Visited the Papyrus Museum in Vienna, thanks to #icbs2026, and my goodness, what a collection they have. For instance, an original papyrus copy of the Council of Constantinople of 681 (17th session) (!)....

A receipt for 65 sheep, issued in Greek and Arabic by Emir Abdullah bin Jabir, just months after the Muslim conquest of Egypt.

"Thanks to you, the Romans will enslave Bulgaria!" Denunciation of the Khan Sabinos by the council (kombenton) in 763.

An initial 'O'(m[ni]p[oten]s) depicting Christ in Majesty, preceding the benediction for Trinity Sunday: 'Trinitas unus et verus D[eu]s Pater Filius et Sp[iritu]s S[an]c[tu]s' BL Add 49598; Benedictional of Æthelwold; 963-984 CE; England S; f.70r @blmedieval.bsky.social

St Ætheldreda (Æthelthryth), Northumbrian queen, and Abbess of Ely, holding a book and a flower, who died on 23rd June 679 CE 'Imago s[an]cte Atheldrythe abb[atisse] ac perpetue virigin[is]'. BL Add 49598; Benedictional of Æthelwold ; 963-984 CE; England, S; f.90v @blmedieval.bsky.social

The Russian press continues to discuss John Ratcliffe’s surprise trip to Moscow. One paper: “The visit of a CIA chief is not a sign of peace & not a sign of war. It’s a sign normal channels are no longer effective and that the heavy artillery is required.” #ReadingRussia

Russia’s anti-drone cages for buildings: what are they like?

YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg

youtu.be

Spotted in a Russian newspaper: “The logic of this war is becoming more and more harsh: either they will destroy Russia, or we will crush them.” A week of petrol queues, growing geo-political tension & no end in sight to Russia’s war in Ukraine. #ReadingRussia

Amid fuel crisis Russia now importing petrol from India

YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg

youtu.be

Two very different headlines today in Russia. The army paper: “Victory will be ours!” Nezavisimaya Gazeta: “Is there a way out of the petrol crisis if infrastructure isn’t protected?” #ReadingRussia

Russian paper: Fuel crisis won't end if Russia can't protect its refineries from drone attacks

YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg

youtu.be

In today’s Russian papers: a Putin decree, Russians “withdrew more cash than they deposited, praise for Marine Le Pen and a message for Andy Burnham: “He won’t see Moscow in his dreams. He should…in his nightmares.” #ReadingRussia

Russians "withdrew more cash than they deposited"

YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg

youtu.be

Why did the CIA director fly to Moscow? “There’s always a reason for a visit like this,” says the Russian government paper. But what is it? Different versions in today’s Russian papers. Plus, an editorial with a message…for Europe? #ReadingRussia

What are the Russian papers saying about the CIA director's trip to Moscow?

YouTube video by Steve Rosenberg

youtu.be

Joseph Ibn Hayyim marks the beginning of Torah Portion Ki Tavo (כִּי-תָבוֹא) with a dragon surrounded by fine penwork in blue and red. #ParashahPictures Bodleian Library, MS Kennicott 1; 'The Kennicott Bible'; 1476 CE; La Coruña, Spain; f.113r @bodleian.ox.ac.uk

A duck, a hound, and a hawk surround the initial-word of Torah Portion Ki Tavo (כִּי-תָבוֹא). #parashahpictures BL Add 11639; 'The Northern French Miscellany'; 1277-1324 CE; France, N; f.107r @blmedieval.bsky.social

A flower is on top of the marker which marks the beginning of Torah Portion Ki Tavo (כִּי-תָבוֹא). #ParashahPictures BnF Hébreu 29; Bible; 15th century; f.114r @gallicabnf.bsky.social

In Torah Portion Ki Tavo (כִּי-תָבוֹא) Moses lists for the people of Israel consequences of either following or not following God's commandments. #ParashahPictures BL Add MS 15423; Torah; 1441 CE-1467 CE; Italy, Central (Florence); f.135v @blmedieval.bsky.social

A penwork and foliate design marks the beginning of Torah Portion Ki Tavo (כִּי-תָבוֹא). #ParashahPictures BL Oriental 2626; the 'Lisbon Bible' with masorah magna & parva; 1483 CE; Portugal, Central (Lisbon); f.170v @blmedieval.bsky.social

