Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Libro degli uomini famosi
Italy, Venice, ca. 1405
MS G.36 fol. 81r

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Petrarch: Text, De Viris Illustribus, Gaius Julius Caesar -- Miniature in two registers:
1) Julius Caesar: Scene, Crossing Rubicon -- Man, playing horn held in both hands, stands in Rubicon River. On bank of river sits shepherd, playing horn. Behind him are Julius Caesar, wearing armor, seated astride horse, and helmeted soldiers with spears.
2) Julius Caesar: Scene, Battle -- Helmeted soldiers, astride horses, fight with lances, sword, and mace.
Initial E, enclosing two scenes:
1) Julius Caesar: Scene, Death -- Caesar, hooded, fallen to ground, is stabbed by three senators with daggers.
2) Julius Caesar: Scene, Burial -- Four men, some gesturing, and a figure fully draped in robe, stand beside body of Julius Caesar. A man holds lighted torch beneath the body (cremation).