MS 199: Satires by Juvenal, late 15th century
Item
Identifier: MS 199
Contents
Juvenal was an early second-century AD Roman poet. Although little else is known about his life, he is credited with having written sixteen satires. When first published, the satires were divided into five books, and in them Juvenal criticised the beliefs and morals of his contemporaries. Juvenal addresses many of the concerns in second-century Rome in his poems, including the tensions between non-Roman social climbers and Roman citizens, the preservation of existing social class, and the excesses of the Roman citizen class.
All sixteen satires are contained in MS 199. In this volume, each satire begins with an argumenta, in red ink, followed by the text of the satire.
The first satire begins on f. 1r with the Argument: In hac satyra causas primum reddit... The text of the satire begins on the same folio: Semper ego auditor tantum?
The remaining fifteen satires and arguments are found on the following folios:
- ff. 5r-9r: Satire II
- ff. 9r-16r: Satire III
- ff. 16v-19v: Satire IV
- ff. 20r-24r: Satire V
- ff. 24r-38r: Satire VI
- ff. 38r-43v: Satire VII
- ff. 43v-49v: Satire VIII
- ff. 49v-53r: Satire IX
- ff. 53r-61r: Satire X
- ff. 61r-65v: Satire XI
- ff. 66r-69r: Satire XII
- ff. 69r-74v: Satire XIII
- ff. 74v-82r: Satire XIV
- ff. 82r-83v: Satire XV
- ff. 83v-88r: Satire XVI
The last of Juvenal's satires, Satire XVI ends on f. 88r of MS 199 with the line et ventri indulsit non omne legumen. Telos.
Writing
Written in a good italic hand, the Argumenta on f. 1r in pale red. Titles are in purple or green capitals, and the initials are plain Roman capitals touched with a thin wash of colour, either blue or lake.
Illumination
The initial at the beginning is of flat gold and contains a figure like Pan playing a lyre, a helmet and armour beside him, a landscape background, and all in water colour.
Dates
- late 15th century
Creator
- Juvenal, fl c 60-127 (Roman poet) (Author, Person)
Language of Materials
Latin
Conditions Governing Access
The collection is open to all. The manuscripts can be consulted in the Centre for Research Collections, Edinburgh University Main Library.
Extent
1 bound MS volume
Custodial History
The script is Italian, but there are no marks of early ownership. The book belonged to Mr. W. H. Black, whose signature is found on the inner board, and who also contributes bibliographical notes on a fly-leaf at the beginning of the volume. In these notes he states that the book was bought in London, May 1871: Istum codicem Londinio emebat Melas Miliarensis xv Maii Anno 1871. David Laing presumably bought MS 199 at the sale of W. M Black's library in 1873. The B.M. Catalogue of this sale indicates that it was bought by 'Saunders' for £1, 3s (Sale Catalogue of W. H. Black, London, 1873. No. 1359).
Previous reference
Laing 438
Previous title
Title given to the manuscript in Catherine Borland's catalogue: Juvenalis Satyre
Physical Facet
Material: Paper
Binding: Paper boards covered vellum, lettered Juvenalis Satyr: ms. Cum Argumentis antt. Codex Saec. xv.
Collation: a10—h10, i9=89.
Binding: Paper boards covered vellum, lettered Juvenalis Satyr: ms. Cum Argumentis antt. Codex Saec. xv.
Collation: a10—h10, i9=89.
Dimensions
16.67 cm x 10.48 cm
General
Secundo folio: ventilet aestivum
Foliation and number of lines to a page: ff. 88 (+1), 24 lines to a page.
Repository Details
Part of the University of Edinburgh Library Heritage Collections Repository
Contact:
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk
Centre for Research Collections
University of Edinburgh Main Library
George Square
Edinburgh EH8 9LJ Scotland
+44(0)131 650 8379
heritagecollections@ed.ac.uk