2. The Vatican Manuscript of Virgil’s
Aeneid
is an illustrated manuscript
written in Rome.
It contains fragments of
Virgil’s Aeneid and Georgics.
It is one of the oldest
surviving illustrated codices.
It is one of the oldest sources
for the text of the Aeneid.
3. When?
This manuscript of the Aeneid was
probably produced at the end of the
fourth century in Italy.
How?
Most likely a stationer
(bookseller)employed a local scribe
(someone who copies books) and an
artist to produce this manuscript.
4. This manuscript is a testimony
that Italy was capable of
producing books and literature
as far back as the 4th century.
It also reflects that in the 4th
century, scribes were highly
valued.
5. As we can see from
the picture, the
human figures are
painted in a
classical style
with natural
proportions.
• The artifact reveals
that art was
important to the
people at this time.
6. In this
manuscript, there is
no separation between
words to leave room
for the illustrations.
This reveals the art
was more valued than
the actual writing.
• Forexampleitwouldloo
klikethis.
7. The Aeneid was the central Latin
literary text of the Middle Age.
• It shows modern day historians that
writing and literature was valued to the
people.
Considering there were no spaces
between the words, this artifact
really proves that writing has come
a long way!
We can mass print books today
instead of having to copy them by
hand.