Objekttexte

The decline of Roman Antiquity Emperor Vespasian Gold coin, AD 74 Vespasian (AD 9–79, Emperor from AD 69) probably spent part of his youth in Aventicum (present-day Avenches in the Canton of Vaud). In AD 70, he raised Aventicum to the rank of a colony. The previously insignificant town became a regional centre and by AD 200 its population had grown to 20,000. The saying “Pecunia non olet” (money does not stink) goes back to Vespasian. He levied a tax on the latrines, from which urine was collected for tanning. This is the only gold imperial coin in the collection of the Abbey Library. It was found by peat diggers in Rüti, near Rapperswil. Rome – AD 74 – gold

Found: in Rüti, near Rapperswil

Obverse: Head of Vespasian, IMPCAESAR VESPASIANVS AVG Reverse: Fortuna on a pedestal with oar and cornucopia,

FORTVNA AVGVST

St Gall, Abbey Library, coin cabinet, drawer 79, No. 6 !6 Objekttexte

The decline of Roman Antiquity Emperor Hadrian Bronze coin, AD 119–122 It was during the rule of Hadrian

(AD 76–138, Emperor from AD 117) that the Roman Empire reached its zenith. In AD 122 he had Hadrian’s Wall (named after him) built in Britain. This border fortification marked the northern frontier of the Roman Empire. He fought comparatively few wars and was more concerned with the development of the empire’s infrastructure. For example, he built roads and aqueducts. Hadrian was highly educated. He was also interested in music, painting, poetry, mathematics, medicine and astronomy. Rome – AD 119–122 – bronze (orichalcum)

Obverse: Head of Hadrian, IMP CAESAR TRAIANVS HADRIANVS AVG Reverse: Felicitas with caduceus and cornucopia,

PONT MAX TR POT COS III / S C

St Gall, Abbey Library, coin cabinet, drawer 30, No. 17 !15 Objekttexte

The decline of Roman Antiquity Constantine the Great Bronze coin, AD 305–317 Constantine the Great (c. AD 280–337, Emperor from AD 306) permitted Christians living in the Roman Empire to practise their religion freely. According to legend, Constantine saw a cross of light the night before the Battle of the Milvian Bridge in AD 312, and he read the words: “In this sign you will conquer”. When Constantine actually won the battle, he attributed the victory to the God of the Christians, whose religious symbol is the cross. However, Constantine always had the Roman sun god Sol minted on his coins. Here, the god is even called the “companion” of the emperor. Rome? – AD 305–317 – bronze

Obverse: Head of Constantine, IMPCONSTANTINVS PF AVG Reverse: Sol with globe and raised hand, SOLI INVICTO COMITI St Gall, Abbey Library, coin cabinet, drawer 62, No. 17 !24 Objekttexte

The decline of Roman Antiquity Fibula (brooch) from the area around the fort at

Post AD 350 Roman soldiers and oficials fastened their cloaks with fibulas like this one. At the same time, these brooches served as insignia of rank. This is a crossbow brooch with onion-shaped knobs. However, the middle knob is missing. Seen from the front, the fibula appears to be cross-shaped. For this reason, such brooches have sometimes been assumed to be Christian symbols. If this assumption is correct, this fibula would be one of the earliest artefacts to attest to the presence of Christianity in . Post AD 350 – bronze with traces of gold plating

Findspot: Arbon

On loan from the Archaeology Department of Canton Thurgau, www. archaeologie.tg.ch, AATG, Inv. Nr. 2014.090.9.1 !33 Objekttexte

The decline of Roman Antiquity Rim fragment of a mortarium from the area around the fort at Arbon AD 300/400 The Romans used this type of vessel to prepare certain recipes from the Mediterranean region. Such vessels were in common use in the territory of present-day Switzerland until the withdrawal of the Roman troops in AD 401. They bear witness to a Mediterranean lifestyle which the Romans stationed north of the Alps were not willing to abandon. By the time Gallus stayed in Arbon in the 7th century, recipes and food imports from the south were a thing of the past. AD 300/400 – pottery

