Codex Cumanicus

Codex Cumanicus (Kodeks Kumanikus) One of the most important sources from the Middle Turkish period, it means “Book of the Cumans” or “Cuman Manuscripts.” The work contains dictionary sections, grammatical rules, religious texts, and examples from folk literature. It serves as a fundamental reference for the history of the Turkish language, the Northwestern Turkic dialects, and medieval Eurasian history. The only known copy of the work is preserved at the Saint Marcus Library in Venice.

^{Codex Cumanicus 1a (}Galip Güner⁾

History

The exact date of composition of the Codex Cumanicus is unknown, but it is generally dated to the late 13th and early 14th centuries, and it is believed to have been written in the city of Solhat, a major trade and cultural center in Crimea during that period. The first section of the Venice copy contains a record dated 11 July 1303. However, it is unclear whether this date refers to the original writing or to the copying process.^【1】 

It is not definitively known who authored the Codex Cumanicus. Its content indicates that it was compiled by different individuals over various time periods. The work was prepared to teach the Cuman language to foreign merchants and Christian clergy active in the Deşt-i Kıpçak region north of the Black Sea.

The sole surviving copy of the Codex Cumanicus was presented to the Republic of Venice in 1362 by the collector named Petrarca. Its recognition in the scholarly world began in the 17th century. It was first mentioned by Tomasini in 1656, cataloged by Leibniz in 1768, and published in its complete form by Geza Kuun in 1880. 

Content and Structure

The Codex Cumanicus consists of two distinct manuscript sections: one Italian (55 folios) and one German (27 folios):

Italian Section: This section includes Latin, Persian, and Cuman (Kipchak Turkish) dictionaries, Cuman grammar rules, and vocabulary related to social and economic life. It is believed to have been written for Genoese or Venetian merchants and Franciscan missionaries engaged in trade with the Ilkhanate and the Golden Horde. Its neat and legible script suggests it was composed by a monk or religious official.^【2】 

German Section: This part was written by Franciscan friars. Multiple handwriting styles have been identified in this section, indicating that the texts were composed by different individuals at different times. It contains Cuman-language Christian texts, prayers, hymns, and riddles, as well as Cuman-Latin and Cuman-German dictionaries. 

An example of a riddle from the Codex Cumanicus:^【3】 

Linguistic Features

The Codex Cumanicus is one of the earliest written records of Kipchak Turkish. Kipchak Turkish served as a lingua franca among various peoples of the period. Deşt-i Kıpçak communities including Greeks, Armenians, Circassians, Lezgins, and Avars spoke this language.

The work is also highly valuable for preserving early examples of Turkish folk literature. Its 47 riddles, proverbs, prayers, and hymns offer significant folkloric insights into the daily and spiritual life of the Cuman people. Many of these riddles remain alive today in the oral literature of Turkic peoples such as the Kazakhs, Tatars, and Turkmens.

^{Codex Cumanicus 59a (}Galip Güner⁾ 

The Codex Cumanicus is not merely a dictionary or language-learning tool; it is also a reflection of a multicultural, multilingual, and interfaith environment of its time. This work, shaped in the Kipchak steppe, is an essential reference for tracing the historical development of the Turkish language and understanding cultural interactions in the region.