Medieval & Renaissance Manuscripts

I Maccabees.
Bologna, Italy, ca. 1270
MS G.38.II, fol. 159v

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Maccabees: Battle -- Alexander the Great, crowned, astride bridled horse, shield at left side, with sword in right hand strikes soldier wearing helmet and mail, astride horse at right.
All in initial E at beginning of I Maccabees.
In center margin, nude grotesque man, wearing foliate hat, mantle, in decorated vertical bar next to the initial.
In lower margin, two medallions of decorated foliate vine enclose soldier wearing mail, raised sword in right hand, shield at left side, confronting lion, mouth open showing teeth, tongue emerging.