Notes

all the while listening to gossip, the two long tongues represent snakes, the red color of the claws represents blood.
(Nordenfalk, 1975: 285 - 286) 64 Kungliga Biblioteket - National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, “Codex Gigas - Decorations”,
http://www.kb.se/codex-gigas/eng/Long/description/Decoration/ (26 February 2013) 65 Same (26 February 2013) 66 Same (28 February 2013) 67 Devil's Bible darkest secrets explaind, directed by Julie Nelson, National Geographic, 2008. 68 Ibid.

Figure 3 Heavenly Jerusalem, fol. 289v.
Figure 4 Devil, fol. 290р.



2.6. Calendar
One of the more important elements of the Codex is its calendar, which consists of 12 months. That
to better explain the very role of the calendar in the manuscript, the transcription of the month would be used
January. (See Figure 5 and transcription).

The dating of the day in the calendar is based on the dating taken from the Romans (mos
Romanus). By this the days of the month are dated by counting how far they are from one of the three
orientation days - Kalenda, Nona and Ida.69In general, dating and the division of time into
certain units, was based on the motion of celestial bodies. This included the Sun, the Earth and
The Moon.70 The Moon was important to the Codex calendar.

The Roman calendar consisted of three elements (kalenda, nona and ida). Calendars make up the first day in
month and are marked with the abbreviation "KL". None is the fifth day in all months except March,
May, July and October when they are the seventh day. In the Codex, they are abbreviated as "N". Ide
fall on the 13th day of the month, except in March, May, July and October, when they fall on the 15th In
the manuscript is abbreviated "ID". The day before Kalend was called "pridie Kalendas", and the same
valid for None and Ide ("pridie Nonas" and "pridie Idus"). Numbers written in gold (from I
to XIX) mark the beginning of the date of the new month, and thus that part of the calendar served for
study of the lunar cycle.71 To the right of the golden numbers are the so-called Litterae
Hebdomadales72, the letters used along with the numbers to calculate the date
Easter.73 What is noticed in the calendar is the dating by feasts. Every day
a different number of saints are recorded. For example, in January we celebrate the feast of St. Ivana
Chrysostom (Iohannus episcopus Chrysostomus) falling on the 27th day of the month, then
martyr Anthony, which is celebrated on the 17th day. Along with the saints are the names of various popes. That's right
the feast of Pope Marcellus is celebrated on the 16th, and of Pope Melciadis on the 10th day of the month. Along with the usual ones
festivals, the calendar also lists the festivals of local Czech saints who are mostly
celebrated in the area (Example - St. Wenceslas, or St. Wenceslas). On every page


69 Stipišić, 1985: 187 70 Ibid., 185 71 Although these numbers indicate the new moon, they do not always have an exact sequence (Kungliga Biblioteket - Nacionalna
Library of Sweden, Stockholm, “Codex Gigas- Calendar”, http://www.kb.se/codexgigas/eng/Long/texter/calender/ (18 February 2013)) 72 Miličević, 1990: 29 73 Kungliga Biblioteket - National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, "Codex Gigas - Calendar",
http://www.kb.se/codex-gigas/eng/Long/texter/calender/ (March 9, 2013)

of the calendar there are words that introduce the Mass, and next to them stand musical records. Their function
it is not entirely clear, but is thought to have been used for Sunday Masses.74

An important item of the calendar is the obituary, ie the list of deceased members of the parish community or
some of the more important persons of that period. It is a rare occurrence that there is an obituary in the calendar as well
is therefore very important in this manuscript. After the list of saints, for each day minuscule
(in small letters) the names of the deceased are written. For example, Milon, Neroda, Vlastena recorded
are January 5th. Every day of the month there is a certain number of deceased who are subsequently enrolled
after the saints.75 The obituary itself played an important role in the later Czech medieval
history. Inside fol. 305v.-311р. 1,539 names were recorded. Along with some names, the social one is also inscribed
the status of that person.76 An example is the Zpitigneus dux77 recorded on 29 January. It should be noted as
the obituary itself did not form the original part of the manuscript but belonged to an unknown elder
the manuscript from which it was also copied.78

