Graphic Ciphers and the Early Medieval Practices of <i>Collectio </i>and Concealment
Ildar H. Garipzanov
This paper explores the deployment of two types graphic ciphers, namely occult caracteres and monograms, in early medieval Latin books period from c. 750 to 1000. Even though both signs originated classical world, their Carolingian world profoundly changed terms media, social contexts, functional use. Hence decipherable monograms developed into a new form concealment. Although Christian church fathers bishops condemned employment undecipherable for apotropaic healing purposes, on rare occasions monks priests copied incantations recipes featuring caracteres. They did so partly because, Middle Ages, medical knowledge was appreciated its practical efficiency. The use such also points tendency scribes invest Greek other “foreign” letterforms with some intercessory or power. contends that these visual phenomena manuscripts bears witness elevated status masters as paramount experts transmission essential prosperity well-being people.
Publications of the journal of Medieval Latin