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12th-century manuscript of plays by Terence, and part of a grammatical treatise on ‘exigentia’.

 Item
Identifier: Adv.MS.18.7.2

Scope and Contents

The manuscript includes additions of the 14th century.

(i) Terence, `Andria` (folio 1), `Eunuchus` (folio 11), `Heautontimorumenos’ (folio 24 verso), `Adelphoe` (folio 39 verso), `Hecyra` (folio 51 verso), `Phormio` (folio 60). The lines are written as prose. The following lines are missing through loss of leaves; ‘Andria’ 1-74 ‘vitam’, 238 ‘sese’-381 ‘tum’, 973 ‘de’-‘Eunuchus’ 61 ‘belIum’, ‘Hecyra’ 823 ‘planum’ – ‘Phormio’ 3 ‘detenere’. ‘Hecyra’ 201-281 ‘umquam’ (folio 25) are misplaced after ‘Heautontimorumenos’ 18 ‘Latinas’. Didascalia and periochae precede those plays whose beginnings survive (‘Andria’, `Heautontimorumenos’, `Adelphoe`, `Hecyra`). After those plays whose ends survive (‘Andria’, `Heautontimorumenos’, `Adelphoe`, ‘Phormio’) is `Calliopius recensui`. The order of plays shows this to be a [?] text of the Calliopian recension; it is fairly corrupt. (Folio 1.)

(ii) Part of a grammatical treatise on `exigentia`, beginning `[A]d sc(r)ipt(ur)aru(m) o(mn)ium i(n)t(e)lligent(i)am faciliore(m)`. Of the four sections outlined at the beginning (definition, nouns, verbs and participles, indeclinables), only the first three are present. (Folio 72 verso.)

(iii) Definitions of technical terms. (Folio 76).

The initial of each play is large and ornamental, in gold, green, blue, and red. The initials of each scene are in silver, green, blue, red, or brown (occasionally a combination of these). Didascalia are in red. Space has been left for dramatis personae at the beginning of each scene, but they have been added only on folios 2-16 recto and 60 verso, mostly in red, occasionally in silver. (i) is written in a small early Gothic bookhand, (ii) and (iii) in 14th-century notula with frequent contractions.

Dates

  • Creation: 12th century.

Extent

1 Volumes (ii + 76 + ii folios.)

Language of Materials

Latin

Arrangement

Collation: 1⁸ (-1¹[?]⁴⁻⁵), 2⁸ (-2⁶), 3⁸, 4⁸ (8¹ is now after 4⁴), 5⁸ + 1 leaf after 2 and 1 after 5, 6-7⁸, 8⁸ (-8⁸), 9¹⁰, 10¹⁰ (-10⁶[?]⁸[?]¹⁰). Signatures in pencil in arabic numerals in the lefthand lower margin of the first recto of each gathering are modern. Pricking not preserved. Ruling in ink. 1 column. 37 lines. Ruled area 144 x 88 millimetres. Secundo folio: (folio 1) `parce ac duriter`, (folio 2) `nichil sic more`.

Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements

Vellum. Scottish binding of green crushed morocco, tooled in gilt, circa 1825.

Custodial History

The ex libris of Sir James Balfour is on folio 1, dated 1632. The volume was number 190 in the sale of Balfour`s books in 1698. Former pressmark: A.6.35. The manuscript was bought by the Advocates’ Library in 1698.

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

Microfilm available: Mf.Sec.MSS.789.

Bibliography

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

Physical Description

0.00 linear metresii + 76 + ii folios.130.00 x 180.00 millimetres

Dimensions

130.00 x 180.00 millimetres

Title
National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
Author
National Library of Scotland
Date
03 02 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