Full Description
Deir al-Surian, the famous Monastery of the Syrians in Egypt, has long
been known for its unique collection of Syriac, Coptic, Arabic, and
Ethiopian manuscripts. This catalogue provides detailed descriptions of
the 48 Syriac manuscripts (many of them composite) and the more than 180
fragments that are preserved in the Monastery today. Ranging in date
from the 5th to the 18th century and with a majority of them being
earlier than the 10th century, the manuscripts present us with major
authors and works of the Syriac literary tradition. They include
biblical texts (among them the earliest dated Gospel manuscript in any
language), original Syriac compositions, and translations from Greek and
(occasionally) Coptic. Several works were previously unattested.
Connections with manuscripts from Deir al-Surian that are preserved in
European collections (primarily the British Library) are indicated
wherever relevant. Colophons and various kinds of notes by scribes,
readers, owners, and occasional visitors also receive attention, thus
allowing interesting glimpses into the history not only of individual
manuscripts, but also of the Monastery and its library. Accompanying the
catalogue is an album containing more than 300 pages of images.
