Medieval and Early Modern Greek Manuscripts : Harmonics

Ptolemy

Medieval and Early Modern Greek Manuscripts

<p style='text-align: justify;'> The manuscript contains a treatise on music theory from the 2nd century CE, <i> Ptolemy's <i> Harmonics</i></i>. Ptolemy wrote fundamental works in the field of astronomy (the <i> Almagest</i>), geography and astrology; his treatise on harmonics was influential also for scholars in Byzantium and beyond. Harmonics is the science of harmony, combining music, philosophy and mathematics. </p><p style='text-align: justify;'> This volume was part of the collection of the English classical scholar Thomas Gale (c. 1635-1702), who had it copied around the middle of the 17th century from Oxford, St. John's College, MS 30 ( I. Düring [ed.], <i> Die Harmonielehre des Klaudios Ptolemaios</i> (Göteborg, 1930), pp. XI, LIX; the codex is indicated as " Codex Coll. Trinitatis Cantabrigiensis I"; see also History). Gale lent the manuscript to John Wallis, who used it for the first printed edition of the text in 1682. </p><p style='text-align: justify;'> Dr Erika Elia</p>