To link to this database use: https://libraries.indiana.edu/databases/ductus
Username and password required for access. Visit the Scholars' Commons Reference Desk at Wells Library for login information. Digital program teaching the basics of Latin paleography and codicology (the history of bookmaking).
Additional Information:
Based on the analysis and transcription of a selection of Western manuscripts that represents a number of major book hands and national scripts; these have been selected largely from European libraries, but several are from Australian and American collections. The course covers the period from the second to the fifteenth centuries of our era.
The six major phases of development were:
- the Roman system of scripts, comprising Square Capitals, Rustic Capitals, Old Roman Cursive, Literary Cursive, Uncial, Semi-uncial, Cursive Semi-uncial and New Roman Cursive [the cursive scripts are not dealt with in this program];
- Pre-Caroline (7-8c.), comprising the so-called 'national' scripts--Visigothic, Luxeuil, Corbie and Insular Minuscules;
- Caroline, which became widely used across Europe, reaching even into Southern Italy; it developed c.800 at the Abbey of St Martin's at Tours;
- Protogothic (11-12c.), developing in England and France; it incorporated elements of Anglo-Saxon Minuscule into Caroline;
- Gothic (12-16c.), consisting of many styles linked to particular nations or regions, including Textura, Cursive Anglicana, Litera Bononiensis, Litera Rotunda, Litera Hybrida;
- Humanist (from 1400 onwards); associated with the work of Poggio Bracciolini and Niccol Ograve; Niccoli); modern European handwriting developed from Humanist script.
Coverage: Varies - Updates vary
Vendor: Evellum
Producer: Evellum
Interlibrary Loan Type: Not Permitted
Simultaneous User Limit: Unlimited simultaneous users