Database of Byzantine Book Epigrams

Type 1974
(formerly typ/76)

	Ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα σήπεται τάφῳ,
	γραφὴ δὲ μένει εἰς χρόνους πληρεστάτους.

Text status	Text completely known
Editorial status	Not a critical text
Genre(s)	Scribe-related epigram
Metre(s)	Dodecasyllable
Tag(s)	Completion of the book
Critical Notes	μένει (2) is sometimes replaced by φαίνει, cf. Lauxtermann (2003: 200), Rhoby (2009: 44).
Translation(s)	De hand die dit schreef, rot nu in een graf, Maar het geschrift blijft bestaan tot het einde der tijden. Language Dutch Source(s) J. Boeten, S. De Groot 2022, Verzen uit de marge (gehaald): een introductie op Byzantijnse boekepigrammen, Tetradio - Tijdschrift van het Griekenlandcentrum, 30, 11-34: 23 The hand that wrote rots in the grave, but the writing remains till the end of time. Language English Source(s) M. Lauxtermann, 2003, Byzantine Poetry from Pisides to Geometres (vol. 1), Vienna: 200 The hand that has written rots in the grave; the written word endures forever. Language English Source(s) A. Marava-Chatzinikolaou, C. Toufexi-Paschou, 1978, Catalogue of the Illuminated Byzantine Manuscripts of the National Library of Greece. Manuscripts of the New Testament Texts 10th-12th Century (vol. 1), Athens: 125
Comment	Rhoby (2009: 44): "Von dieser Schlussformel existieren über 100 Varianten; eine ist auch inschriftlich angebracht, nämlich am Ende einer 1633-1636 datierten Stifterinschrift im Katholikon des (aufgelassenen) Klosters Hagios Demetrios Katarrhaktes im Osten der Insel Euboia. Am Beginn von Vers 2 ist ὁ δὲ ναὸς μένει statt γραφὴ δὲ μένει zu lesen." Atsalos (1988: 695 n. 17): "Es bestätigt die große Verbreitung der Formel, daß sie bei der Restaurierung einer Kirche im J. 1636 auf Euboia verwendet wurde. ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα σήπεται τάφῳ· ὁ δὲ ναὸς μένει εἰς χρόνους πληρεστάτους." Cf. Lesb. Leimonos 142 (anno 1501): ... καὶ εὔχεσθαι με διατὸν (sic) κύριον· ὅτι πᾶς ὁ γράφων, παραγράφη· ἡ δὲ θεία γραφή εἰς αἰῶνας μένει. (Atsalos 1988: 695 n. 17). A variant of this epigram also occurs in manuscript Sofia, CIAI 672 (App. 3.3), where it is written down by a 16th-century hand: 'ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα σέπιτε τάφω. ἡ δε γραφ(ὴ) μένοι εἰς αλοι[...]\|κτους αἰώ(νας)' (Getov 2014: 296).