Among other matters, Torah Portion Ki Tavo (כִּי-תָבוֹא) includes the laws of tithes given to the Levites & the poor. #ParashahPictures BL Or 2696; Torah, Five Scrolls & Hafṭarot with masorah & Rashi's commentary; 14th c; Germany, S; f.399r @blmedieval.bsky.social

The Second Coming: Christ bearing a staff, accompanied by a host of angels carrying the Book of Life and the instruments of the Passion BL Add 49598; Benedictional of Æthelwold; 963-984 CE; England, S; f.9v @blmedieval.bsky.social

Bishop Æthelwold (?) pronouncing an episcopal blessing on a congregation gathered together at the dedication of a new church building, probably Winchester Cathedral as remodelled by Æthelwold. BL Add 49598; Benedictional of Æthelwold; 963-984; England, S; f.118v @blmedieval.bsky.social

Who is that in the lower margin? Zofingen, Stadtbibliothek, Pa 32; Isidorus Hispalensis, Etymologiarum sive originum libri, De natura rerum; second third of the 9th century; St. Gall; f.65r (www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)

T-O map in the margin Zofingen, Stadtbibliothek, Pa 32; Isidorus Hispalensis, Etymologiarum sive originum libri, De natura rerum; second third of the 9th century; St. Gall; f.210v (www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)

Initial 'Q'(uemadmodum desiderat cervus ad fontes aquarum..), at the beginning of Psalm 41 St. Gallen, Kantonsbibliothek, Vadianische Sammlung, VadSlg Ms. 292; Composite manuscript including Psalter (second quarter of the 9th century); St. Gall(?) f.43r (e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)

Glorious initial 'Q'(uid) at the beginning of Psalm 51 St. Gallen, Kantonsbibliothek, Vadianische Sammlung, VadSlg Ms. 292; Composite manuscript including Psalter (second quarter of the 9th century); St. Gall(?) f.53r (www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)

The scribe Eberhard presents his book to Gallus, while Pope Gregory writes songs which the Holy Spirit whispers in his ear. St. Gallen, Kantonsbibliothek, Vadianische Sammlung, VadSlg Ms. 292; Composite ms incl. Hymnary; 12th century; St. Gall; f.175v (www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)

Initial 'b'(eatus) with interlace at the beginning of Psalm 1 St. Gallen, Kantonsbibliothek, Vadianische Sammlung, VadSlg Ms. 292; Composite manuscript including Psalter (second quarter of the 9th century); St. Gall(?) f.2r (www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)

This is the letter kids got at the end of Dolly’s Imagination Library. I defy you to read this and not cry.

Initial 'Q'(uemadmodum desiderat cervus ad fontes aquarum..), at the beginning of Psalm 41 St. Gallen, Kantonsbibliothek, Vadianische Sammlung, VadSlg Ms. 292; Composite manuscript including Psalter (second quarter of the 9th century); St. Gall(?) f.43r (e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)

Late antiquity was often seen as a time of crisis in urban politics. But this is a narrow view: cities were very full of activity, with groups and individuals vying for power and influence. A trip to Edessa lets us rethink this vibrant political culture. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

A Restless City: Edessa and Urban Actors in the Syriac Acts of the Second Council of Ephesus

The Syriac Acts of the Second Council of Ephesus offer an opportunity to look at the evolution of urban structures in the middle of the fifth century at the edge of the Roman Empire. Observing a ci...

tandfonline.com

Make late antiquity go absolutely *viral*, this is what Bluesky is for.

Mateusz Fafinski@calthalas.bsky.social · 4d ago

Late antiquity was often seen as a time of crisis in urban politics. But this is a narrow view: cities were very full of activity, with groups and individuals vying for power and influence. A trip to Edessa lets us rethink this vibrant political culture. www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10....

Glorious initial 'Q'(uid) at the beginning of Psalm 51 St. Gallen, Kantonsbibliothek, Vadianische Sammlung, VadSlg Ms. 292; Composite manuscript including Psalter (second quarter of the 9th century); St. Gall(?) f.53r (www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)

The scribe Eberhard presents his book to Gallus, while Pope Gregory writes songs which the Holy Spirit whispers in his ear. St. Gallen, Kantonsbibliothek, Vadianische Sammlung, VadSlg Ms. 292; Composite ms incl. Hymnary; 12th century; St. Gall; f.175v (www.e-codices.ch/en/list/one/...)