74 Kungliga Biblioteket - National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, "Codex Gigas - Has it ever been used?",
http://www.kb.se/codex-gigas/eng/Long/#Was Codex Gigas ever used? (April 28, 2013) 75 Kungliga Biblioteket - National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, "Codex Gigas - Calendar",
http://www.kb.se/codex-gigas/eng/Long/texter/calender/ (18 February 2013) 76 Kungliga Biblioteket - National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, “Codex Gigas - Obituary”,
http://www.kb.se/codex-gigas/eng/Long/texter/calender/Necrology/ (March 21, 2013) 77 This shows that Zpitigneus was a prince. 78 Kungliga Biblioteket - National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, “Codex Gigas - Obituary”,
http://www.kb.se/codex-gigas/eng/Long/texter/calender/Necrology/ (March 12, 2013)

Figure 5 The month of January in the Codex calendar, fol. 305v.

January
Moon has 31 days 30
3 first of January CIRCUMCISION AND THE basille Odiloni
CONFESSORIS 1 Pribizlauus. Marquart. Blasius. Jscizlaus. Voyteh. Mark.
Sobotka. Jana.
B 4 NONES OF OCTOBER OF ST STEPHEN PROTOHEREMITE 3 Voyteh.
Crasson. Jscizlaua. Marek. Plugaua
11 100 3 October, St. Genevieve IOHANIS APOSTOLi
MARY 3 John. Janus. Krassota. John. Bozelze. Perhta.
500 2 St. Innocent on October 3 Adam canon.
Ianek. Bribizlaua. Radosti. Cernicus.
19 E NONES simeonis MARTYR THELESPORI PAPE vigilli Gregory
brother. Hual. Mödl. Paulec. Milon. Nerodia. Vlastena. Deuula. Bozehna.
8 F 8 IDES OF THE EPIPHANY Predmir. Preduoy. Virus priest. Hotezlau.
Piuone. Gamliel
G 7 IDES Luciani martyrdom clerus cleric DEACON (yes!)
Karel. Milega. Stan. Dobremil. Ianik. Bolehna. Gelenium.
A 6 IDES SEVERINI OF THE BISHOP AND THE 16 CONFESSORIS Dobremil. Gosteg. Nerad.
Dragouen. Quetana. Voyzlaua.
5 B 5 IDES Ivliana and Basilissa MARTYRIUM Frum. Vecek. Modlibog.
100 4 PAVLI IDES OF INITIAL heremitis melciadis PAPE 3 Brecizlawus leader.
Perarc count. Vitek. D. Free. Rask.
13 500 3 IDES Peter, Severus, LEVICII Neusir.
2 E 2 IDES Satĭra martiras Archadie martyrdom Groznata. Wratizlaus leader.
Vbizlaua. Agnes. Petrusse. Otto soldier. Crnata.
F on October Epiphany HYLARII OF Antony
dean. Sdezlaus. Quetana. Bratrumila.
10 G 19 January FELICIS PRESBITERI 3 Arnolti. Mogek.
Oldrih. Quassena.
A 18 KALENDS MAVRI Abba Macarius Srstena. Boguza.
Dobrouest. Siznaua.
18 B 17 KALENDS MARCELII PAPE 3 Miley. TRACE. Hualac. Gostac.
Krecota. Zuoybog. Dlugomil. Mizlek.
7 100 16 KALENDS ANTONII MARTYRII 3 vstal. Peter. Drasco. Lutsse.
Pribizlauec. Cuben. Jurik. Marena. Milohna.
500 15 KALENDS BEFORE THE VIRGIN AND MARTYR Vladizlaus leader.
Sdezlaua. Vracen. Quassen. Bilec. Voyzlaua.
15 E 14 KALENDS GERMANICI Potentianam MARTYR MARTYR
Roman priest and monk. Polek. Ruthardt priest. and a monk.
Fabian and Sebastian, MARTYRDOM, Fridericus 4 C 13 KALENDAS
Abbot. John. Milic count.
G 12 KALENDS Virgin and Martyr Agnes Zbizlaus. Iacta.
Mileysi. Poorly. Bogunka. Iacta.
12 A 11 KALENDAS Vincent, martyr Vrban. D. Free. SEN Sdaua. Zoreni.
Quetana. Nedelka. Jurene. Radouan.
1 B 10 KALENDS Emerentiane VIRGIN AND MARTYR Jane. Trebao.
Perhta. Batel. Vecek.
100 9 KALENDS TIMOTHEI APOSTOLi 3 Milosta it. n. Malec. Nauoy
count. Vlassin. Bogusse. Thomik. Anna.
9 500 8 KALENDS beating PAVLI APOSTOLI Pilunk count. Bolemil.
Dobka. Strezizlaua. Vracena.
E 7 KALENDS policarpus OF Radozlauus. Haia. Mark. Radohna.
Mass monk. Vratiuoy. Mutissek. Rihoc.
17 F 6 KALENDS Bishop John Chrysostom Boguzlauus count.
Petrecere. Martin. Zudka. Gostsa. Seber. Malice. Vecka.
6 G 5 3 KALENDS AGNETIS Second, Ben. Vratisir. Vrati. Otronia.
Zpitigneus leader. Protiuoy.
A 3 KALENDS bishop Valerius 3 BDA. Suecek priest.
14 B 3 KALENDS ypoliti martyrdom MATHIE OF ALDEGVNDIS
Mary Gregory priest. Janik. Gostek. Sdizlaua. Dobrena.
100 2 KALENDS spilling through martyrdom and martyrdom of watching BISHOP
James is a priest. Liudmila. Bolehna.79