Bibliography	Primary J. Boeten, S. De Groot 2019, The Byzantine Antiquarian: a Case Study of a Compiled Colophon, Byzantinische Zeitschrift, 112, 31-46: 32 J. Boeten, S. De Groot 2022, Verzen uit de marge (gehaald): een introductie op Byzantijnse boekepigrammen, Tetradio - Tijdschrift van het Griekenlandcentrum, 30, 11-34: 23 D. Getov, 2014, A catalogue of the Greek manuscripts at the Ecclesiastical Historical and Archival Institute of the Patriarchate of Bulgaria. Bačkovo Monastery (vol. 1), Turnhout: 296 Secondary N. Vanhoe, World Book Day blog: Voices from the margins (posted on: 2021-04-22). Bibliography category to be determined B. Atsalos 1991, Die Formel Ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα… in den Griechischen handschriften, in G. Cavallo, G. De Gregorio, M. Maniaci (eds.), Scritture, libri e testi nelle aree provinciali di Bisanzio. Atti del Seminario di Erice (18-25 settembre 1988) (vol. 2), Spoleto, 691-750: 741 D. Balageorgos, F. Kretikou, 1994, Σινὰ (vol. 1), Athens: 14 P. Canart, 1970, Codices Vaticani Graeci. Codices 1745-1962. Codicum enarrationes (vol. 7.1), Vatican City: 441 F. Euangelatou-Notara, 1982, Σημειώματα ἑλληνικῶν κωδίκων ὡς πηγὴ διὰ τὴν ἔρευναν τοῦ οἰκονομικοῦ καὶ κοινωνικοῦ βίου τοῦ Βυζαντίου ἀπὸ τοῦ 9ου αἰῶνος μέχρι τοῦ ἔτους 1204, Athens: 207, 217 F. Euangelatou-Notara 1983, Ἕλληνες γραφεῖς τοῦ 13ου αἰῶνα: Προσθῆκες καὶ διορθώσεις στὸ Εὑρετήριο τῶν Vogel-Gardthausen, Δίπτυχα Ἑταιρείας Βυζαντινῶν καὶ Μεταβυζαντινῶν Μελετῶν, 3, 184-239: 200 F. Euangelatou-Notara, 1984, Συλλογὴ χρονολογημένων σημειωμάτων ἑλληνικῶν κωδίκων. 13ος αἰώνας, Athens: 87, 150 E. Gamillscheg 1993, Subskriptionen griechischer Handschriften als historische Quelle, in F. Berger (ed.), Symbolae Berolinenses für Dieter Harlfinger, Amsterdam, 293-306: 296 G. Garitte 1962, Sur une formule des colophons de manuscrits grecs, in Collectanea vaticana in honorem Anselmi M. Card. Albareda a Bibliotheca Apostolica edita, Vatican City, 359-390: P. Géhin, M. Cacouros, C. Förstel, M. Germain, P. Hoffmann, C. Jouanno, B. Mondrain, D. Grosdidier de Matons, 2005, Les manuscrits grecs datés des XIIIe et XIVe siècles conservés dans les bibliothèques publiques de France (vol. 2), Turnhout: 41 I. Hutter, 1982, Corpus der byzantinischen Miniaturenhandschriften. Oxford Bodleian Library III. Textband (vol. 3.1), Stuttgart: 157 S. Kadas, 1996, Τά σημειώματα τῶν χειρογράφων τῆς Μονῆς Διονυσίου, Athos: S. Kadas, 2000, Τὰ σημειώματα τῶν χειρογράφων τῆς Ἱερᾱς Μεγίστης Μονῆς Βατοπαιδίου, Mount Athos: A. Kominis, 1988, Πατμιακὴ βιβλιοθήκη ἤτοι νέος κατάλογος τῶν χειρογράφων κωδίκων τῆς Ἱερᾶς Μονῆς Ἁγίου Ἰωάννου τοῦ Θεολόγου, Athens: 20 K. Kyrris 1973, Ἀναλυτικὸς κατάλογος τῶν κωδίκων τῆς Ἱερᾶς μονῆς Κύκκου, Ἐπετερὶς τοῦ Κέντρου Ἐπιστημονικῶν Ἐρευνῶν Λευκωσία, 7, 305-415: M. Lauxtermann, 2003, Byzantine Poetry from Pisides to Geometres (vol. 1), Vienna: 200 A. Marava-Chatzinikolaou, C. Toufexi-Paschou, 1978, Catalogue of the Illuminated Byzantine Manuscripts of the National Library of Greece. Manuscripts of the New Testament Texts 10th-12th Century (vol. 1), Athens: A. Marava-Chatzinikolaou, C. Toufexi-Paschou, 1985, Catalogue of the