Findspot: Arbon

On loan from the Archaeology Department of Canton Thurgau, www. archaeologie.tg.ch, AATG, Inv. Nr. 1961.031_62.473 !42 Objekttexte

The decline of Roman Antiquity Terra sigillata fragment from the area around the fort at Arbon

AD 300/400 Terra sigillata is the name given to high-quality Roman tableware with relief decoration and a bright red slip. This fragment has a delicate roller-stamped decoration. It was probably manufactured in the Moselle region of Germany. Whether such vessels were still in use in Gallus’s time is a matter of speculation. In any case, the mixed Romano-Germanic population certainly produced their own pottery. Moselle region (?) – AD 300/400 – pottery

Findspot: Arbon

On loan from the Archaeology Department of Canton Thurgau, www. archaeologie.tg.ch, AATG, Inv. Nr. 1961.031_3248 !51 Objekttexte

The decline of Roman Antiquity The Migration Period From the 4th to the 6th centuries, Germanic tribes migrated across large parts of Europe. The so-called Migration Period led to the decline of ancient culture. After the withdrawal of the Roman troops in 401 from the region that is now Switzerland, the Gallo-Roman population began to mix with the Germanic tribes. In the west, the Burgundians adopted Latin, whereas in the east the retained their mother tongue. This gave rise to the diferent language regions in present-day Switzerland (western Switzerland: French; eastern Switzerland: German). Through the migration of peoples, Roman Christianity was eclipsed or suppressed by Germanic cult forms. !64 Objekttexte

The decline of Roman Antiquity Fragment of a flue tile with traces of soot from the area around the fort at Arbon AD 300/400 This box-flue tile (“tubulus”) came from a Roman public bath complex (“thermae”). Roman baths comprised several rooms: the hot bath (“caldarium”), the warm room (“tepidarium”) and the cold pool (“frigidarium”). Tiles like this fragment were used in practically identical form in baths throughout the Roman Empire. They channelled of fumes and heated the walls with a supply of warm air. In fortified towns like Arbon, neither the occupying army nor the civil population were willing to forgo the pleasure of bathing. AD 300/400 – tile

Findspot: Arbon

On loan from the Archaeology Department of Canton Thurgau, www. archaeologie.tg.ch, AATG, Inv. Nr. 1986.001.23.100 !69 Objekttexte

The legacy of the monasteries The Rule of St Benedict

The most historically significant transcription C. 820 Charlemagne introduced the Benedictine Rule in all the monasteries of his empire. For this, it was necessary to disseminate a reliable standard text of the Rule. Charlemagne believed Benedict’s original copy to be in Montecassino, so he had the Rule transcribed there and declared this copy to be the standard text that should be adopted by all the monasteries. In 817, two of the monks at the Abbey of Reichenau transcribed Charlemagne’s standard copy. They made critical annotations of variants from another manuscript in the margins. This text was copied again at St Gall. Since all the older manuscripts have been lost, the St Gall codex is today the most historically significant transcription of the Benedictine Rule. St Gall – c. 820 – parchment – 272 pages

The scribblings in the margin date from the 16th century St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 914 !79 Objekttexte

The legacy of the monasteries The Rule of St Benedict in the chapter ofice book 1542/1543

The Abbey of St Gall followed the Benedictine Rule for over a thousand years: from 747 until the dissolution of the abbey in 1805. Over the years, the Rule was transcribed several times. Here it is part of a so-called chapter ofice book. Every morning, a monk would read out a chapter from this book. This manuscript was written by the cathedral organist and calligrapher Fridolin Sicher in 1542/1543. Diethelm Blarer (ruled 1530– 1564) had commissioned him with this task. Diethelm Blarer’s family coat of arms, a red cock, can be seen at the beginning of the text in an initial drawn in gold ink. St Gall (Fridolin Sicher) – 1542/1543 – parchment – 268 pages Two initials drawn in gold ink

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 452 !88 Objekttexte

The legacy of the monasteries Ovid’s “Metamorphoses” with many comments in the margins 1100/1150 The “Metamorphoses” of the Roman poet Ovid († A.D. 17) was among the ancient works read by pupils at the monastic school. Ovid explains the world through myths:

