The Physiologus is not a bestiary, but it is the origin of the bestiary tradition. In a manner similar to the way bestiary manuscripts are grouped into families, the Physiologus manuscripts are grouped into versions. Unlike the bestiaries, which were only translated into a small number of European languages, the Physiologus was translated into many European, Asian and North African languages. Manuscripts of the various versions and languages are listed here. This list is not complete; there are more manuscripts that have not yet been located, and manuscripts from the 17th century or later are only included if they are of particular significance.
Latin Versions
There are six versions of the Latin Physiologus into which most of the manuscripts have been grouped. There are also some manuscripts that have not been classified.
Latin Version A
The Latin version A is found in one manuscript. It has 36 chapters.
Latin Version B
Version B is derived from Version Y, with the oldest manuscript dating from the eighth or ninth century. It has 36 or 37 chapters.
Archivio dell'Abbazia, Montecassino, MS 323
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, lat. 2825
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, lat. 2843E
Bodleian Library, MS. Auct. T. 2. 23
Burgerbibliothek Bern, Cod. 233
Latin Version C [X]
Latin version C is called version X by some authors.
Latin Version Y
The Latin Physiologus Y Version has 48 or 49 chapters. The earliest manuscript is from the ninth century. Carmody lists three manuscripts containing Version Y (1, 2, 3); Kuhry lists three more (4, 5, 6):
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 14388 [Y2]
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 19417 [Y1]
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, NAL 455 [Y5]
Burgerbibliothek Bern, Cod. 611 [Y3]
Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel, Cod. Guelf. 131 Gud. lat. [Y4]
Dicta Chrysostomi (DC) Version
This version of the text is based on the Physiologus B version, but differs in some details and in the chapter order. It was called the Dicta Chysostomi because of its medieval attribution to John Chrysostom, a fifth century Patriarch of Constantinople. The text usually begins: Incipiunt dicta Johannis Crisostomi de naturis bestiarium. It is thought that the Dicta Chrsostomi text originated in France around 1000 CE. The manuscripts date from the twelfth to the fifteenth centuries, with most produced in Germany. (Note: James placed British Library, Sloane MS 278 in the Bestiary First Family.)
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 536
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 2655
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 3206
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 3221
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 5613
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 5921
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 6908
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 9600
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 14216
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 14348
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 14693
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 16189
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 19648
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 23787
Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, San Marco 650
Biblioteka Uniwersytecka we Wroclawiu, I F 526
Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, San Marco 668
Bibliothèque de l'Arsenal, lat. 394
Bibliothèque Multimédia Intercommunale d'Epinal, MS 209
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, lat. 10448
British Library Sloane, MS 278
Couvent des Cordeliers/Franziskanerkloster, Ms. 82
Herzog August Bibliothek Wolfenbüttel, Cod. Guelf. 35a Helmst.
Koninklijke Bibliotheek van België, Bibl. Roy. 18421-29
National Library of Russia, Lat. Q.v.III. 1
Oberösterreichische Landesbibliothek, Hs.-33
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. 303
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. 1010
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. 2511
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. 4609
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. 13378
Oberösterreichische Landesbibliothek, Hs.-33
Stadtbibliothek Bad Windsheim, Cod. 28
Staatsbibliothek Bamberg, Msc.Class.87
Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, Ms. lat. qu. 396
Stift Lilienfeld Archiv, Codex Campililiensis 33
Stiftsbibliothek Göttweig, Codex Gottwicensis 154
Stiftsbibliothek Göttweig, Codex Gottwicensis 200
Stiftsbibliothek Göttweig, Codex Gottwicensis 263
Stiftsbibliothek Göttweig, Codex Gottwicensis 426
Stiftsbibliothek Heiligenkreuz, Codex Sancrucensis 256
Stiftsbibliothek Wilhering, Codex Wilheringensis IX, 132
Stiftsbibliothek Wilhering, Codex Wilheringensis IX, 138
Stiftsbibliothek Zwettl, Codex Zwettlensis 297
Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Bonn, S 731
Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Tirol, Codex 312
Universitätsbibliothek Leipzig, Ms 351
Universitätsbibliothek Leipzig, Ms 1305
Theobaldus Version
The metrical (verse) moralized Latin Physiologus version attributed to Theobaldus Episcopus has 12 chapters. The identity of Theobaldus is uncertain; he may have been an eleventh century abbot of Monte Cassino. The manuscripts date from the early eleventh century to the fifteenth century. The oldest of these is the eleventh century British Library, Harley MS 3093.
