Göttinger Septuaginta

Athens, National Library of Greece, 44 (= Part 1, olim Ra 314). N^o diktyon: 2340.

Istanbul, Topkapi Sarayi Müzesi Kütüphanesi, Gayri İslami Eserler (G. İ.) 13 (= Part 2). N^o diktyon: 33959.

Oxford, Bodleian Library, Auct. E. 2. 16 (Misc. 44) (= Part 3, olim Ra 503). N^o diktyon: 47011.

Oxford, New College, 44 (= Part 4). N^o diktyon: 48715.

s. XII/2 | Parchment, 1039 ff. part 1: 328 ff.; part 2: 281 ff.; part 3: 197 ff.; part 4: 233 ff., 342 × 237 mm part 1: 305/313 × 213/215; part 2: 342 × 237; part 3: 310 × 210; part 4: 304 × 202, 1 col., 46 lines per page 32C1. | Minuscule (“Epsilon-style”) biblical text; Majuscule (epigraphische Auszeichnungsmajuskel) titles. | Provenance: Cyprus or Palestine. Part 1 seems to have belonged to the Patriarchate in Constantinople in the 16th century, see note and monokondylion on f. 66r; later it became part of the Δημοσία Βιβλιοθήκη on the island of Aegina (Αἰγίνη), see stamp and donation note on f. 2r. Part 2 was probably part of the Libraria Comune in the Seraglio (Constantinople) before 1592. Parts 3 & 4 were probably bought by cardinal Reginald Pole (1500–1558) in Padua (Italy) before 1530. cf. Stefec, 158 (on part 1); Cutler, Psalters, 39 (on part 2); Hutter, 142 (on part 3 & 4) | Owner: Reginald Pole (1500–1558) part 3–4.

Complete Old Testament (illustrated, with catenae and commentaries). | Illuminated Greek Old Testament in four parts with miniatures. A lost New Testament part (as in the case of the Leo Bible Ra 55) might have existed. The connection between part 3 (olim Ra 503, now locked) and part 4 (Ra 62) was established by Hutter, and the connection between all four parts, including part 1 (olim Ra 314, now locked), was established by Lowden. All parts have the same size, ruling system, lines per page, and style of custodes. Hutter observed a quire displacement in the third part, which occurred before binding: The Job catena belongs at the end of part 3. Ra 62 is closely related to Ra 147. Regarding their textual character, both manuscripts form a faithful pair (“treues Paar”, see Ziegler, Duodecim prophetae, 74). They presuppose a codex archetypus that was written in majuscule (cf. Ziegler, l.c.). In the case of Isaiah, Ziegler lists common erroneous special readings and indicates a series of mechanical misreadings in the case of Ra 62 (Ziegler, Isaias, 75). The dependence of both witnesses (Ra 147 and Ra 62) on a common Vorlage is probable; dependence on each other is, in my opinion, excluded (see also Lowden, Prophet Books, 40). While the textual character of Ra 62 (and Ra 147) in the case of Dodekapropheton, Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Maccabees is more or less Lucianic, the textual character in the case of Ezekiel and Daniel (θ′) stands out, inasmuch as both witnesses attest to a hexaplaric text. For Ezekiel, Ra 62-147 plus Ra 407 form the hexaplaric subgroup (o-group), and Ra 62 (partly alone, partly in connection with Ra 147) attests to around 800 special readings that go back to Aquila (see Ziegler, Ezechiel, 35). For Daniel, Ra V plus Ra 62-147 form the main hexaplaric group (O-group), and Ra 62-147 attest to around 90 readings that form a plus according to MT and go back to Aquila (see Ziegler, Daniel, 144). | Collation: LXX^Gö, but not collated for Ziegler’s edition of Job. The images of part 1 were obtained in 1929 (cf. Albrecht, “Handschriftenakquisitionen”, 358) | Text-type: L (Ruth), l (Jer., Macc.), lI (XII proph.; Is.), O (Dan.), o (Ez.), C (Eccl.), a (II Par., I–II Esdr., Est., Idt., Tob.), b (Pentateuch).

