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Manuscript, written in Italy, containing the six plays of Terence.

 Item
Identifier: Adv.MS.18.2.10

Scope and Contents

The contents of the manuscript are as follows:

`Andria` (folio 1);

`Eunuchus` (folio 22);

`Heauton Timoroumenos` (folio 44 verso);

`Adelphoe` (folio 65 verso);

`Hecyra` (folio 86);

`Phormio` (folio 105);

with didascalia for `Eunuchus`, `Adelphoe`, and `Hecyra`;

before the prologue to the `Andria` stands the short poem on Terence, ‘Anthologia Latina’ 487 c.

The text belongs to the Calliopian recension (`Caliop(us) [sic] rece(n)sui` at the end of each play) and to the γ family (order of plays); cf. the edition of Terence by W M Lindsay and R Kauer.

Subscription (folio 126 verso): `Terencii Affri phormio explicit. MCCCCXXXVI Die p(ri)mo m(en)sis noue(m)bris i(n) hora d(e)cima octava. Deo gr(atia)as amen’.

Space has been left for ornamental initials at the beginning of each scene but none have been added. Indications of speaker appear sporadically in red. The didascalia for `Eunuchus’, now partly cut away, were written by the rubricator. The text is in two undistinguished early humanistic bookhands, the change occuring in the middle of folio 77 verso; The second is smaller than the first, and some letter-shapes are different. There are glosses throughout in a small cursive hand of the 15th century.

On the front flyleaf is written at the top left hand corner `a 22[t]`, at the top right hand corner `xiii`.

Dates

  • Creation: 1438.

Extent

1 Volumes (i + 129 (numbered 1-127, the folio after 2 having been passed over and 79 repeated) + i folios.)

Language of Materials

Latin

Arrangement

Collation: 1-7¹², 8¹⁰, 9-10¹², 11¹² (-11¹², probably blank). Catchwords in the centre lower margin, surrounded by ornamental pen work, for gatherings 1-10. Pricking with a triangular awl in the outer margins. Ruling in ink. 1 column. 25-26 lines. Ruled area 187-192 x 90-95 millimetres (the writing frequently overflows into the right hand margin). Secundo folio: `Eutontimerumenos que fert`.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Paper (watermark: hills, similar to Briquet number 11678 and what follows, Italian, 2nd quarter of 15th century). Binding of green morocco, tooled in gilt, with red labels, late 18th century.

Custodial History

Acquired by the Advocates’ Library before circa 1825.

Immediate Source of Acquisition

Presented, 1925, by the Faculty of Advocates to the nation on the foundation of the National Library of Scotland.

Existence and Location of Copies

Microfilms available:

Mf.Sec.MSS.424;

Mf.Sec.MSS.789.

Bibliography

‘P. Terenti Afri Comoediae’, edited by W M Lindsay and R Kauer (Oxford, 1926).

Physical Description

0.00 linear metresi + 129 (numbered 1-127, the folio after 2 having been passed over and 79 repeated) + i folios.195.00 x 275.00 millimetres

Dimensions

195.00 x 275.00 millimetres

Title
National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
Author
National Library of Scotland
Date
27 01 2015
Description rules
Finding Aid Prepared Using Local Descriptive Rules
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin

Repository Details

Part of the National Library of Scotland Archives and Manuscripts Division Repository

Contact:
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700