folio BS-003 recto

The Byzantic Scriptorium

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Three Folios of a binding for the Triodion, in progress, with Marginal Glosses

"Now I have written it all; for Christ's sake give me a drink."
Iam scripsi totum, pro Christo da mihi potum.
Abstract

On f. clxvi v of a binding for the Triodion, in progress, in a hand we have come to recognise as Br. Nikephoros's, the following marginal note appears in the customary brown: an aside both characteristic of the working scriptorium and useful for our purposes. we record our reading without further comment

Context

The genre — if we may dignify it as such — has been treated elsewhere only in passing. Our own contribution is modest: a growing card-index, kept by Br. Photios when he can find it.

Paleographic Note

The minim spacing is wider than the scribe's usual practice, suggesting either a freshly-cut calamus or, more probably, a second hand returning to the line. The sigma terminal preserves the customary form.

Notes

  1. The pigment dish was rinsed twice between examinations.
  2. We have declined to date the second hand on present evidence.
  3. The relevant exemplar is in the closed press; consultation is by appointment.
With thanks to Br. Theognostus for the citation, and to the cat for his customary contribution. We retain editorial responsibility. Finito libro, sit laus et gloria Christo.

Other Hands

Annotations by other scribes, in the order in which they were entered into the margins.

  1. Seal of Brother Symeon
    Br. Symeon ad f. clxvi r, lin. xxv
    Cf. our previous discussion at chapter ii; the brother had the same complaint then.
  2. Seal of Brother Damianus
    Br. Damianus ad f. clxvi r, lin. xiii
    On reflection: the cat may have been at the desk during the original copying.
  3. Seal of Brother Anastasios
    Br. Anastasios ad f. clxvi v, lin. xii
    Cf. our previous discussion at chapter iv; the brother had the same complaint then.
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