Codex Gigas: The Devil’s Bible

The Codex Gigas is the largest surviving medieval illuminated manuscript in the world. At 36 inches tall, 20 inches wide, 8.7 inches thick, and weighing in at 165 pounds, the manuscript is most commonly known as The Devil’s Bible, thanks to its full-size portrait of the Devil. While portraits of the Devil were common during medieval times, this one is unique as he is portrayed alone on the page, and standing at approximately 19.5 inches tall. He is naked apart from an ermine loincloth, crouching and leaning forward. As Ermine is worn as a sign of royalty, it is believed that the Devil wears this to demonstrate that he is the Prince of Darkness.

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