One Manuscript, Three Persecutions8th edition of 'Artefact of the Month' published

13 August 2021, by Webmaster

Photo: Österreichische Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

The 8th edition of our series 'Artefact of the Month' has been published. This time, a Hebrew codex travels from Franconia to Vienna and gets caught up in the turmoil of several persecutions of Jews.

From the 'Rintfleisch Massacre' in 1298 to the Vienna Gezerah in 1421: the pages of our current Manuscript of the Month reflect the chequered Jewish history of the Middle Ages. The Vienna Prophets and Hagiographa, a Hebrew codex containing the first and second part of the Old Testament, passes several times from Jewish to Christian hands and back again, travels from Franconia to Vienna, is looted, sold at high prices, and finally almost falls into oblivion. Its history symbolises how the meaning and value of a manuscript can shift - depending on circumstances and perspective.   

The full story of this fascinating artefact is now available. In every edition of Artefact of the Month, an expert in the field shares the unique story behind a particular object in a compelling and approachable fashion. Editorial duties are overseen by Dr Wiebke Beyer and Karin Becker, who greatly welcome ideas for future editions.

Artefact of the Month is the successor of manuscript of the month, a full archive of which can be accessed here.