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'''Minuscule 544''' (in the [[Biblical manuscript#Gregory-Aland|Gregory-Aland]] numbering), 557 (in the Scrivener's numbering), ε 337 (in [[Biblical manuscript#Von Soden|Soden's]] numbering),<sup>[1]</sup> is a [[Greek language|Greek]] [[Lower case|minuscule]] [[manuscript]] of the [[New Testament]], on parchment. The manuscript has complex contents. [[Palaeography|Palaeographically]] it has been assigned to the 13th century.<sup>[2]</sup> 
It was not adapted for liturgical use.

It came from [[Epeiros]] and is currently housed at the [[University of Michigan]]. It was digitised and is available online.

== Description ==

The codex contains the text of the four [[Gospel]]s, on 256 parchment leaves (size {{×|13|9}}). The text is written in one column per page, 22 lines per page.<sup>[2]</sup>  It is neatly written in minute hand. The style of writing resembles codex [[Minuscule 542|542]] (Scrivener's 555).<sup>[3]</sup> 

The text is divided according to the κεφαλαια (''chapters''), whose numerals are given at the margin in red, τιτλοι (''titles of chapters'') at the top and bottom of the several pages. There is also a division according to the smaller [[Ammonian Sections]] (in Mark 235 Sections, the last section in 16:12) in red, (no references to the [[Eusebian Canons]]).<sup>[4]</sup> <sup>[5]</sup>  The κεφαλαια and the Ammonian Sections are often put in wrong places. There are no lectionary markings at the margin for liturgical use.<sup>[3]</sup> 

It contains lists of the κεφαλαια (''tables of contents'') to the last three Gospels, and pictures of the Evangelists: Matthew, Mark, and John.<sup>[5]</sup> <sup>[4]</sup> 
The decorated head-pieces stand at the beginning of each Gospel.<sup>[3]</sup>  It does not have lectionary markings at the margin (for liturgical use).<sup>[5]</sup>  The [[nomina sacra]] are contracted in usual way.

; Errors

Errors of [[iotacism]] (especially ει or [[Iota|ι]] for [[Eta|η]], ο for ω, and vice versa) are rare in the first two Gospels, but more frequent afterwards.<sup>[3]</sup> 

The omissions by "[[homoioteleuton]]" (the same endings) are frequent (e.g. Matthew 10:37; Mark 9:43-46; 10:27.42; 12:39; 14:19; 15:14; Luke 10:27; John 3:31; 4:5; 5:32; 6:11.32.42; 8:14; 9:7; 12:34; 13:34; 14:17; 17:21).<sup>[3]</sup> 

[[N εφελκυστικον]] is very common, and though the punctuation is accurate, the sign of interrogation never occurs.<sup>[3]</sup> 

This copy was transcribed from an older copy which was defective in Luke.<sup>[3]</sup>  It has an unusual number of variations from the ordinary text, though none of the first rate of importance.<sup>[6]</sup> 

== Text ==

[[Hermann von Soden]] classified the Greek text of the codex to the group I<sup>a</sup>.<sup>[7]</sup> [[Kurt Aland|Aland]] did not place it in any [[Categories of New Testament manuscripts|Category]].<sup>[8]</sup> 
According to the [[Claremont Profile Method]] it has an eclectic text. In [[Luke 1]] it represents [[Family Π|Π<sup>a</sup>]], in [[Luke 10]] mixed [[Byzantine text-type|Byzantine]] text, and in [[Luke 20]] - [[Family Kx|K<sup>x</sup>]].<sup>[7]</sup> 

