{"title":"Curating the Syriac Literary Heritage in Egyptian Monasteries: A Newly Identified Numeral System in Syriac (British Library, add. 14587)*","authors":"Forness P.","doi":"10.1093/jss/fgab027","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<span><div>Abstract</div>Syriac manuscripts feature several systems of numerals, and earlier studies have identified three based on the Syriac alphabet. Marginal notes found in the manuscript London, British Library, Add. 14587 preserve a fourth and previously undescribed alphabetic numeral system. After presenting this system and discussing the evidence that led to its identification, this article argues on palaeographic grounds that the late eighth century forms a <span style=\"font-style:italic;\">terminus post quem</span> for the numerals found in this manuscript. Analyses of a donation note and another manuscript further suggest that the numerals were added by a monk or monks from the Syriac tradition residing in Egypt, associated with either a monastery in Upper Egypt or the Monastery of the Syrians (Dayr al-Suryan) in Wadi al-Naṭ. In either case, the alphabetic numeral system found in the margins of this manuscript reflects theefforts of Syriac monastic communities in Egypt to curate the Syriac literary heritage and shape the way others encountered it.</span>","PeriodicalId":17130,"journal":{"name":"Journal of Semitic Studies","volume":"284 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.3000,"publicationDate":"2022-02-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Journal of Semitic Studies","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1093/jss/fgab027","RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"社会学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"0","JCRName":"ASIAN STUDIES","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Syriac manuscripts feature several systems of numerals, and earlier studies have identified three based on the Syriac alphabet. Marginal notes found in the manuscript London, British Library, Add. 14587 preserve a fourth and previously undescribed alphabetic numeral system. After presenting this system and discussing the evidence that led to its identification, this article argues on palaeographic grounds that the late eighth century forms a terminus post quem for the numerals found in this manuscript. Analyses of a donation note and another manuscript further suggest that the numerals were added by a monk or monks from the Syriac tradition residing in Egypt, associated with either a monastery in Upper Egypt or the Monastery of the Syrians (Dayr al-Suryan) in Wadi al-Naṭ. In either case, the alphabetic numeral system found in the margins of this manuscript reflects theefforts of Syriac monastic communities in Egypt to curate the Syriac literary heritage and shape the way others encountered it.
期刊介绍：
The Journal of Semitic Studies was established in 1955 and since then has built up a reputation as one of the leading international academic journals in its field. Semitic Studies has always been understood by the editors to include the modern as well as the ancient Near (Middle) East, with special emphasis on research into the languages and literatures of the area. The editors continue to maintain the policy of ensuring that each volume contains items of interest to Orientalists and Biblical Scholars. Extensive reviews of selected books, as well as general review notices, remain a feature of the Journal.
京公网安备 11010802042870号
京ICP备2023020795号-1
分享
求助内容：
应助结果提醒方式：
扫码关注我们