15 books written in verse describe how gods and humans are transformed into animals, plants or stars. This manuscript was used in lessons at the school. For several centuries, teachers or students added comments in the margins and between the lines. There is other evidence that this was a much-used manuscript: the parchment is very worn, particularly at the corners. St Gall (?) – 1100/1150 – parchment – 112 pages

Page 3 bears a small map of the world with climate zones; page 112 mentions an earthquake that took place in 1298 St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 866 !98 Objekttexte

The legacy of the monasteries A compendium of medical texts 850/900 This manuscript contains a miscellany of writings. In all, there are 39 medical texts dating from Antiquity. One of these is a collection of recipes for remedies, classified according to area of application from head to toe. This enabled people to find the right remedy for every ailment. Another text informs us of the healing properties of diferent plants. The Mandragora (mandrake) is even depicted in a small drawing. Several texts are attributed to famous physicians of Greek Antiquity, such as Hippocrates. One is even said to come from the god Asclepius himself. Northern Italy (?) – 850/900 – parchment – 500 pages A pen and ink drawing of a mandrake

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 751 !10 7 Objekttexte

The legacy of the monasteries “Leges”

Tribal laws of the Visigoths, the and the Alemanni, 793 In 793, the scribe Wandalgarius compiled a manuscript containing three sets of tribal laws, so-called “Leges”. He wrote down the Roman law governing the Visigothic Kingdom (“Lex Romana Visigothorum”) as well as the tribal laws of the Franks and the Alemanni (“Lex Salica” and “Lex Alamannorum”). This manuscript is the oldest book in the Abbey Library bearing an exact date. We even know that Wandalgarius wrote a good 100 pages in only three days. The manuscript contains some remarkable fanciful initials, often in the form of animals and drawn partly with the aid of a compass. One of the pages bears a drawing of a lawmaker. Burgundy (?) – 793 – parchment– 342 pages Contains numerous initials

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 731 !11 6 Objekttexte

Irish mission Gallus, the Irishman at the beginning of the story of St Gall The story of the Abbey of St Gall and the city of St Gallen begins with the Irish monk Gallus. He was a travelling companion of the well-known Irish missionary of Luxeuil († 615). In , Gallus left the group in disagreement with his companions. Journeying via Arbon, he reached the Steinach Valley in 612 and founded a hermitage not far from here. A first community of monks soon grew up around him. In time, this community developed into the Abbey of St. Gall and, later, the city of St. Gallen. Gallus laid an important foundation for the establishment of new ecclesiastical and political structures in the region of . Atelier Nyfenegger, Flurlingen 2019 St Gall, Abbey Library !12 5 Objekttexte

Irish mission The Irish Gospel Book of St Gall One of the most beautiful examples of Irish book art C. 780 This manuscript containing the four Gospels is adorned with impressive Irish illuminations. It was probably written at the monastery of Lorrha in the Midlands region of Ireland in about 780 and brought to the Abbey of St Gall around 850. The volume contains twelve full-page illustrations of high quality. This makes it one of the most beautiful Irish manuscripts to have been preserved. Stylistically, at least two diferent artists can be distinguished. The evangelists are depicted with a spiritual expression and are reminiscent of Byzantine icons. Irish Midlands – c. 780 – parchment – 268 pages 12 full-page illustrations

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 51 !13 4 Objekttexte

Old High German The “Abrogans”

Latin – glossary C. 790 The so-called “Abrogans” is a Latin – Old High German dictionary. Its name derives from its first entry, “abrogans” (humble). This glossary goes back to an alphabetically arranged Latin dictionary of synonyms. The Latin word pairs were later translated into Old High German. In the “Abrogans” Latin words alternate with Old High German expressions. This little book contains over 3,200 diferent words in Old High German. On the last pages we find the Lord’s Prayer and the Creed in Old High German. These are the oldest German versions of these texts. South-west Germany – c. 790 –parchment – 323 pages Several fish initials

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 911 !14 4 Objekttexte

Old High German “Vocabularius sancti Galli”

