New Publication: Byzantion 89 (2019)

“A Ninth-Century Fragment of Basil of Caesarea’s De Spiritu sancto and a Lost Majuscule Codex” Byzantion 89 (2019): 243-274.

A hitherto unknown fragment of Basil of Caesarea’s De Spiritu sancto (CPG 2939) forms part of the small collection of Greek manuscripts at the University of Notre Dame (Indiana, USA). The fragment (Notre Dame, Univ. of Notre Dame, Hesburgh Library, Frag. I. 63) dates to the second half of the ninth century and is an entirely new witness to the text. This article provides an analytical description, transcription , and analysis of the fragment, which is the earliest extant manuscript of Basil’s De Spiritu sancto.

2020 Winter School in Latin Paleography & Codicology

2020 Winter School in Latin Paleography & Codicology

Notre Dame, University of Notre Dame, Hesburgh Library, Ferrell MS 2.

With the kind collaboration of the Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana (BAV), the University of Notre Dame offers its Winter School in Latin Paleography and Codicology at its Rome Global Gateway. This two-week intensive course will introduce participants to various aspects of Latin Paleography and Western Codicology, offering a balance of theoretical and practical applications.

Participants will develop mastery of abbreviation systems, the ability to identify, classify, localize, and date western book hands (ca. 1100-1500), and an understanding of the historical development and influence of Latin scripts. Western codicological principles and an introduction to analytical manuscript description will enable participants to interpret the manuscript as a complete object by utilizing physical properties such as collation, ruling patterns, and decoration in parallel with the script.

A special feature of the course will be extensive visits to the Vatican Library, which provide the opportunity for participants to apply the skills and techniques from the seminars with medieval manuscripts in situ. Discussion sections will offer a chance for students to share their experiences in a group setting and discuss various problems and difficulties. The course will culminate in a final presentation in which students present the fruits of their research and field questions from the audience. Two evening lectures by specialists will provide in-depth supplementary content to particular aspects of the seminars.

2020 Dates

7–17 January 2020, Rome, Italy / Città del Vaticano.

2020 Application Deadline EXTENDED

The extended deadline is 23 September 2019

Director

Dr. David T. Gura, curator of Ancient of Medieval Manuscripts and concurrent associate  professor of paleography, will teach the course and supervise manuscript research.

Eligibility

Applications from graduate and postgraduate students, and early career faculty in Classics, Patristics, and all areas of Medieval Studies are welcome. Prior and advanced knowledge of Latin is essential. The course will be conducted in English.

Program Costs

The program fee is $1,000 (USD), which includes tuition, course materials, a welcome reception, fives lunches at the ND Gateway sessions, and two dinners.

Lodging

Participants will secure their own lodging in Rome during the Winter School. A list of participants and contact info will be shared, in the case that participants may rent accommodations together to defray the cost (e.g., Airbnb, etc.).

Application Materials

Applicants should submit a CV and letter of application (be sure to specify Latin language experience, research topic, and the need for training in paleography and codicology), and the contact information for one letter of recommendation using the following link: http://apply.interfolio.com/63202

Payment (Deadline Extended)

Payment instructions will be sent upon confirmation of acceptance. Extended Deadline for tuition payments is now October 21, 2019.

All questions may be directed to: Dr. David T. Gura, Curator, Ancient and Medieval Manuscripts, University of Notre Dame (dgura@nd.edu). 

New Publication: Pecia 20 (2017)

“The Ovidian Allegorical Schoolbook: Arnulf of Orléans and John of Garland Take Over a Thirteenth Century Manuscript,” Pecia (2017): 7-43 is now available online: https://doi.org/10.1484/J.PECIA.5.116320

The article is focuses on the commentary tradition of Ovid’s Metamorphoses in the twelfth and thirteenth century. A paleographical, codicological, and textual exploration of a thirteenth-century schoolbook (Wolfenbüttel Herzog August Bibliothek, Cod. Guelf. 13.10 Aug. 4o) places the manuscript at the center of a paratextual web which portrays a vivid snapshot the accretion, modification, and composition process of glossing and allegorical commentary. This manuscript nexus includes commentaries on other authors and texts which link HAB, 13.10 Aug. 4o to six other manuscripts (s. XII through s. XIV).

The study brings to the fore new Latin texts which are critically edited for the first time: five unknown accessus and a short catena commentary. A new Ovidian commentator active in France c. 1275 is also identified.

The article also includes analytical descriptions of the following manuscripts: Wolfenbüttel Herzog August Bibliothek, Cod. Guelf. 13.10 Aug. 4o; Frankfurt-am-Main, Stadt- und Universitätsbibliothek, lat. qu. 21; London, BL, Add. 10090; Montpelier, Bibliothèque Universitaire de Médecine, H 328; Paris, BnF, lat. 8207 and lat. 8253; and Stuttgart, Württembergische Landesbibliothek, Poet.et.phil. 4o 34.