Macrobius: Commentarii in Somnium Scipionis. Southern France (?) c. 1150.
NkS 218 4º. Parchment, 50 ff.

Fol. 25r: The Universe

This manuscript contains a commentary on Cicero’s “Scipio’s Dream”, written by Macrobius in the 5th century. It was much read during the Middle Ages. In this manuscript the text is accompanied by charts and beautifully coloured diagrams that were intended to facilitate the understanding of the text as well as to decorate the book. The illustration shows the Universe, the Earth in the centre, surrounded by the seven planets within the zodiacal signs, carried on the shoulders of four giant male figures.

23.9 x 14 cm.

See the entire manuscript on the website of the Manuscript and Rare Books Department Macrobius, Commentarii in Somnium Scipionis.

© Det Kongelige Bibliotek 2004