Codex Purpureus Rossanensis (Rossano Gospels)

This codex in the diocesan library of the city of Rossano in Calabria is a gospel book of which only fragments have survived. Only the first two gospels remain, and of these only that according to St Mark is still complete. The number of miniatures is reduced to 15 pages. These illustrations, arranged in two registers one above the other to present an ongoing narrative sequence, begin with the parable of the Good Samaritan and end with the release of Barabbas.

The text was written in Greek uncial in two columns on purple-stained parchment. The writing is in silver ink, with lines of gold lettering appearing at intervals.

The gospel book is one of the few surviving purple parchment manuscripts of the early Middle Ages. The Vienna Genesis, the Codex Purpureus Rossanensis (Rossano Gospels) and the Codex Sinopensis (Sinope Gospels) constitute a related group of mid 6th-century manuscripts written on purple dyed parchment. They are dated on the basis of the style of the miniatures.

The most recent hypotheses concerning the origin of the manuscript suggest that the entire decorative conception of the book derives from the Syrian region in general and perhaps Antioch in particular, or the Palestinian area centred upon Caesarea.

On folio 2 recto the freeze-like composition shows the entry of Christ into Jerusalem. To the right we see an abbreviated rendering of the city with inquisitive people straining eagerly from the windows in anticipation of the promised Messiah's arrival, and large number of people hastening out of the city gateway with palm leaves to meet Christ riding the ass.

In this picture the iconography of Christ's entry into Jerusalem was already so highly developed at this early date in the history of art that its affectionate marriage of genre and ritual elements remained largely unchanged for another thousand years. (See an example from the 14th century.)

Between the miniature and the Greek text, half-length portraits of four prophets have been interpolated. Their legends announce the event seen at the top of the leaf.