Content
Part 1: ff. 1r–162v	Oct. – olim Ra 314 with lacunae
Part 1: ff. 163r–244r	I–IV Reg. – olim Ra 314
Part 1: ff. 244r–282v	I–II Par. – olim Ra 314
Part 1: ff. 282v–304r	I–II Esdr. – olim Ra 314 with lacunae
Part 1: ff. 304r–310v	Est. – olim Ra 314
Part 1: ff. 310v–320v	Idt. – olim Ra 314
Part 1: ff. 320v–325v	Tob.– olim Ra 314
Part 2: ff. 1r–271v	Ps. Od. with Comm. by Euthymius Zigabenus see Cutler, Psalters, Nr. 23
Part 3: ff. 114r–164r	Prov. with Cat. (in. 1:3) – olim Ra 503
Part 3: ff. 164v–179v	Eccl. with Cat. (fin. 8:9) – olim Ra 503
Part 3: ff. 180r–185v	Cant. 1–2 with Comm. – olim Ra 503
Part 3: ff. 186r–197v	Cant. with Cat. (in. 1:5) – olim Ra 503
Part 3: ff. 1r–113v	Iob with Cat. – olim Ra 503 see Hutter, Corpus, Nr. 94
Part 4: ff. 1r–105v	XII proph.
Part 4: ff. 106r–162v	IV proph. Ier. 36:5–36:14 missing
Part 4: ff. 163r–233v	I–IV Macc.

Bibliography

Albrecht, F.: “Die Handschriftenakquisitionen des Septuaginta–Unternehmens am Beispiel der Orientreise Martin Flashars im Jahr 1914”, in: Kratz, R.G./Neuschäfer, B. (eds.): Die Göttinger Septuaginta. Ein editorisches Jahrhundertprojekt (AAWG NF 22), Berlin et al. 2013, 329–361, 358 (Ra 314).

Benjamin, C.D.: “Collation of Holmes–Parsons, 23 (Venetus)–62–147 in Daniel from Photographic Copies”, in: JBL 44 (1925), 303–326 (see criticism by Ziegler).

Boßhard, E.: “Septuagint Codices V, 62, and 147 in the Book of Amos”, in: JBL 58 (1939), 331–347 (see criticism by Ziegler).

Canart, P.: Les écritures livresques chypriotes du milieu du XIe siècle au milieu du XIIIe et le style palestino–chypriote "epsilon", in: id. (ed.): Études de paléographie et de codicologie. Reproduites avec la collaboration de M. L. Agati et M. d'Agostino vol. 1 (StT 450), Vatican City 2008, 677–747, 700 [40] (New College 44).

Carr, A.W.: Byzantine Illumination, 1150–1250: The Study of a Provincial Tradition, Chicago 1987, 272–273 (cat. 91).

Cutler, A.: The Aristocratic Psalters in Byzantium. Préface par André Grabar (Cahiers archéologiques. Bibliothèque des Cahiers archéologiques 13), Paris 1984, 39–40 (Nr. 23).

Hutter, I.: “Cardinal Pole's Greek Manuscripts in Oxford”, in: Manuscripts at Oxford: An Exhibition in Memory of R.W. Hunt, Oxford, 1980, 109–113.

Lowden, J.H.: Illuminated Prophet Books. A Study of Byzantine Manuscripts of the Major and Minor Prophets, University Park/London 1988, 26–32, 40, figs. 55–74, 91–94.

Montgomery, J.A.: “The Hexaplaric Strata in the Greek Texts of Daniel”, in: JBL 44 (1925), 289–302 (see criticism by Ziegler).

Stefec, R.S.: “Varia palaeographica Atheniensia”, in: Rivista di Studi Bizantini e Neoellenici 51 (2014), 137–173, 156–161 (EBE 44).

Takiguchi, M.: “The Prophet Book”, in: Tsamakda, V. (ed.): A Companion to Byzantine Illustrated Manuscripts vol. 2 (Brill's Companion to the Byzantine World 2), Leiden et al. 2017, 246–257, 250–251.

Woolfson, J.: “Reginald Pole and His Greek Manuscripts in Oxford: A Reconsideration”, in: The Bodleian Library Record 17 (2000), 79–95, 91, n. 13.

Catalogues

Faulhaber, M.: Hohelied–, Proverbien– und Prediger–Catenen. Untersucht (Theologische Studien der Leo–Gesellschaft 4), Wien 1902, 41–42, 111–112, 150.

Hutter, I. (ed.): Corpus der byzantinischen Miniaturenhandschriften vol. 3.1, Oxford, Bodleian Library III. Textband (Denkmäler der Buchkunst 5/1), Stuttgart 1982, 142–143 (Nr. 94).

Karo, G./Lietzmann, H.: Catenarum Graecarum Catalogus, Göttingen 1902, 301, 311, 314, 322.