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Cgm 3974
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 14496
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 14544
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 14586
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 14640
Biblioteca Casanatense, Ms.1279
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 14634
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 16073
Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, MS 385
Biblioteca comunale Forteguerriana, A.33
Biblioteca comunale Teresiana, MS 398
Biblioteca Riccardiana, Ricc.381
Biblioteca Vallicelliana, ms. F 49/1-2
Biblioteka Uniwersytecka we Wroclawiu, Mil. VIII 3
Bibliothèque d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer, Ms. 115
Bibliothèque d'Agglomération du Pays de Saint-Omer, Ms. 344
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, lat. 5129
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, lat. 8321
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, lat. 8772
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, NAL 619
Bodleian Library, MS. Lawn medieval 8
Bischöfliche Bibliothek zu Klagenfurt, Codex XXIX e 7
British Library, Additional MS 10019
British Library, Additional MS 10415
British Library, Additional MS 30935
British Library, Additional MS 38787
British Library, Arundel MS 243
British Library, Harley MS 3093
Kongelige Bibliotek, Fabr. 43 4°
Kongelige Bibliotek, Fabr. 85 8°
Kongelige Bibliotek, GKS 1634 4°
Kongelige Bibliotek, NKS 2989 4°
Koninklijke Bibliotheek van België, Ms. 2434-52
Národní knihovna Ceské republiky, I.F.30
Národní knihovna Ceské republiky, III.G.12
Národní knihovna Ceské republiky, III.G.21
Národní knihovna Ceské republiky, VII.E.16
Národní knihovna Ceské republiky, VIII.H.7
Národní knihovna Ceské republiky, XI.C.4
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. 320
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. 3123
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. 3219
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. 13685
Trinity College Library (Dublin), IE TCD MS 2100
Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, Ms. lat. qu. 256
Staatsbibliothek zu Berlin, Ms. lat. qu. 358
Stiftsbibliothek Michaelbeuern, Man. cart. 33
Stiftsbibliothek Zwettl, Codex Zwettlensis 160
Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Darmstadt, Hs 2780 [also has Novus Phisiologus version]
Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Düsseldorf, Ms. B 141
Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Sachsen-Anhalt, Qu. Cod. 208
Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Tirol, Codex 792
Universitätsbibliothek Basel, AN II 42
Universitätsbibliothek Basel, F VII 8
Universitätsbibliothek Basel, B V 32
Universitätsbibliothek Graz, Ms 673
Universitätsbibliothek Graz, Ms 854
Universitätsbibliothek Greifswald, 37.E.47
Universiteitsbibliotheek Leiden, GRO 87
Universiteitsbibliotheek Leiden, VLO 72
Württembergische Landesbibliothek, Cod. poet. et phil. 4° 42
Württembergische Landesbibliothek, HB VI 128
Abbreviatio physologi / Dictamen de naturis animalium
The Abbreviatio physologi is an abbrevitaed form of the Theobaldus text. The Dictamen de naturis animalium is an abbreviated form of the Dicta Chrysostomi text. They appear together or separately in four 15th century manuscripts.
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 19037 [Abbreviatio/Dictamen]]
Stiftsbibliothek Benediktinerstift Lambach, Ccl 327 [Abbreviatio]
Stiftsbibliothek Benediktinerstift Lambach, Ccl 338 [Abbreviatio]
Stiftsbibliothek Melk, Cod. 662 [Abbreviatio/Dictamen]
Novus Phyiologus
The Novus Physiologus is a Latin verse version of the text. It is found in only one manuscript.
Universitäts- und Landesbibliothek Darmstadt, Hs 2780 [also has Theobaldus version]
Unclassified/Uncertain/Problematic Latin Manuscripts
These manuscripts contain the Latin Physiologus or extracts from it, but have not (yet) been classified into any of the above versions, or the classification is dubious.
