An Armenian physician at the early tenth-century court of Louis III of Provence? The case of the Autun Glossary
A. E. Redgate
At the end of a Carolingian manuscript given to cathedral church Autun, in France, sometime between 977 and 1024, is an Armenian-Latin glossary ninety words, including those for thirty-six body parts. The script tenth-century text probably copied from prior version. This has provoked interest among Armenianists primarily as testimony pronunciation Armenian. dialect text's informant been identified, but other respects he remains anonymous, though it suggested that was travelling physician. thus raises questions about date, circumstances purposes its composition. article suggests likely context Armenian informant's presence region Autun suite Byzantine princess Anna who c. 900 married Louis III Provence, whose capital, Vienne, within easy reach Autun. Anna's most included Armenians, since there were Armenians Constantinople, she herself may have descent. putative early vicinity occurred not long before consecration, 930, at Ta[tacute]ew eastern Armenia, paintings that, according thirteenth-century source, work Frankish artists commissioned by Ta[tacute]ew's bishop, iconography repertory betray links post-Carolingian art. We know no more this commission would be entirely speculative suggest link with phenomenon Glossary. But their temporal propinquity emphasises tenth century time Middle Eastern-Western cultural exchanges, hints some these still hidden us.1 1 based upon paper delivered conference, “Middle Eastern Islamic Influence on Western Art Liturgy: Cultural exchanges late Antiquity Ages”, held Centre Medieval Studies, University Toronto, March 2004. I thank participated discussion followed comments. also following: Professor R. I. Moore his advice assistance my preparation text; Ms Judy Preece Print Services, Robinson Library, Newcastle Tyne, rendering sketch maps into good quality reproduction; Mme Marie-Françoise Poilane Bibliothèque Municipale permission publish photographs (provided 2006) two pages contain
Al-Masaq: Journal of the Medieval Mediterranean