Kremos, G.: Κατάλογος τῶν χειρογράφων τῆς Ἐθνικῆς καὶ τῆς τοῦ Πανεπιστημίου Βιβλιοθήκης, Θεολογία I, Athens 1876 (Nr. 2).

Rahlfs, A.: Verzeichnis der griechischen Handschriften des Alten Testaments (Mitteilungen des Septuaginta–Unternehmens der königlichen Gesellschaft der Wissenschaften zu Göttingen 2), Berlin 1914, 6 (Ra 314); 90; 164 (Ra 503); 177 (Ra 62).

Sakkeliōn, I./Sakkeliōn, A.I.: Κατάλογος των χειρογράφων της Εθνικής Βιβλιοθήκης της Ελλάδος, Athens 1892, 7–8 (EBE 44).

Editions

Gentry, P.J. (ed.): Ecclesiastes (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum XI/2), Göttingen 2019, 5, 63–65 (Ra 503, C).

Hanhart, R. (ed.): Esdrae liber II (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum VIII,2), Göttingen ²2017, 10, 30, 65 (Ra 314, a).

Hanhart, R. (ed.): Esdrae liber I (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum VIII,1), Göttingen ²1991, 11, 31 (Ra 314, a).

Hanhart, R. (ed.): Esther (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum VIII,3), Göttingen ²1983, 10, 81, 125 (Ra 314, a).

Hanhart, R. (ed.): Iudith (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum VIII,4), Göttingen 1979, 9, 23 (Ra 314, a).

Hanhart, R. (ed.): Maccabaeorum liber III (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum IX/3), Göttingen ²1980, 7, 17 (Ra 62, l).

Hanhart, R. (ed.): Paralipomenon liber II (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum VII,2), Göttingen 2014, 15 (Ra 314, a).

Hanhart, R. (ed.): Tobit (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum VIII,5), Göttingen 1983, 8, 32, 53 (Ra 314, a).

Kappler, W. (ed.): Maccabaeorum liber I (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Litterarum Gottingensis editum IX/1), Göttingen ³1990, 9, 27 (Ra 62, l).

Kappler, W. /Hanhart, R. (eds.): Maccabaeorum liber II, copiis usus quas reliquit Werner Kappler edidit Robert Hanhart (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum IX/2), Göttingen ⁴2017, 7, 18 (Ra 62, l).

Quast, U. (ed.): Ruth (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum IV/3), Göttingen ²2009, 9, 45, 53–55 (Ra 314, L).

Wevers, J.W. (ed.): Genesis (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum I), Göttingen 1974, 16, 57, 67 (Ra 314, b, Ra 118′ (= 118-314)).

Wevers, J.W./Quast, U. (eds.): Deuteronomium (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum III/2), Göttingen ²2006, 10, 38, 47 (Ra 314, b, Ra 118′ (= 118-314)).

Wevers, J.W./Quast, U. (eds.): *Exodus (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum II/1), Göttingen 1991, 11, 41, 57 (Ra 314, b, Ra 118′ (= 118-314)).

Wevers, J.W./Quast, U. (eds.): Leviticus (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum II/2), Göttingen 1986, 10, 27, 37 (Ra 314, b, Ra 118′ (= 118-314)).

Wevers, J.W./Quast, U. (eds.): Numeri (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum III/1), Göttingen ²2020, 10, 32, 40 (Ra 314, b, Ra 118′ (= 118-314)).

Ziegler, J. (ed.): Duodecim prophetae (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum XIII), Göttingen ³1984, 8, 70, 74 (Ra 62, lI).

Ziegler, J. (ed.): Ezechiel. Mit einem Nachtrag von D. Fraenkel (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum XVI/1), Göttingen ⁴2015, 8, 32, 34–36 (Ra 62, o).

Ziegler, J. (ed.): Isaias (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum XIV), Göttingen ³1983, 8, 73, 74–75 (Ra 62, lI).

Ziegler, J. (ed.): Jeremias, Baruch, Threni, Epistula Jeremiae (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum XV), Göttingen ³2006, 8, 71, 82–83 (Ra 62, l).

Ziegler, J./Munnich, O. (eds.): Susanna. Daniel. Bel et Draco (Septuaginta. Vetus Testamentum Graecum auctoritate Academiae Scientiarum Gottingensis editum XVI/2), Göttingen ²1999, 122, 142–145 (Ra 62, O).