Initial A with the Battle of the Maccabees

Italian

Not on view

Medieval Christians considered the Maccabees, who regained the Temple in Jerusalem for Jewish worship, as early models for the Christian Crusaders, fighting to recapture the Holy City from Muslim control. This page illustrates a text that would have been sung during worship in a monastery. The Maccabees, dressed as medieval knights and carrying a banner marked "M," triumphantly rout the Greek army from the city.

#2851. Illuminated Initial N: Battle Scene

0:00
0:00
View Transcript
Initial A with the Battle of the Maccabees, Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment, Italian

Due to rights restrictions, this image cannot be enlarged, viewed at full screen, or downloaded.

Open Access

As part of the Met's Open Access policy, you can freely copy, modify and distribute this image, even for commercial purposes.

API

Public domain data for this object can also be accessed using the Met's Open Access API.

Initial A with the Battle of the Maccabees, Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment, Italian
Initial A with the Battle of the Maccabees, Tempera, gold, and ink on parchment, Italian

This artwork is meant to be viewed from right to left. Scroll left to view more.