Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Antiquitates Judaicae; De bello Judaico
France, Dijon, late 13th century
MS M.534 fol. 128r

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Holy Women: at Sepulcher -- Within initial A, angel, nimbed, is seated on edge of sarcophagus, holding palm with right hand and indicating sarcophagus with left hand. Cloth is draped over edge of the sarcophagus. Before the sarcophagus, three soldiers wearing mail recline on, or next to, shields. Behind the sarcophagus stand three Holy Women, nimbed, two raising right hands and holding ointment jars with left hands; third only partly visible. Lamp hangs above.
Initial partially formed by winged hybrid with human head; decoration of foliate ornament.
Beginning of Book 5 Chapter 1 of Josephus, De Bello Judaico.