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Clm 17195
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Pal. lat. 1064
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat.lat.290
Biblioteca Civica Angelo Mai e Archivi storici, MA 97
Biblioteca Riccardiana, Ricc.630
Biblioteka Uniwersytecka we Wroclawiu, I O 138
Biblioteka Uniwersytecka we Wroclawiu, IV F 13
Bibliothek der Erzabtei St. Peter, Codex S. Petri Salisburgensis b III 22
Bibliothek Benediktinerstift St. Paul, Codex S. Pauli in Carinthia 371/4
Bibliothek der Erzabtei St. Peter, Codex S. Petri Salisburgensis b V 36
Bibliothèque Municipale de Tours, MS 312
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, lat. 1207
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, lat. 7537A
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, NAL 258
Bibliothèque patrimoniale d'Avranches, Ms. 28
Bibliothèque Patrimoniale Villon (BM Rouen), 638
Bibliothèque patrimoniale Villon (BM Rouen), 1468
Bodleian Library, MS. Laud Misc. 129
British Library, Additional MS 24097
British Library, Cotton MS Vitellius D I
British Library, Royal MS 6 A XI
Corpus Christi College Parker Library, MS 448
Národní knihovna Ceské republiky, IV.D.19
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Frag. 1356
Staats- und Universitätsbibliothek Hamburg, Cod. 47 in scrinio
Stift Lilienfeld Archiv, Codex Campililiensis 36
Stiftsbibliothek Admont, Codex Admontensis 649
Stiftsbibliothek Beromünster, C 8
Stiftsbibliothek Kremsmünster, Codex Cremifanensis 18
Stiftsbibliothek Schlägl, Codex Plagensis 221
Stiftsbibliothek Zwettl, Codex Zwettlensis 192
Universitätsbibliothek Basel, B X 29
Universitätsbibliothek Graz, Ms 1538
Universitätsbibliothek Heidelberg, Cod. Sal. VII,104
Non-Latin Versions
The Physiologus was available throughout the middle ages in several European, Asian and North African languages.
Arabic
The Arabic text is found in a few medieval manuscripts. There are also 17th century and later copies, not included here.
Armenian
The Armenian translation is thought to derive from the original Greek text of the Physiologus. There are at least eight manuscripts containing the Armenian Physiologus. This list from Marr, 1904 with "Etchmiadzin Monastery" replaced with "Matenadaran". Some of these may be later copies (17th to 19th century). This list is out of date and should not be considered reliable.
Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) No. 23
Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) No. 453
Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) No. 1684
Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) No. 1711
Mesrop Mashtots Institute of Ancient Manuscripts (Matenadaran) No. 2093
Sevan Monastery (Sevanavank) No. 78
Mekhitarists Monastery, Vienna No. 29
English
The English Physiologus is in Middle and Old English.
Middle English
This text was composed in East Midlands, during the first half of the thirteenth century, and is based on the metrical Latin Physiologus of Theobaldus. It is found in only one manuscript.
Old English
The Old English text is found in one manuscript, known as the Exeter Book, of the 10th century. It includes only three animals.
Ethiopian
The Ethiopian text is found in at least four manuscripts of the 16th to 18th century. It is written in the Ethiopian alphabet.
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Ethiopian d'abbadie 247
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Éthiopien 146
French
The French Physiologus is in various dialects.
Waldensian
Georgian
The Georgian Physiologus has 34 chapters.
German (Middle Bavarian)
The Middle Bavarian German Physiologus is found in one manuscript.
German (Middle High)
The Middle High German Physiologus is found in two manuscripts.
German (Old High)
The Old High German text includes 12 animals, and was probably based on the Theobaldus Latin version.
Greek
The Greek version of the text is not the original Greek text, which has been lost. The medieval Greek text was often attributed to Epiphanius, the fourth century Bishop of Constantia in Cyprus, though there is no real evidence of his involvement. There are also several manuscripts dating from the seventeenth century and later; most of those are not included here.
Biblioteca Ambrosiana, A 45 sup.
Bayerische Staatsbibliothek, Cod. graec. 551
Biblioteca Ambrosiana, B 39 sup.
