Through the LIBRARY it is possible to consult the data sheet of several important codices that enable to reconstruct the written culture of the patriarchate of Aquileia. Moreover, for many codices, the complete reproductions are made available, which makes this site a true virtual library of patriarchal Friuli.

Cicero, Philippicae, Paradoxa, De amicitia

  • Lavariano (Udine), 1439; parchment; mm 290 × 195; ff. 96.
  • San Daniele del Friuli, Biblioteca Civica Guarneriana, 61.

A humanistic collection of different Cicero’s works copied for Guarnerio d’Artegna by the canon Nicolò of San Vito al Tagliamento at Lavariano (Udine).

The codex is a typically humanistic collection of different Cicero’s works. On f. 1r only a foliage frieze is left of the original decoration, while the miniated initial has been removed; a large number of initials are decorated with leafy whirls in red, green and blue, perhaps by the same hand who also drew the decorated capital initial in the Guarnerianus ms. 74. The copyist’s subscription can be read on f. 91v: «Gloria deo sit eterno patri et cetera. Marci Tulii Ciceronis ad Quintum Mucium de amicitia liber explicit. Lavariani per Nicolaum presbiterum de Sanctovito Concordiensis diocesis canonicum Utinensem 1439, 15 kalendas octobres»]. Nicolò di San Vito, notary, canon of Udine and parish priest of Lavariano, transcribed other codices intended for Guarnerio’s library, too; the littera antiqua script he made use of has been assessed as particularly original and non-depending on Florentine models. Next to the Paradoxa text the codex shows copious marginal notations, the majority of which are by Guarnerio’s hand; they have a prevailingly exegetic meaning; other notes, written to make it clear the meaning of words of Greek origin, are an evidence of how the knowledge of that language was precarious.

Country of locationItaly
LocationSan Daniele del Friuli
Library / CollectionBiblioteca Civica Guarneriana
Shelfmark61
AuthorCicero
LanguagesLatin
Support materialParchment
Extentff. 96
Formatmm 290 × 195
Place of originLavariano (Udine)
Age1439
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