The oldest known Bible written in Latin, is The Codex Amiatinus, which was written by monks at Wearmouth-Jarrow monastery in the north-east of England, in 716AD. It is a treasure of the Anglo-Saxon world. Unfortunately it is the only complete copy left, and survived because it was carried to Rome as a gift for Pope Gregory II.
The Pope had once been in charge of the Papal Library, so he no doubt appreciated the gift. Its current owners, the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Florence have lent it back to the British Library, for its first return to Britain in 1,302 years. At half a metre in height, and more than 34kg (75lb) in weight, it took more than a thousand animal skins to make its parchment.
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| The Codex Amiatinus - Maiestas Domini (Christ in Majesty) with the Four Evangelists. |
The Pope had once been in charge of the Papal Library, so he no doubt appreciated the gift. Its current owners, the Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana in Florence have lent it back to the British Library, for its first return to Britain in 1,302 years. At half a metre in height, and more than 34kg (75lb) in weight, it took more than a thousand animal skins to make its parchment.
