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Source Description
In the early fifth century, the neoplatonic philosopher Macrobius produced an important commentary on a segment of Cicero’s De Republica known as the Somnium Scipionis, or “Dream of Scipio.” In this dream, Scipio Africanus tells his grandson about the nature of the universe and the movements of the planets according to the beliefs of ancient Greek philosophers. These included Pythagorean concepts about the music of the spheres, in which each planetary sphere emitted a specific tone, and which created harmony with the other planets as they moved. Cicero’s text provided a foundation upon which Macrobius could then build with his own thoughts on physics, astronomical concepts, and planetary harmonies. This copy of Macrobius' commentary was produced most likely in northeastern France in the late twelfth century. The manuscript includes seven major diagrams, of which four are original to the manuscript (fols. 38v, 41r, 43v, and 47v) and three others, including a map of the world, were added early in the history of the manuscript (fols. 64v, 65v, and 66r). Additional minor diagrams demonstrating relationships in philosophical ideas or other concepts introduced in the text appear throughout the manuscript in the margins, added by later hands.
Scholar Source Context
Document identity
localId
23820
label
Leaf from Commentarii in Somnium Scipionis: Map of the World
core
obj
dtoType
object
citationUrl
pageCount
4
Source metadata
id
23820
sourceUrl
contentType
object
stage
normalized
title
Leaf from Commentarii in Somnium Scipionis: Map of the World
description
In the early fifth century, the neoplatonic philosopher Macrobius produced an important commentary on a segment of Cicero’s De Republica known as the Somnium Scipionis, or “Dream of Scipio.” In this dream, Scipio Africanus tells his grandson about the nature of the universe and the movements of the planets according to the beliefs of ancient Greek philosophers. These included Pythagorean concepts about the music of the spheres, in which each planetary sphere emitted a specific tone, and which created harmony with the other planets as they moved. Cicero’s text provided a foundation upon which Macrobius could then build with his own thoughts on physics, astronomical concepts, and planetary harmonies. This copy of Macrobius' commentary was produced most likely in northeastern France in the late twelfth century. The manuscript includes seven major diagrams, of which four are original to the manuscript (fols. 38v, 41r, 43v, and 47v) and three others, including a map of the world, were added early in the history of the manuscript (fols. 64v, 65v, and 66r). Additional minor diagrams demonstrating relationships in philosophical ideas or other concepts introduced in the text appear throughout the manuscript in the margins, added by later hands.
provenance
Franciscan ownership, 14th century [1]. Acquired by Abbot Luigi Celotti [ca. 1768-1846] [2], first half 19th century; Celotti Sale, Evans, London, 14 March 1825, no. 478; purchased by Thomas Thorpe [1791-1851], London, 1825. Acquired by Sir Thomas Phillipps [3]; Phillipps Sale, Sotheby's, London, April 27-May 2 1903, no. 749; purchased by Bernard Quaritch, 1903; purchased by Henry Walters, Baltimore, 1903; by bequest to Walters Art Museum, 1931.[1] notation on fol. 66r[2] ""Celotti"" added on front pastedown during first half of 19th century[3] Ms. 1029
date
ca. 1175-1200 (Medieval)
citationUrl
rightsUri
CC0
language
en
genreSpecific
illuminated manuscripts
folios (leaves)
imageCount
4
pageCount
4
source
import
dimensions
units
cm
width
20.3
height
11.5
dimensionsRaw
Folio H: 8 × W: 4 1/2 in. (20.25 × 11.5 cm)
Source extras
cul
French; Flemish
style
Romanesque
med
ink and paint on thin to medium-weight calfskin
creator_ids
7555
6229
collection_ids
MSS
MED
exhibition_ids
125
162
Page inventory
seq
1
type
photo
mediaId
d582337230f1517e
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
2
type
photo
mediaId
87571a6d9ed9134a
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
3
type
photo
mediaId
63d6978262537a6e
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no
seq
4
type
photo
mediaId
a1d211dbbdb21842
hasOcr
no
hasDescription
no