Manuscript of 'De oratore' and the 'Orator' by Cicero.

File

Identifier: Adv.MS.18.3.16

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

(i) Cicero. `De oratore`. i. 1-9 ‘philoso]phiam’ are lost (folio 1).

(ii) Cicero, `Orator`. 155 ‘quod erat usitatum’ to 173 ‘redundans and 235 ‘nec res’ to the end are lost. Folio 137 should stand before folio 131 (folio 110 verso).

This is one of the many indirect copies of the `codex Laudensis`, the ancient manuscript of Cicero`s rhetorical works found at Lodi in 1421 and lost again in 1428. It is a good copy, related to O (Ottobon.2057) and P (Vat.Pal.1469). Space has been left for titles, but these have not been added. Initials of books are blue with red tracery; those of chapters are alternately red and blue. Written in littera textualis Gothica. Marginal comments and corrections by several hands.

Dates

Creation: 15th century.

Extent

1 Volumes (ii + 139 + ii folios.)

Language of Materials

Latin

Additional Description

Arrangement

Collation: 1¹² (-1¹), 2-10¹², 11¹² (-11¹²), 12¹² (-12¹[?,] ¹¹⁻¹²; 12² placed after 12⁸). Modern signatures in arabic numerals in the lower left-hand margin of the first recto of each gathering. Catchwords in the centre lower margin. Pricking with a circular awl in the outer margins, from first recto to last verso. Ruling in ink. 1 column. 32 lines. Ruled area 196-202 x 108 millimetres. Secundo folio: `oratio conformanda non`.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Vellum (outside sheet of each gathering) and paper (remaining sheets; watermark: two-wheeled cart, Briquet 3544, 2nd and 3rd quarters of 15th century). Scottish binding of green crushed morocco, tooled in gilt, circa 1825.