Biblioteca Ambrosiana, C 255 inf
Biblioteca Ambrosiana, E 16 sup.
Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Suppl. 143 sup.
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Barb. gr. 438
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Chig. R.IV.11
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Ott. gr. 354
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Pal.gr.367
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 695
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. gr. 1871
Biblioteca Casanatense, MS 1700
Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, gr. IV. 35
Biblioteca Nazionale Marciana, gr. XI. 24
Biblioteca Vallicelliana, ms. F 68
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Coislin 344
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Grec 390
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Grec 929
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Grec 947
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Grec 1612
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Grec 2027
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Grec 2426
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Grec 2509
Bibliothèque Nationale de France, Supplément grec 681
Bodleian Library, MS. Auct. F. 4. 14
Bodleian Library, MS. Barocci 50
Bodleian Library, MS. Barocci 95
Bodleian Library, MS. Holkham Gr. 43
Center for Slavo-Byzantine Studies "Ivan Dujcev”, D. gr. 297 (destroyed)
Ethnikí Vivliothíki tis Elládos (National Library of Greece), EBE 2187
Evangelical School of Smyrna, B. 8 (destroyed)
Gosudarstvennyj Istoriceskij Musej, Sinod. gr. 298
Gosudarstvennyj Istoriceskij Musej, Sinod. gr. 467
Monê Dionusiou (Holy Monastery of Dionysiou), MS 232
Monê Ibêrôn (Holy Iviron Monastery)), 190
Monê Ibêrôn (Holy Iviron Monastery), 377
Monê tês Hagias Aikaterinês (St Catherine Monastery), gr. 485
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. Med. gr. 29
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. Med. gr. 30
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. Phil. gr. 290
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. Suppl. gr. 198
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. Theol. gr. 128
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. Theol. gr. 315
Icelandic
The Icelandic text is found in one manuscript of the 13th century. It includes 24 animals.
Italian (Tuscan)
The Italian text is in the Tuscan dialect.
Slavic
The Slavic group of Physiologus manuscripts are written in Bulgarian [BUL], Russian [RUS], Serbian [SRP] and other Slavic languages. The texts are written in various Cyrillic scripts. The manuscripts are mostly later copies, from the 16th to 18th century. The text in [] brackets after the manuscript is the designation by Stoykova, followed by the language code.
Bulgarian National Library (Saints Cyril and Methodius), NBKM 309 [Бел, BUL]
Bulgarian National Library (Saints Cyril and Methodius), NBKM 433 [П, BUL]
Bulgarian National Library (Saints Cyril and Methodius), NBKM 677 [Т, BUL]
Church-Historical and Archival Institute, 1161 [Ц, SRP]
Croatian Academy of Sciences and Arts (HAZU), III a 20 [З, SRP]
Kongelige Bibliotek, NKS 0553 c 4° [З, RUS]
Library of Hilandar Monastery, Hilandar 382] [Хил, SRP]
Moní Agíou Panteleímonos (St. Panteleimon Monastery), 22 [А, SRP]
Museum of the Serbian Orthodox Church, 100 [Г]
National Library of Serbia, Rs 38 [Б, BUL/SRP]
National Museum of the Czech Republic, IX H 16 [Š, BUL/SRP]
Nikoljac Monastery, 52 [Н, BUL/SRP]
Osterreichische Nationalbibliothek, Cod. Slav. 149 [W, BUL]
Romanian Academy Library, 25 [К]
Romanian Academy Library, 310 [Р, SRP]
Russian State Archive of Early Acts, Mazurin 1700 [М, BUL]
State Historical Museum (Moscow), Chludov 237 [Хл, BUL]
State Historical Museum (Moscow), Tsarskii 371 [Цар, RUS]
Universitätsbibliothek Wien, I-26054 [В, BUL]
Syriac
The Syriac text has three versions, with 32, 81 and 125 chapters.
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. sir. 217
Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Vat. sir. 555 [32 chapters]
Universiteitsbibliotheek Leiden, Or. 66 [81 chapters]
Das Buch der Naturgegenstände [125 chapters, 19th century, no information]