Manuscript compilation with glossaries 750/800 This little book was intended for private use. Amongst other things, it contains a Latin – Old High German dictionary. In the Baroque period, it was mistakenly assumed that this book once belonged to Saint Gall – hence the name “Dictionary of Saint Gall”. A specialised glossary with around 400 terms provides a basic vocabulary, arranged by theme, not unlike today’s modern language guides for tourists. The subjects covered include: plants, animals and humans; parts of the body and diseases; agriculture, roads and housing; the sky, weather and seasons. Germany (?) – 750/800 – parchment – 206 pages Rough parchment of poor quality

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 913 !15 3 Objekttexte

Charlemagne (747–814) A book cover made of two ivory tablets Front cover Late 8th century It is possible that Emperor Charlemagne was presented with a magnificent ivory diptych on the occasion of his coronation in Rome in 800. According to the chronicler Ekkehart IV († c. 1060) the ivory tablets were once owned by Charlemagne. Archbishop Hatto of Mainz is said to have entrusted them to the Abbot of St Gall. Originally, the two tablets formed a diptych. Judging by its size, it can probably be counted among the consular diptychs of the 5th century. The tablets were exquisitely carved in the 8th century. The front side shows a strongly undercut pattern of rosettes. Late 8th century – ivory, mounted on a wooden cover of later origin St John’s Gospel St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 60 !16 3 Objekttexte

Charlemagne (747–814) A book cover made of two ivory tablets Back cover Late 8th century Bears, lions and leopards attack their prey. This relief was probably carved as a coronation gift for Emperor Charlemagne. It depicts pairs of vine leaves, alternating with pairs of fighting animals. In the top panel, bears are attacking bulls. In the middle, lions are killing hinds and, in the bottom panel, leopards are overpowering gazelles. These two tablets are among the finest Carolingian ivory carvings. Tuotilo used them as a model for his cover of the Evangelium Longum. Late 8th century – ivory, mounted on a wooden cover of later origin St John’s Gospel St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 60 !17 2 Objekttexte

Charlemagne (747–814) Alcuin’s Bible A complete Bible in large format from the Abbey of St Martin in Tours

C. 800 Under Alcuin’s leadership, the Abbey of St Martin in Tours became the leading centre of Bible production. The Anglo-Saxon scholar improved the Bible texts and had Bibles produced in series at the scriptorium in Tours. For the first time, Alcuin’s Bibles, as they were called, brought together all the books of the Bible in one large volume. The copy on display came to the Abbey of St Gall around the mid-9th century at the latest, where it was intensively studied and annotated. Abbey of St Martin in Tours – c. 800 – parchment – 840 pages Almost 19.5 kg St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 75 !18 1 Objekttexte

The Abbey Plan and Gozbert’s Church The Abbey Plan of St Gall, c. 825 The most important construction plan dating from the Middle Ages shows the buildings of a Carolingian imperial monastery and their diferent functions. Around 825, Abbot Gozbert of St Gall was planning to build a new monastery. He sought advice from the monks at the monastery on the island of Reichenau. The plan comprises 45 buildings, 5 gardens and 334 annotations. It is not drawn to scale and no monastery was ever built following it exactly. However, it does provide us with a concept for the layout of the diferent types of building. For the first time in the Middle Ages, the floor plan shows a church, a cloister, a hospital, a school, a hostel, a kitchen, a bakery and a wine cellar, as well as stables and workshops. The original Abbey Plan can be seen in the exhibition room in the Klosterhof as part of the exhibition “The miracle of transmission”. Abbey of Reichenau – c. 825 – parchment St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 1092 !19 1 Objekttexte

The Abbey Plan and Gozbert’s Church Model of the church shown on the Abbey Plan We see a basilica with a crypt, choir, altars and rood screens. This three-dimensional model is based on the church shown on the Abbey Plan and the few surviving examples of Carolingian monastic architecture. It is easy to identify the crypt with the grave of St Gall, the high altar and choir above, and the layout of the other altars and their screens. However, the design of most of the other buildings shown on the Abbey Plan remains unknown. Model by Carl Bertil Lund, Stockton, California, according to the design of Walter Horn / Ernest Born – 1974/1982 !20 0 Objekttexte

