The “Joshua Roll” (Rome, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Pal. gr. 431), a tenth-century illuminated scroll of the first half of the Old Testament book of Joshua, is among the finest examples of Byzantine book illumination. Previously overlooked, the texts accompanying the pictures along with other primary sources explain the miniatures. A critical edition of the Greek with English translation shows how elegantly and accurately the artist illustrated the epic story of Joshua’s conquest of the Promised Land. Details of iconography and style suggest that the Joshua Roll is the copy of a cartoon for a triumphal column, which likely was intended to honor the exploits of Basil “the Bastard”, chamberlain or chief minister of four emperors, Constantine VII, Nicephorus Phocas, John Tzimisces and the young Basil II.
The Joshua Roll (Rome, Biblioteca Apostolica Vaticana, Pal. gr. 431), a tenth-century illuminated scroll of the first half of the Old Testament book of Joshua, is among the finest examples of Byzantine book illumination. Each of the fifteen parchment sheets combines pictures above excerpts from the Septuagint; and although overlooked in the past, the texts accompanying the pictures along with other primary sources explain the miniatures and place the artwork in its historical context. A critical edition of the Ancient Greek along with English translation shows how elegantly and accurately the artist illustrated the epic story of Joshua’s conquest of the Promised Land. Details of iconography and style suggest that the Joshua Roll is the copy of a cartoon for a triumphal column, originally produced for the Emperor Heraclius (610-641) and which was likely recopied after 958 for the purpose of honoring the exploits of Basil “the Bastard”, chamberlain or chief minister of four emperors, Constantine VII, Nicephorus Phocas, John Tzimisces, and the young Basil II.
Because of its importance as a document of Byzantine history, as an early witness to the text of the Old Testament, and as one of the world’s greatest artworks, this critical edition of the manuscript should appeal to a broad audience of Byzantinists, art historians, classicists, biblical and literary scholars. The book could have popular appeal with anyone interested in how written texts are illustrated.
„Il s’agit d’une étude audacieuse et intelligente.“
Von: M. Cacouros
In: Scriptorium, 2015/LXIX/1
Steven H. Wander received his Ph.D. in medieval art history from Stanford University. Recipient of grants and awards from the National Endowment for the Humanities, American Council of Learned Societies, UCLA Center for Medieval and Renaissance Studies, and the Fulbright program to the Courtauld Institute of Art, he has held teaching positions at the University of California, Irvine and currently at the University of Connecticut, Stamford. He has published widely on Byzantine Art and English Gothic Architecture.
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