Definition
Minuscule 108 is a Greek minuscule manuscript of the New Testament, catalogued as number 108 in the Gregory‑Aland numbering system used for Greek New Testament manuscripts.
Overview
The codex contains the text of the four Gospels written in Greek minuscule script on parchment leaves. It is dated by paleographic analysis to the 11th or 12th century. The manuscript is part of the Byzantine text‑type tradition and has been examined in the context of New Testament textual criticism. Minuscule 108 is presently housed at the Bibliothèque nationale de France in Paris (shelf‑mark Gr. 108).
Etymology / Origin
The designation “minuscule” refers to the style of Greek script employed, which developed from the 9th century onward and is characterized by a small, cursive hand. The numeral “108” is the sequential identifier assigned to this manuscript within the Gregory‑Aland catalogue, a system introduced by Caspar René Gregory and later continued by Kurt Aland to provide a standardized reference for Greek New Testament witnesses.
Characteristics
- Material – Parchment (animal skin).
- Script – Greek minuscule, typical of the Byzantine period.
- Contents – The complete text of the four Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John).
- Structure – Written in a single column per page, with an average of 22–24 lines per page; exact dimensions of the leaves are recorded as approximately 29 cm × 22 cm, though precise measurements vary among catalogues.
- Textual Family – Classified within the Byzantine textual tradition (Category V in Aland’s classification).
- Marginalia – Includes lectionary markings, κεφαλαια (chapter) numbers, and occasional liturgical notes, indicating its use in ecclesiastical contexts.
- Lacunae – No major gaps are reported, though minor scratches and ink loss affect certain passages.
- Provenance – Originating from a Byzantine monastery, the manuscript entered the French national collection during the 19th century through acquisition from a private collector.
Related Topics
- Greek New Testament Manuscripts – The broader corpus of handwritten New Testament copies, encompassing papyri, uncials, minuscules, and lectionaries.
- Gregory‑Aland Numbering – The authoritative catalogue system for Greek New Testament manuscripts.
- Textual Criticism – The scholarly discipline that evaluates manuscript evidence to reconstruct the earliest attainable text of the New Testament.
- Byzantine Text‑type – The dominant textual tradition of Greek manuscripts from the medieval period, characterized by a relatively uniform text.
Note: While the majority of the information above derives from established manuscript catalogues and scholarly references, specific details such as exact leaf dimensions and the full extent of marginalia may vary between sources.