Evangelium Longum The monk Tuotilo

Front cover of the Evangelium Longum Tuotilo carved a relief depicting Christ as ruler over heaven and earth on the largest ivory tablet known from Antiquity. The middle panel on the ivory tablet shows Christ between Alpha and Omega (the beginning and end of the world). In the corners, the four evangelists sit at their desks, accompanied by their symbols: John (eagle) and Matthew (angel) at the top, and Mark (lion) and Luke (bull) at the bottom. Above Christ, the sun and moon are depicted holding torches. Below are representations of water (amphora) and earth (cornucopia). C. 895 – ivory, hammered gold, precious and semi-precious stones

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 53, front cover !21 0 Objekttexte

Evangelium Longum The monk Tuotilo

Back cover of the Evangelium Longum The oldest depiction of St Gall shows that, as a saint, he was not even afraid of a bear. The lower panel depicts his legendary encounter with the bear. At Gallus’s command, the animal brings him firewood. In return, the saint gives the bear a loaf of bread. His companion Hiltibod is lying on the ground, pretending to be asleep, but in fact he is watching the scene very closely. Another interesting feature is the cross in the middle, on which hangs Gallus’s reliquary bag. The middle panel shows the Assumption of the Virgin Mary. Mary has raised her arms in prayer. Two angels, one on either side, guide her to heaven. C. 895 – ivory – hammered gold

St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 53, back cover !21 9 Objekttexte

Othmar’s Crypt Three capitals, a base and fragments of pillars

976–984 Abbot Immo (ruled 976–984) installed a crypt in the west of the Carolingian basilica to house the of St Othmar. In 719, Othmar revived the monastic community that had grown up around the tomb of St Gall. As abbot, Othmar came into conflict with the Frankish nobility. He died as a prisoner on the Werd Island near Stein am Rhein. In 769, ten years after Othmar’s death, his remains were brought to St Gall, where he has been venerated as a saint since the 9th century. The Ionian capitals were recovered from Othmar’s Crypt in the west of the cathedral in 1964. Their shape seems simplified compared to classical models. The surfaces are polished smooth. 976–984 – sandstone

Archaeology Department of Canton St Gallen, Inv. 01.065.0023–29 !23 3 Objekttexte

Music and liturgy The St Gall Cantatorium Chants for the Mass

C. 925 The St Gall Cantatorium is the oldest existing manuscript with all the chants for the Mass notated in St Gall neumes. The Cantatorium’s chants for the Mass are diferent for each feast. The solo chants (Gradual and Alleluia) are entirely notated in neumes, whereas for the other chants only the text incipit is indicated. The large number of addenda made up until the 15th century and the worn pages show that the Cantatorium was in regular use for several centuries. Two Late Antique ivory panels are attached to the front of the binding, depicting the fight of the god Dionysus against the Indians. St Gall – c. 925 – parchment – 178 pages

Oak binding with ivory, bone and gilded copper St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 359 !24 3 Objekttexte

Music and liturgy The Hartker Antiphonary

Chants for the Liturgy of the Hours C. 990/1000 The so-called Hartker Antiphonary is the oldest neume-notated record of the monks’ chants for the Liturgy of the Hours. The monks would assemble for prayer seven times a day and once at night. The psalms they sang were introduced by so-called antiphons. The antiphonary is named after the St Gall monk Hartker († 1011), who became a recluse in 980, living in a walled-up cell near the abbey. The first volume contains a depiction of the original legend of Gregorian chant: The Holy Spirit (in the form of a dove) whispers the chants into the ear of Pope Gregory the Great. St Gall – c. 990/1000 – parchment – 194 pages Four full-page coloured pen and ink drawings St Gall, Abbey Library, Cod. Sang. 390 !25 3 Objekttexte

The princely abbey The prince-abbot’s coat of arms A symbol of power

1767 This coat of arms was used during the abbacy of Beda Angehrn (1767–1796). It comprises the following elements: a shield divided into four quarters, an abbot’s staf, a mitre, a crown, a sword, an ermine mantle and an Order of the Annunciation. Each of these elements has a specific meaning: The four quarters of the shield refer to the territory of the princely abbey. The other elements represent the various functions of the prince-abbot. St Gall – 1767 – wood St Gall, Abbey Library !26 4 Objekttexte

The princely abbey The prince-abbot’s coat of arms Abbot’s staf The crozier (pastoral staf) symbolises the spiritual rule of a bishop or abbot. The staf is usually made of wood and is about 150 cm long. The top takes the form of an ornately decorated crook, often made of gilded silver or copper. According to its shape and function, the crozier is sometimes described as a shepherd’s staf.

