Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Zir Ganela Gospels
Ethiopia, 1400-1401
MS M.828 fol. 9v

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Innocents: Massacre -- Herod the Great crowned, seated on cushioned bench, scepter in right hand, left hand extended toward two veiled women, each holding nude child; in background, shelf on which is carafe and glass; inscription, “Herod, how he killed the children” (Ge’ez);
below, three soldiers wearing helmets and armor, two beheading infants with swords, above bodies of seven infants; to right, Rachel inscribed “Rachel, when she wept for her children” (Ge’ez), breasts exposed, orant, weeping.