A Visigothic Computus of AD 722 (Leiden, Universiteitsbibliotheek, VMI 11, 26r?27r)

Abstract

Leiden, Universiteitsbibliotheek, VMI 11 contains a short text (26r–27r) overlooked by scholars of early medieval computus. This short note demonstrates its Visigothic origin and AD 722 as the year of composition. The text should be classified as a computistical formulary similar to Dionysius Exiguus’ Argumenta, but decidedly different in content and structure. It therefore bears witness to the independence of Iberian computistics from Rome, and more direct Alexandrian/Byzantine influence. This computus was written as a guide to the problem of updating the 95-year Alexandrian Easter tables from AD 627–721 to the subsequent period AD 722–816. There is no overlap with the contemporary Irish, Frankish, or Northumbrian (Bedan) tradition. This text is our prime witness for pre-Carolingian Visigothic computus, and will be the cornerstone for any subsequent study of the Visigothic approach to early medieval time-reckoning. The note is concluded by a transcription and liberal translation.