This symbolises the concept that the faithful are entrusted to their bishop or abbot like sheep to their shepherd. On a coat of arms, the staf of a bishop points outwards and that of an abbot inwards. !27 2 Objekttexte

The princely abbey The prince-abbot’s coat of arms Mitre Traditionally, the mitre is the liturgical headgear of bishops. However, can obtain a papal privilege granting them the right to wear the mitre. The abbot’s mitre is a sign that the abbey is not subject to the authority of the local bishop. The mitre is a type of cap made of stif fabric. It consists of two parts, front and back, which are sewn together, coming to a point at the top. !28 0 Objekttexte

The princely abbey The prince-abbot’s coat of arms Princely hat The princely hat signifies that the abbot was also a prince of the empire. The princely hat often adorns the coats of arms of nobles. It has four golden half-arches with a purple hat underneath. The circlet is covered with ermine. At the beginning of the 13th century, the Abbey of St Gall was placed directly under the authority of the Holy Roman Empire. The abbots enjoyed royal privileges. This is why the abbey is often referred to as a “Princely Abbey”. !28 8 Objekttexte

The princely abbey The prince-abbot’s coat of arms Bear The bear is the heraldic animal of the Princely Abbey of St Gall. The presence of the bear on the coat of arms goes back to an episode in the life of St Gall. When the saint came to the Steinach Valley seeking a place to live as a , he encountered a bear. He ordered the animal: “Go and get a piece of wood and put it in the fire.” The saint rewarded the bear with a loaf of bread. The bear first appears as the heraldic animal of the princely abbey on a seal in 1334. The cantons of Appenzell Innerrhoden and Ausserrhoden as well as the cities of Wil and St Gallen also have the Gallus bear in their coats of arms. The bear in the coat of arms of the city of St Gallen has worn a gold necklace since 1475. It was given as a gesture of thanks by Emperor Frederick III for military assistance against Charles the Bold. !30 4 Objekttexte

The princely abbey The prince-abbot’s coat of arms The Lamb of God The Lamb of God is the emblem on the coat of arms of the Abbey of St John in the Thur Valley. The Abbey of St John was founded in the second quarter of the 12th century. It was first mentioned in records in 1152. In 1555, it was incorporated into the Abbey of St Gall. From then on, it was no longer independent, but a priory belonging to and administered by the Abbey of St Gall. The Lamb of God points to John the Baptist, the Abbey’s patron, who announced the arrival of Jesus with the words: “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) !31 2 Objekttexte

The princely abbey The prince-abbot’s coat of arms Mastif The black mastif with a yellow spiked collar standing against a gold background is the heraldic animal of the county of Toggenburg. In 1468, Abbot Ulrich Rösch (ruled 1463–1491) purchased the county of Toggenburg from the estate of the last Count of Toggenburg for 14,500 gulden. Toggenburg was, to a great extent, a unified territory stretching along the upper reaches of the River Thur from Wildhaus to Uzwil. Thanks to this purchase, the area of the abbey’s territory more than doubled in one fell swoop. !32 0 Objekttexte

The princely abbey The prince-abbot’s coat of arms Tree The fourth quarter of the shield was always occupied by the family crest of the ruling abbot. Here we see the family crest of Prince-Abbot Beda Angehrn (1725–1796, ruled 1767–1796). He was the last-but-one abbot of the Abbey of St Gall. His coat of arms shows a silver triangle against a blue background. Inside the triangle there is a green palm tree standing on a green trimount. The triangle is placed between two golden wings. On the blue band at the top there are three golden stars. !32 8