Contents

Data Source: Mmmonk

• Manuscript 516 contains three texts and a couple of pages of annotations. The first text (ff. 3r-128r) is a set of sentences on Aristotle's Metaphysics, written by Thomas Aquinas (1225-1274). They are followed by a couple of pages (ff. 128v-130v) scribbled with philosophical notations. It appears there is no direct relation between the several notes; they do not share a common theme, authority or subject. The third text is Avicenna's (980-1037) abridged version of Aristotle's De animalibus. This work was translated from Arabic to Latin by Michael Scotus and dedicated to emperor Frederick II. As in several other copies of the text, the original colophon of the manuscript presented to the emperor was copied; it states that the latter was finished by Henricus Coloniensis on August 9th 1232 at Melfi in the house of the imperial physician. Also taken from the imperial copy is a list of synonyms (synonima) of words found in the text. The final text (ff. 167r-193v) is another work of Avicenna, on the sixth book of Aristotle's De naturalibus. This book is also known individually as De anima. At the end the dedicatory letter of the translator Avendauth to the archbishop of Toledo (found normally at the beginning) has also been included. With the exception of the philosophical notes, the texts share external characteristics. Written in a textualis script in two columns, they are organized through rubrics and paragraph marks, and decorated with penwork initials. The binding is medieval and consists of full leather over wooden boards. The fenestra has survived and is attached to the back board. Traces of clamps are visible. The codex was originally owned by the Ter Doest abbey, and found its way into the collection of Ten Duinen. The cross-shaped stamp of the latter abbey is found on the first and final leaves. [Summary by Dr. Mark Vermeer]