1. MedievWorld1_fm_4pp.qxd

422 Karbala, Battle of

there is no clear evidence that they were connected to
the Italian-German families.
Members of these groups significantly influenced the
culture and outlook of medieval German Jewry in three
principal ways. First they helped to develop and preserve
a mystical Judaism. Several family members were leaders
of the Ashkenazi Hasidism movement at the end of the
12th century and during the 13th. Second, they influ-
enced the liturgy and synagogue prayer. And third, this
family was pivotal in forming the spiritual image and out-
look of much Ashkenazi culture.
See alsoKABBALA.
Further reading:Joseph Dan, The “Unique Cherub”
Circle: A School of Mystics and Esoterics in Medieval Ger-
many(Tübingen: Mohr Siebeck, 1999); Avraham Gross-
man, “Kalonymus Family,” DMA7.206–7.

Karbala, Battle of This was a famous early battle
fought in October 680 in an area southwest of BAGHDAD
between a tiny army of supporters of AL-HUSAYN IBNALI
and overwhelming UMAYYADforces. Al-Husayn and his
companions were defeated and massacred. The circum-
stances of the night before the battle, and the battle
itself, have become legendary. The battle took place on
the 10th day of the Muslim month of al-Muharram, a
day considered to be particularly sacred, especially by
SHIITES.
Further reading:Abdullah Yusuf Ali, Imam Husain
and His Martyrdom (Lahore: al-Biruni, 1978); Wilfred
Madelung, The Succession to Muhammad: A Study of the
Early Caliphate(Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1997).

Kells, Book of Sometimes called the “chief relic of the
Western world,” the Book of Kells is an illuminated
manuscript created by monks over a period of several
years. It can be dated to the end of the eighth and begin-
ning of the ninth centuries. It contains the GOSPELSof
Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John. Believed to be the work
of three scribes, it was written in LATINon calf vellum in
Irish script, mostly in its majuscule form. The text was
based on Saint JEROME’SVulgate Bible and has been pre-
served at Trinity College in Dublin (Ms. A.I.6).

DETAILS OF THE MANUSCRIPT

Its colorful and detailed illustrations have long been con-
sidered among the finest religious art of the early Middle
Ages. Done in the Hiberno-Saxon style, the Book of Kells
contains many full-page images, including those of Jesus,
Matthew, John, and the Virgin MARY. There are elaborate
designs, fine decorations, representations of vegetation
and animals, and abstract and symbolic figures. For
example, Matthew is represented as a man, Mark as a
lion, Luke as a calf, and John as an eagle. Its capital let-
ters are large, highly ornamented, and surrounded by

symbolic figures. The Book of Kellsalso contains a page of

etymologies, numerous canon tables, and summaries of

and prefaces to the GOSPELS.

PROVENANCE

The manuscript consists of 340 folios, but some 30 folios

originally in the Bookare likely missing. Its cover was

decorated with GOLD. When it was stolen in 1007, its

jeweled bindings were forcibly removed by the thieves

and have remained lost. The rest of the book was recov-

ered a few months later. However, the preface and some

12 leaves at the end were also destroyed.

The Book of Kells was probably created in the

monastery of IONA, an island in the Hebrides, off the

shore of SCOTLAND. It may have been intended as a com-

memoration in 797 of the 200th anniversary of the death

of Saint COLUMBA. About 807, when VIKINGSinvaded

Iona, the monks fled their monastery, taking the book

with them, and moved to Kells in County Meath, Ireland.

See alsoILLUMINATION;LINDISFARNEGOSPELS.

Further reading:Carol Farr, The Book of Kells: Its

Function and Audience(Toronto: University of Toronto

Press, 1997): George Henderson, From Durrow to Kells:

The Insular Gospel Books, 650–800(London: Thames and

Portrait of Christ from the Book of Kells,ca. 800, fol. 32v.

Trinity College, Dublin, Ireland (Art Resource)