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Codex Aureus of St. Emmeram

Cover detail of the Codex Aureus of Emmerman, 870 C.E. Gold relief with gems, Bavarian State Library, Munich, Germany.

The Codex Aureus of St. Emmeram is a ninth-century illuminated gospel. The cover of the codex is decorated with gems and relief figures in gold, and can be precisely dated to 870 C.E. It is an important example of Carolingian art that comes from the reign of Charlemagne and his immediate heirs. The art of the genre was produced by and for the court circle and important monasteries. The Codex Aureus resides in the Bavarian State Library in Munich. The story of the woman taken in adultery is found on the upper left side of the codex: the central image is of a seated Christ.

Codex Aureus of St. Emmeram

A text of pages bound leaf style, like a modern book—as opposed to a scroll, which has no discrete pages.

A category or type, often of literary work.

A gospel is an account that describes the life of Jesus of Nazareth.

Buildings housing religious renunciates and usually including a space for prayer.

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