I've recently been watching Kenneth Clark's landmark TV series from the 60s - Civilisation - he mentions the Carolingian Renaissance and the efforts of Alcuin of York and others in copying classical texts. I also know that a lot of our knowledge of the classics came via the Byzantines and the Muslims in the centuries following Charlemagne.
I also know about the Codex Sinaiticus, the Codex Vaticanus and fragments such as the Rylands Papyrus from the 4th and 1st centuries respectively.
But Kenneth Clark specifically refers to only 3 or 4 original manuscripts having survived from Latin authors of antiquity until the present day - what were they and where can I see them?
If anyone can enlighten me I'd be very happy...
I also know about the Codex Sinaiticus, the Codex Vaticanus and fragments such as the Rylands Papyrus from the 4th and 1st centuries respectively.
But Kenneth Clark specifically refers to only 3 or 4 original manuscripts having survived from Latin authors of antiquity until the present day - what were they and where can I see them?
If anyone can enlighten me I'd be very happy...