

The characteristics of the script suggest that the original manuscript was produced between the 8th and 9th century.

Additional Information

Record Sources

Description (2020) draws on N. Tchernetska, Cambridge University Library Nn.4.8, a Greek palimpsest described and deciphered, in "Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society" vol. 12, no. 3 (2002), p. 313-321.

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

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, Patricia E. (Aldershot, 107-120, Ashgate, 2000)

Anthony Askew's "Liber amicorum" Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society, Stubbings, Frank (6, 5, 306-321, 1976, 2015-02-20T13:28:34Z)

Codices Chrysostomici Graeci I Codices Britanniae et Hiberniae, Aubineau, Michel (Paris, CNRS éditions, 1968)

A catalogue of the manuscripts preserved in the library of the University of Cambridge, (Cambridge, 4: Ll-Oo, Cambridge University Press, 1861)

Hand-list of the Greek palimpsests in Cambridge libraries I manoscritti greci tra riflessione e dibattito: Atti del V Colloquio Internazionale di Paleografia Greca (Cremona 4-10 ottobre 1998) Papyrologica Florentina, Tchernetska, Natalie (Florence, 733-739, Edizioni Gonnelli, 2000)

Cambridge University Library Nn.4.8, a Greek palimpsest described and deciphered Transactions of the Cambridge Bibliographical Society, Tchernetska, Natalie (12, 313-321, 2002)

Ephraem's 'On Repentance' and the Translation of the Greek Text into other Languages The British Library Journal, Pattie, T.S. (16, 174-186, 1990)

Funding of Cataloguing

The Polonsky Foundation

Digital Images

Cambridge Digital Library

Abbreviations

View list of abbreviations and editorial conventions.

Medieval Manuscripts in Cambridge Libraries

Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.4.8

Contents

Physical Description

Collation

Binding

History

Provenance and Acquisition

Part 1 [Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.3.18, ff. 1r-80v]

Contents

Physical Description

Collation

Condition

Layout

Hand(s)

Decoration

Additions

History

Part 2, upper text [Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.3.18, ff. 81r-172v]

Contents

Physical Description

Collation

Condition

Layout

Hand(s)

Decoration

History

Part 2, lower text [Cambridge, University Library, MS Nn.3.18, ff. 81r-172v]

Contents

Physical Description

Collation

Condition

Layout

Hand(s)

History

Additional Information

Record Sources

Availability

Bibliography

Funding of Cataloguing

Digital Images

Abbreviations

Study at Cambridge

About the University

Research at Cambridge