Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

Speculum humanae salvationis
Germany, probably Nuremberg, between 1350 and 1400
MS M.140 fol. 33r

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Left column:
Sisera: killed by Jael -- Jael, name inscribed IAHEL, holding hammer in right hand, pounds spike, held with left hand, into head of Sisera, name inscribed CYSARA, eyes shut, bleeding from wound, semi-recumbent, holding shield.
Caption, IAHEL P(ER)FORAUIT CYSARAM HOSTE(M) FILIO(RUM) ISR(AE)L, is inscribed above miniature.
Right column:
Cyrus the Great: killed by Tomyris -- Tomyris, crowned, holding sword with right hand, grasps hair on head of Cyrus, holding it over container. His headless body reclines in foreground next to shield.
Caption, REGINA THAMARI D(E)COLLAUIT CYRU(M) INIQUU(M), is inscribed above miniature.