Uncovering the Ligature ος: Insights from the Letter to Theodore

The journey to authenticate or debunk the Letter to Theodore, discovered by Morton Smith, has led scholars down various paths, with one of the critical elements being the analysis of specific ligatures used within the manuscript. The ligature "ος" in particular has attracted significant attention due to its unique formation and the implications it carries for the document's authenticity.

Morton Smith's Transcription and Analysis

Upon discovering the manuscript, Morton Smith promptly submitted his translation and transcription to the Library of Congress for copyright. However, by the time he published his 1973 book, Clement of Alexandria and a Secret Gospel of Mark, Smith had revised some of his initial readings. This revision process is noteworthy; if Smith had forged the document, one would expect him to be confident and consistent in his transcription. Instead, discrepancies between his 1958 and 1973 interpretations suggest a genuine scholarly endeavor rather than deceptive manipulation.

For instance, in line 35, where Agamemnon Tselikas and Smith in 1973 correctly read βλασφημὸν, Smith's 1958 transcription read βλάσφημον. Similarly, Smith misread δόξα as δόξαν and ἀπ᾽ἐκύλισε as ἀπεκύλισε. These variations highlight Smith's evolving understanding of the text, indicating a process of discovery rather than creation.

The Abbreviation of κυρίου

Both Smith and Tselikas noted the abbreviation of κυρίου as κου, a deviation from the more common κυ. This peculiarity raised suspicions for Tselikas, who considered it a potential mark of forgery. However, Smith's awareness and documentation of this variant suggest otherwise. In Appendix A of Clement of Alexandria, Smith acknowledges the abbreviation four times in the manuscript, yet in one instance (line 24), he incorrectly identified it as κυ instead of κου. This mistake undermines the argument that Smith, as the forger, would have knowingly introduced such anomalies.

The Unusual Ligatures

Tselikas's analysis extended to the unique ligatures found within the manuscript, including the ligature for ος. Describing the ligature in ἐκλεγόμενος (line 17), Tselikas noted it resembled an open theta with a squiggly line, representing sigma. This formation is rare but not unprecedented. Similar examples from 18th-century manuscripts from Mount Athos and the Jerusalem Patriarchate demonstrate that such ligatures were within the realm of scribal practice.

The standard ligature for ος typically combines the omicron and sigma into a single character with a loop or tail. The presence of this ligature in printed typesets of the period further supports its authenticity. The "wavy line" representing sigma in these ligatures was a recognized variation, not an invention by a potential forger.

Context and Consistency

In my investigation, I analyzed all instances of οι (31 occurrences) and ος (30 occurrences) from Quesnell's specialized photographs of the Letter to Theodore. Comparing these, along with the consistent habits of the scribe, I focused on words ending in -νος and -νοι. The consistency in the formation of these endings provided a basis for determining the reading of γυμνοὶ γυμνῷ versus γυμνὸς γυμνῷ.

The iota in "γυμνοὶ" aligns with other instances of νοί, where the iota is freestanding and slightly curved due to the pen's motion from the preceding letters. Conversely, the ligature for ος in the manuscript showed a consistent formation across different words, strengthening the case for γυμνοὶ as the correct reading.

Conclusion

The analysis of ligatures and abbreviations within the Letter to Theodore offers valuable insights into the manuscript's authenticity. The variations in Smith's transcriptions, the use of unusual but documented abbreviations, and the consistent formation of ligatures suggest a genuine historical document rather than a modern forgery. By examining these paleographic elements, we move closer to understanding the true origins of the Letter to Theodore, reaffirming the importance of meticulous scholarly investigation in unraveling historical mysteries.