Manuscript
Codex Argenteus (the Silver Bible)
Also known as the Silver Bible · Uppsala University Library DG 1
The Gospels in Gothic, written in silver and gold on purple parchment — nearly all that survives of an entire language's Bible.
translationsgothicgospelsearly-church
Overview
Codex Argenteus (the Silver Bible)(c. AD 500–550)— Made in Ostrogothic Italy; at Werden Abbey by the sixteenth century; to Uppsala in 1669
It was made in Ostrogothic Italy, probably at Ravenna, for the court of Theodoric, around AD 500. One hundred and eighty-eight leaves survive of an original three hundred and thirty-six.
The translation is Wulfila's. In the fourth century he made a Bible for the Goths and, according to the ancient accounts, invented an alphabet to write it in — and left out the books of Kings, on the grounds that his people were warlike enough already.
The manuscript was taken as war booty during the Thirty Years' War and given to Uppsala in 1669.
Manuscript Details
- Date
- c. AD 500–550
- Language
- Gothic
- Script
- Gothic alphabet, in silver and gold ink
- Material
- Purple-dyed parchment
- Current location
- Uppsala University Library, Sweden (DG 1)
- Discovery location
- Made in Ostrogothic Italy; at Werden Abbey by the sixteenth century; to Uppsala in 1669
- Contains books
- Matthew · John · Luke · Mark
- Tags
- translations · gothic · gospels · early-church
Significance
Almost everything known about the Gothic language comes from this Bible, and the Gothic Bible is the oldest substantial text in any Germanic language. It is also a reminder of how far and how early the Scriptures travelled — into a language with no written literature at all before somebody translated the Gospels into it.
The passages the manuscripts argue over
The places where the manuscripts differ — the ending of Mark, the woman caught in adultery, the three heavenly witnesses — with the case each way.