Illuminated Byzantine Manuscripts of the National Library of Greece. Manuscripts of the New Testament Manuscripts 13th - 15th Century (vol. 2), Athens: E. Mioni, 1992, Catalogus codicum Graecorum Bibliothecae Nationalis Neapolitanae (vol. 1.1), Rome: 20 P. Nikolopoulos, 1973, Αἱ εἰς τὸν Ἰωάννην τὸν Χρυσόστομον ἐσφαλμένως ἀποδιδόμεναι ἐπιστολαί, Athens: L. Politis, M. Politi, 1991, Κατάλογος τῶν χειρογράφων τῆς Ἐθνικῆς Βιβλιοθήκης τῆς Ἑλλάδος ἀρ. 1857-2500, Athens: 93 A. Rhoby, 2009, Byzantinische Epigramme auf Fresken und Mosaiken, Wien: 44 A. Rocchi, 1883, Codices cryptenses seu Abbatiae Cryptae Ferratae in Tusculano digesti et illustrati, Tusculani: I. Sakkelion, A. Sakkelion, 1892, Κατάλογος τῶν χειρογράφων τῆς Ἐθνικῆς Βιβλιοθήκης τῆς Ἑλλάδος, Athens: C. Samberger, 1965, Catalogi codicum graecorum qui in minoribus bibliothecis Italicis asservantur (vol. 1), Leipzig: 409 A. Turyn, 1964, Codices graeci vaticani saeculis XIII et XIV scripti annorumque notis instructi, Vatican City: display 22 more references (25 in total) hide 22 references (25 in total)
Number of verses	2
Occurrence(s)	[17015] ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα, σήπετε τάφω [1089] ATHENS - Ethnike Bibliotheke tes Hellados 180 [1089] (f. 393r) (2 verses) [18305] Ἱ μὲν χὺρ ἡ γράψασα σύπτεται τάφω [1417] ATHENS - Ethnike Bibliotheke tes Hellados 2045 [1326-1425] (f. 7v) (2 verses) [18517] ἠ μὲν χεῖρ ἠ γράψασα, σή\|πεται τάφω [1270] ATHENS - Ethnike Bibliotheke tes Hellados 2672 [1270] (f. 120r) (2 verses) [23392] Ή μὲν χεῖρ ἡ γράψασα, \| σήπετε τάφω [1209] ATHOS - Mone Batopediou 911 [1209] (f. 155v) (2 verses) [19027] ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα σήπεται τάφω [1291] ATHOS - Mone Batopediou 1486 [1291] (f. 299r) (2 verses) [19626] Ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα. σήπεται τάφῳ [15th c.] MODENA - Biblioteca Estense Universitaria α. S. 8. 11 (Puntoni 172; olim II F 7) [15th c.] (f. 194v) (2 verses) [18908] ἡ χεὶρ μ(ὲν) ἡ γρά(ψασ)α σίπετ(αι) τάφω [1192] NAPLES - Biblioteca Nazionale - ex-Vind. gr. 9* [1192] (f. 169r) (2 verses) [18911] ἡ χεὶρ μὲν ἡ γράψασα σίπεται τάφω [14th c.] NAPLES - Biblioteca Nazionale - gr. II A 2 [14th c.] (f. 170r) (2 verses) [23076] (...) σήπετ(αι) τά\|φῶ [12th c.] OXFORD - Bodleian Library - Auct. T. 2.1 [12th c.] (f. 293r) (2 verses) [19565] ἡ χείρ μὲν \| ἡ γράψασα· σίπεται \| τάφω [1253] OXFORD - Bodleian Library - Clarke 8 [1253] (f. 196r) (2 verses) [18860] χεῖρα μὲν ἡ γράψασα σύπεται τάφῳ [14th c.] PAPHOS - Mone Kukkou 49 (Kyrris) [14th c.] (f. 195v) (2 verses) [18728] ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα σύπεται τάφω [1167] PARIS - Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BNF) - gr. 83 [1167] (f. 298v) (2 verses) [22101] Ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα, \| (...) τάφω [1319] PARIS - Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BNF) - gr. 358 [1319] (p. 493) (2 verses) [17080] ἠ χεὶρ μὲν ἠ γράψασα σύπετε τάφω [1021] PARIS - Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BNF) - gr. 375 [1021] (f. 193r) (2 verses) [21494] Ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα τήνδε τὴν βίβλον [14th c.] PARIS - Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BNF) - gr. 1553 [14th c.] (f. 301r) (6 verses) [21496] εἰ μὲν χειρ ἡ γραψασα, συπεται τάφω [15th c.] PARIS - Bibliothèque Nationale de France (BNF) - gr. 1699 [15th c.] (f. 185v) (2 verses) [18235] ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα, σέσημπται τάφῳ, [13th c.] PATMOS - Mone tou Hagiou Ioannou tou Theologou 13 [13th c.] ((gen.) auf der Spiegelkaschierung (Papier) des hinteren Deckels (Atsalos 1991: 748)) (2 verses) [21481] Ἔγραψε ταυτ(α) χεῖρ \| μιχαῆλ (μον)αχ(οῦ) [1020] SAINT PETERSBURG - Rossijskaja Nacional'naja biblioteka (RNB) - Ф. № 906 (Gr.) Gr. 71 (Granstrem 195) [1020] (f. 169r -- (gen.) at the end of the note) (3 verses) [21497] εἰ μὲν χεὶ(..) \| ἡ γράψασα μέλλει σίπτεσθ(...) \| τάφω [1282] SINAI - Mone tes Hagias Aikaterines - gr. 50 [1282] (f. 263r) (2 verses) [18783] ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα σήπετ(αι) τάφω [12th-13th c.] SINAI - Mone tes Hagias Aikaterines - gr. 775 [12th-13th c.] (f. 166r) (2 verses) [19729] Ἡ χεὶρ μὲν γράψασα τὴν βίβλον ταύτην [1315] SINAI - Mone tes Hagias Aikaterines - gr. 805 [1315] (f. 180r) (3 verses) [18522] ὁτὶ χεῖρ μεν ἠ γράψασα σίπεται τάφω [1276] VATICAN CITY - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana - Barb. gr. 455 [1276] (f. 145r) (2 verses) [21512] εἰ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα σύπτεται τάφῳ [05/11/1442] VATICAN CITY - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana - Palat. gr. 159 [05/11/1442] (f. 188r) (2 verses) [21513] εἰ μὲν χυρὶ γράψασα, σίπεται τάφω [1449] VATICAN CITY - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana - Palat. gr. 256 [1449] (f. 389v) (2 verses) [21504] ἠ μ(ὲν) χεὶρ ἠ γράψασα \| σήπετε τάφω [14th c.] VATICAN CITY - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana - Vat. gr. 572 [14th-15th c.] (f. 18r) (2 verses) [17885] χεὶρ μὲν ἡ γράψασα σήπεται τάφω [1118] VATICAN CITY - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana - Vat. gr. 1646 [1118] (f. 278v) (2 verses) [16995] Ὅτι χεὶρ ἡ γρά\|ψασα σίπεται τάφω [1037] VATICAN CITY - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana - Vat. gr. 1650 [1037] (f. 186r) (2 verses) [17859] ἄναρχε θεὲ· τῶ τρησώλβιων βήος [1173] VATICAN CITY - Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana - Vat. gr. 1853 [1173] (f. 124r) (10 verses) [21536] Ἡ μὲν χεὶρ ἡ γράψασα κόνις φανήσεται, [1394] VENICE - Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana - gr. app. X 5 [1394] (f. 124v) (3 verses) display 26 more occurrences (29 in total) hide 26 occurrences (29 in total)
Related type(s)	[2387] Ἔγραψα χειρὶ. σήπεται. γραφὴ μένει (1 verse) (Variant (other wordings)) [34498] Ἡ χεὶρ μὲν ἡ γράψασα σήπεται τάφῳ (6 verses) (Variant (other wordings))
Acknowledgements	Contributor(s) Ilse De Vos, Anne-Sophie Rouckhout The credits system has been implemented in 2019. Credits from before the new system was in use might be incomplete.
Identification	Paratexts of the Bible (Pinakes), 16325 Vassis ICB 2011, 224: "Librarii subscr."
Permalink	https://www.dbbe.ugent.be/types/1974

Last modified: 2024-04-08.

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