Les chevaux colorés de l'« Apocalypse ». II : Commentaires, iconographie et légendes de l'Antiquité au Moyen Age

Abstract

The coloured horses in the "Revelation of John" : Part II : Commentaries, iconographie and legendary sources, from the Antiquity to the Middle Ages Can the Dumezilian interpretation proposed concerning the coloured horses in the "Revelation of John" be somewhat strengh-tened by iconographie sources or later writings ? No suggestion whatsoever can be found in theological commentaries ; but, the illuminations of the Beatus commentaries testify to some Iranian influence, and especially so, in the way the white rider is depicted. And all the iconographie documents related to saint Georges add strength to the point. Legends, too, of Celtic or Germanic origin, demonstrate the Indo-European origin of that theme dealing with coloured horses or horsemen. This theme is deeply rooted into the medieval vision. To wind up the argument, the notions of borrowings and syncretism will be looked into.