Facsimiles of Medieval Manuscripts and Incunabula

Rome, Vatican Apostolic Library, Ms. Pal. Graec. 431

The Joshua Roll is the only illuminated manuscript in scroll form to survive from the Middle Byzantine period, dating to the 10th century. It is over 10 meters in length but is likely incomplete. It focuses on the military success of Joshua, using text from the Old Testament Book of Joshua (Chapters II-IX). It is painted in grisaille and was likely produced in Constantinople.

High Quality Color Facsimile with Multilingual Commentary

Rome, Vatican Library, MS. Vat. Gr. 1613

The Menologion of Basil II is an illuminated church calendar produced for the emperor Basil II (r. 976-1025) circa 1000. Originally contained in two volumes, only one remains. It contains over 430 miniature paintings. The majority of the painting illustrate key moments from the lives of the saints depicted, but a few depict contemporary ceremonial events connected with both Hagia Sophia and Constantinople.

High Quality Color Facsimile with Spanish Commentary

Rossano, Biblioteca Capitolare 6 (Codex Purpureus Rossanensis)

The Rossano Gospels, a purple codex, date to the 6th century and are the earliest surviving illuminated manuscript of the New Testament. There are now 188 folios, among which is a prefatory cycle of miniatures illustrating scenes from the life of Christ. Special Collections has a partial black-and-white facsimile.

Black and White Partial Facsimile

Moscow, State Historical Museum, MS. D.129

The Chludov Psalter is an illuminated marginal manuscript, likely made in Constantinople in the mid 9th century. It is unique in being one of three illuminated manuscripts to survive from the period of Iconoclasm. The Psalter contains 169 folios and follows the liturgy prescribed for Hagia Sophia, Constantinople. The marginal illuminations are polemical, particularly in the depictions of defeated iconoclasts.

High Quality Color Facsimile

Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, MS Supplementum graecum 247

Nikander was a 2nd century Greek poet. His Theriaca describes the nature of venomous animals and the wounds that they inflict. The Alexipharmaca focuses on poisons and their antidotes. His works continued to be consulted by medical doctors in the Middle Ages, as is demonstrated by this 10th century Byzantine illuminated manuscript. Produced in Constantinople, it reproduces Late Antique/Early Christian figural types and styles.

High Quality Color Facsimile with French Commentary

Milan, Biblioteca Ambrosiana, Cod. F. 205 P. inf.

The Ambrosian Iliad is the only surviving illustrated copy of Homer from antiquity. The miniatures have been individually cut out, so the surviving portion of the manuscript does not contain the text column.

High Quality Color Facsimile with multilingual introduction

New York City, New York Public Library, MS MA 97

Black and White Facsimile with English Commentary

Paris, Bibliothèque Nationale de France, MS. gr. 139

The Paris Psalter is a Byzantine illuminated manuscript that contains 14 full-page miniatures and is considered a key work in the 10th century Macedonian Renaissance.

Black and White Facsimile with English Introduction

Copenhagen, Royal Library, Gl. Kongl. Saml. MS 6

High Quality Color and Black and White Facsimile with German Commentary