; Textual variants

: [[Matthew 2:19]] — εν Αιγυπτω ] omitted
: [[Matthew 12:40]] — καρδια ] κοιλια
: [[Matthew 16:21]] — απο ] παρα
: [[Matthew 17:22]] — ανθρωπων ] ανθρωπων αμαρτωλων
: [[Matthew 18:25]] — ακρασιας ] αδικιας
: [[Matthew 18:28]] — ανομιας ] αδικιας
: [[Mark 1:2]] — εν τω ησαια τω προφητη ] εν βιβλω λογων ησαιου του προφητου
: [[Mark 8:14]] — οπου ου δει ] εν τοπω αγνω
: [[Mark 14:3]] — πιστικης ] μυστικης
: [[Mark 15:8]] — καθως αει εποιει αυτοις ] τον βαραββαν (similar to [[Codex Koridethi|Θ]] [[Minuscule 565|565]], and [[Minuscule 700|700]])
: [[Luke 1:48]] — της δουλης ] του δουλου
: [[Luke 1:48]] — κατα το ρημα σου ] omitted
: [[Luke 3:25]] — του Μααθ του Ματταθιου ] omitted
: [[John 16:13]] — το <span style="text-decoration: overline">πνα</span> της αληθειας ] omitted
: [[John 19:38]] — του <span style="text-decoration: overline">ιυ</span> ] του <span style="text-decoration: overline">κυ</span>

== History ==
; Location
[[Image:Angela Georgina Burdett-Coutts.jpg|thumb|140px|The Lady Burdett-Coutts]]
Of the history of the codex 544 nothing is known until the year 1864, when it was in the possession of a dealer at [[Ioannina|Janina]] in Epeiros. It was then purchased from him by a representative of [[Angela Burdett-Coutts, 1st Baroness Burdett-Coutts|Baroness Burdett-Coutts]] (1814–1906), a philanthropist,<sup>[9]</sup>  along with other Greek manuscripts (among them codices [[Minuscule 532|532]]-[[Minuscule 546|546]]).<sup>[4]</sup>  They were transported to England in 1870-1871.<sup>[10]</sup> 

The manuscript was presented by Burdett-Coutts to Sir Roger Cholmely's School, and was housed at the Highgate (Burdett-Coutts III. 9), in London.<sup>[11]</sup>  In 1922 it was acquired for the University of Michigan.<sup>[12]</sup>  It is currently housed at the [[University of Michigan]] (Ms. 25) in [[Ann Arbor, Michigan|Ann Arbor]].<sup>[2]</sup> 

; Examination
It was added to the list of the New Testament manuscripts by [[F. H. A. Scrivener]] (557) and [[C. R. Gregory]] (544).<sup>[5]</sup>  Gregory saw it in 1883.<sup>[4]</sup> 

Scrivener examined, described and collated its text. His collation was edited posthumous in ''[[Adversaria critica sacra]]'' in 1893.<sup>[13]</sup>  It is rarely cited in the critical editions of the Greek New Testament.<sup>[14]</sup> 

== Gallery ==

<gallery>
[[Image:Minuscule_544_GA_0077a.jpg|thumb|The first page of Mark with decorated headpiece]]
[[Image:Minuscule 544 GA f54v.jpg|thumb|Folio 54 verso with text of Matthew 22:32-44]]
[[Image:Minuscule_544_GA_0098b.jpg|thumb|Folio 98 verso with text of Mark 8:31-38]]
[[Image:Minuscule 544 0102a GA.JPG|thumb|Folio 102 recto with text of Mark 9:42-10:4; verses 44 and 46 are omitted]]

== See also ==
* [[List of New Testament minuscules]]
* [[Biblical manuscript]]
* [[Textual criticism]]

== References ==

== Further reading ==

* Kenneth W. Clark, ''A Descriptive Catalogue of Greek New Testament Manuscripts in America'' (Chicago, 1937), pp.&nbsp;297–298.
* E. Colwell, ''The Four Gospels of Karahissar'' (Chicago 1936), vol. I, pp.&nbsp;9. 204 ff.

== External links ==
* [http://www.csntm.org/Manuscript/View/GA_544 Images of the minuscule 544] at the [[Center for the Study of New Testament Manuscripts|CSNTM]]

{{Manuscripts purchased by Angela Burdett-Coutts}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Minuscule 0544}}
[[Category:Greek New Testament minuscules]]
[[Category:13th-century biblical manuscripts]]