DOI Artikel:
Crum, Walter E.: Progress of Egyptology: coptic studies
DOI Seite / Zitierlink: https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.11174#0081
08
PsOGEESS of Egyptology.
refer especially to the liturgy of the White Monaster}'. The ' Inter-
pretation de la Resurrection' (no. 91) is part of an Easter hymnal ;
the ' Revelation de l'autel' (no. 92) shows hymns to various saints with
a curious, stereotyped formula for martyrs, the name being left blank
(p. 485). Finally, it may be mentioned that in nos. 43, 3 and in 60, 13
are the quire, not the page numbers, that in nos. 53 and 88 the rectos
are printed after the versos, that nos. 58 and 79 are from the same MS.,
and that no. 44 belongs to the unique Sinuthian liturgy, Paris MS. 68.
A most welcome feature of the catalogue is the careful registration of all
biblical quotations.
Students of Byzantine art have long realized that one of the most
problematical aspects of its history is that which it displays in Egypt.
Prof. Strzygowski has made a study of some eight monuments24 all of
supposed Egyptian provenance, with a view to helping the solution of
the questions of local or national—Greek, Egyptian, Syrian, Arab,—
influences involved. The documents are discussed in their chronological
sequence, beginning with a large statue in Gizeh of obviously late
classical and probably Christian style. Those afterwards examined range
from sculptured stone slabs and carved door panels to ivory combs with
groups and figures in relief. The latest epoch represented is held to bo
about the 11th century, to which some wood carvings from St. George
' Roumi' in Old Cairo are assigned. The general conclusions arrived
at are that Egypt and Syria show artistically a parallel development
under late-classical influences till, by Justinian's time, Egypt has become
thoroughly Byzantine, the next change being that wrought—especially
in decorative ornament,—by the Arab conquest; and further, that at
least as regards figure-sculpture, no ' Coptic' or national clement is
discernible. Prof. S. draws far-reaching conclusions from the pro-
venance of some of his documents. One of the ivories, known to be
Egyptian, has the strongest resemblance to certain works of accepted
Italian origin; it is shown to be more probable that the latter were
oriental importations than that such resemblance should bo mere
coincidence (as against Stuhlfauth). I would suggest that the female
figure upon the Achmim comb (= Forrer, taf. xii.) may be intended
for Thecla between the lions ; she is similarly represented in the
Metaphrastes MS., Add. 11,870.
M. Gayet's second season at Antinoe has resulted in the recovery
and exhibition of a very remarkable series of burials belonging to the
heathen (native and Roman), Byzantine, and Coptic periods, those of the
Jast two epochs—1600 graves—being the most numerous and remark-
PsOGEESS of Egyptology.
refer especially to the liturgy of the White Monaster}'. The ' Inter-
pretation de la Resurrection' (no. 91) is part of an Easter hymnal ;
the ' Revelation de l'autel' (no. 92) shows hymns to various saints with
a curious, stereotyped formula for martyrs, the name being left blank
(p. 485). Finally, it may be mentioned that in nos. 43, 3 and in 60, 13
are the quire, not the page numbers, that in nos. 53 and 88 the rectos
are printed after the versos, that nos. 58 and 79 are from the same MS.,
and that no. 44 belongs to the unique Sinuthian liturgy, Paris MS. 68.
A most welcome feature of the catalogue is the careful registration of all
biblical quotations.
Students of Byzantine art have long realized that one of the most
problematical aspects of its history is that which it displays in Egypt.
Prof. Strzygowski has made a study of some eight monuments24 all of
supposed Egyptian provenance, with a view to helping the solution of
the questions of local or national—Greek, Egyptian, Syrian, Arab,—
influences involved. The documents are discussed in their chronological
sequence, beginning with a large statue in Gizeh of obviously late
classical and probably Christian style. Those afterwards examined range
from sculptured stone slabs and carved door panels to ivory combs with
groups and figures in relief. The latest epoch represented is held to bo
about the 11th century, to which some wood carvings from St. George
' Roumi' in Old Cairo are assigned. The general conclusions arrived
at are that Egypt and Syria show artistically a parallel development
under late-classical influences till, by Justinian's time, Egypt has become
thoroughly Byzantine, the next change being that wrought—especially
in decorative ornament,—by the Arab conquest; and further, that at
least as regards figure-sculpture, no ' Coptic' or national clement is
discernible. Prof. S. draws far-reaching conclusions from the pro-
venance of some of his documents. One of the ivories, known to be
Egyptian, has the strongest resemblance to certain works of accepted
Italian origin; it is shown to be more probable that the latter were
oriental importations than that such resemblance should bo mere
coincidence (as against Stuhlfauth). I would suggest that the female
figure upon the Achmim comb (= Forrer, taf. xii.) may be intended
for Thecla between the lions ; she is similarly represented in the
Metaphrastes MS., Add. 11,870.
M. Gayet's second season at Antinoe has resulted in the recovery
and exhibition of a very remarkable series of burials belonging to the
heathen (native and Roman), Byzantine, and Coptic periods, those of the
Jast two epochs—1600 graves—being the most numerous and remark-