Bamberg Apocalypse and Book of Pericopes Bamberg Apocalypse and Book of Pericopes

The New Testament ends with the Book of Revelation of John. The Apocalypse contains prophecies about the end of the world and the creation of a new world, which were intended to convey hope to early Christian communities suffering from persecution.

The Bamberg Apocalypse is the only complete manuscript of this book of the Bible to survive from the Ottonian era which contains a cycle of illustrations. Fifty full- or half-page miniatures present the events of the final phase of the world in images of extreme expressiveness and drama.

After the opening of the book with seven seals, seven trumpets are blown to mark the beginning of the fight between Satan and the people of God. Angels announce the Last Judgment and pour seven bowls with the wrath of God over the creation. In the bottom right-hand corner, John writes down his visions.