Ambr. A 181 sup., f. 23r

Ambr. A 181 sup., f. 23r

F. 23r contains the end of Book 4 of the Iliad (vv. 506–544) and the incipit of the following book, preceded by its corresponding hypothesis (cf. f. 14v). The customary elegant and carefully devised layout strategies characterizing the entire codex are evident: the Homeric text is arranged in two columns, scholia occupy the margins arranged as a frame and written in a smaller script, while the hypothesis text is transcribed in full-page format, with distinctive letters set in ekthesis and modestly ornamented in red. In this case as well, the scholia text is perfectly contained within the folio, and in the outer margin the transition of scholia from one book to another is marked by two dots, a vertical dash, and a cross with a wavy shaft. In addition to the features noted in the captions to the preceding images, the folio exemplifies the decorative characteristics of the entire manuscript: the frieze separating the two books, outlined in red by the scribe himself, consists of a wavy line and small arches, and displays crude phytomorphic elements at the extremities. The decorative apparatus is completed by simple red Greek crosses framing the indication of the end of Book 4 and the stichometric note in red, as well as cross-shaped dots preceding the title of the hypothesis of Book 5.

Dimensions: writing surface: 275 x 210 mm; writing surface of the poetic text: 225 x 160 mm; intercolumnar space: 20 mm; blank margins: upper 10 mm, lower 33 mm, outer 14 mm, inner 13 mm.