For centuries, we have studied the works of Cicero and Horace. We have drawn inspiration from the Book of Job and the world-famous Aratea, the astronomical treatise from around 816 which became one of the most important illuminated Carolingian manuscripts. Our knowledge of the world is built upon the writings of classical and medieval poets, philosophers, theologians, and jurists. But without the diligent monks and scribes of the Middle Ages, these texts would not have been preserved. The modern world would be unimaginable without this transmission of written knowledge.

Dive into the fascinating world of medieval scribes, illuminators, and collectors
• The stories behind works such as Cicero's Opera philosophica, and Lucretius' De rerum natura

• The highlights from a truly exceptional manuscript collection

Written Treasures introduces you to the fascinating world of medieval manuscripts. Fifty remarkable manuscripts have been selected from the treasure trove of Leiden University Library - stunning masterpieces as well as hastily recorded works on second-rate parchment.

Thirty-eight international experts explore their content, appearance, design, and journey through generations of readers and owners to the present day. With beautiful images and accessible texts, this book is essential for history and book enthusiasts alike. It is a celebration of cultural heritage and a tribute to the extraordinary transmission of written knowledge across the ages.

André Bouwman is a curator of medieval manuscripts at the Leiden University Libraries. Irene O'Daly is a university lecturer at the Leiden University Centre for the Arts in Society, specializing in book history, the history of science, and the reception of classical ideas and texts in the Middle Ages.