SMC 15
Studies on Greek and Coptic Majuscule Scripts and Books
By Pasquale Orsini
The volume contains a critical review of data, results and open problems concerning the principal Greek and Coptic majuscule bookhands, based on previous research of the author, revised and updated to offer an overview of the different graphic phenomena. Although the various chapters address the history of different types of scripts (i.e. biblical majuscule, sloping pointed majuscule, liturgical majuscule, epigraphic and monumental scripts), their juxtaposition allows us to identify common issues of the comparative method of palaeography. From an overall critical assessment of these aspects the impossibility of applying a unique historical paradigm to interpret the formal expressions and the history of the different bookhands comes up, due to the fact that each script follows different paths. Particular attention is also devoted to the use of Greek majuscules in the writing of ancient Christian books. A modern and critical awareness of palaeographic method may help to place the individual witnesses in the context of the main graphic trends, in the social and cultural environments in which they developed, and in a more accurate chronological framework.
FrontmatterI
ContentsV
IntroductionVII
1. The Scripts of the Nag Hammadi Codices1
2. The Scripts of the Bodmer Papyri8931
3. Greek Biblical Majuscule57
4. Coptic Biblical Majuscule98
5. Sloping Pointed Majuscule133
6. Liturgical Majuscule165
7. Decorated Liturgical Majuscule198
Glossary of Palaeographical Terms employed in the Text212
References213
List of Papyri and Manuscripts247
About the Author259