Manuscript, written in Italy in the 15th century, of works by or attributed to Lactantius.
Scope and Contents
The contents of the manuscript are as follows:
(i) `De ira Dei` (folio 1). The text is similar to that printed in, ‘Patrologiae Cursus Completus ... Latina’, volume vii, 79-148, but contains 24 chapters (cf. ‘Patrologiae Cursus Completus ... Latina’, volume vii, 146, note). There are several lacunae which suggest that the scribe may have copied a damaged exemplar: part of chapters 16 and 17 is missing (folio 16 recto) and blank spaces have been left for two passages in chapter 18 (folios 17 verso, 18 recto). A space has also been left for the Greek verses (folio 21), though elsewhere they have been translated into Latin (folio 20 verso).
(ii) ` De opificio Dei` (folio 22 verso). ‘Patrologiae Cursus Completus ... Latina’, volume vii, 9-78. The text is preceded by a list of chapter headings. Chapter 19 includes (folio 43) the passage rejected by Migne (‘Patrologiae Cursus Completus ... Latina’, volume vii, 75, note), incipit `Dedit ei et constituit adversarium nequissimum`.
(iii) `Versus de fenice` (folio 44). ‘Patrologiae Cursus Completus ... Latina’, volume vii, 277-284.
(iv) `Versus de Resurrectione Christi`, the poem by Venantius Fortunatus, here attributed to Lactantius (folio 47). Incipit `Salve feste dies`, the first two lines are lines 39-40 in ‘Patrologiae Cursus Completus ... Latina’, volume vii, 285-290 and the edition by F Leo in ‘Monumenta Germaniae historica. Auctores Antiquissimi’, iv, pages 59-62. The poem ends at line 100, `Ecclesie pastus ubere lacte sinu. Finis.`
Written in an italic hand with titles and chapter headings in capitals. There is a large gold initial with white foliage on a pink and blue ground (folio 1) and four plain blue initials.
Dates
- Creation: 15th century.
Extent
1 Volumes (viii + 48 folios.)
Language of Materials
Latin
Arrangement
Collation: 1-4¹⁰, 5⁸. Catchword (folio 10 verso). Early 19th-century binding of brown morocco, gilt-tooled.
Physical Characteristics and Technical Requirements
Paper, watermark fruit with leaves (cf. Briquet 7345-7346, 7374); folio ii is watermarked 1815.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Presented, 1925, by the Faculty of Advocates to the nation on the foundation of the National Library of Scotland.
Bibliography
‘Monumenta Germaniae historica. Auctores Antiquissimi’, iv, edited by F Leo (Berlin, 1881).
Genre / Form
- Title
- National Library of Scotland Catalogue of Manuscripts
- Author
- National Library of Scotland
- Date
- 28 01 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
Archives and Manuscript Division
National Library of Scotland
George IV Bridge
Edinburgh EH1 1EJ
0131 623 3700
manuscripts@nls.uk