79 In transcription, obituary (written in lower case) taken from Kungliga Biblioteket - Nacionalna
Library of Sweden, Stockholm, “Codex Gigas - Transcribed Necrology”, http://www.kb.se/codexgigas/eng/Long/texter/calender/Transcribed-Necrology/ (March 7, 2013)



3. The legend of the origin of the Codex

The legend of the origin of the Codex is linked to the monk Hermannus who was convicted of
by his Benedictine brethren for the grievous sin he had committed. He should have been for punishment
alive walled up. So he tried to make a deal with his brothers, promising that one night
write a book that will celebrate the entire Benedictine order, and in return he will not be punished.
His brothers agreed to the settlement and he began to write. Around midnight Hermannus realized
that he would fail to write a book and that death was getting closer and closer to him. That's why he decided
to ask for help from the Devil which manifested itself through the fact that the Devil promised him help in writing
books, and in return asked for his soul. The devil agreed and helped the monk finish
book and as a thank you Hermannus drew a large picture of the Devil within the book itself. On such
way, he escaped the death penalty and in addition made a book of enormous size.80


No matter what the legend describes how the Codex came into being, it can’t be said that it did then either
created. The legend has been created for centuries and has been influenced by many factors. So I will
try to explain what real events influenced the Codex and create the very legend of it.

Before the Codex was moved to Prague, it was located in the monastery in Podlažice near the so-called
of the black Benedictines81 where it most probably originated.82 This monastery in the late 13th century hit
economic difficulties, and the Benedictines sold it to the monastery of the "gray monks" 83
in
I'll sit down. The Codex did not stay long with the latter, and was returned to the early 14th century
monastery in Podlažice. At the end of the 13th century, the area of ​​the Czech lands was hit by a severe plague. They died
tens of thousands of people, and the Codex was blamed for all the evil caused by the plague.
84

In the second half of the 16th century, more precisely in 1575, Rudolf II. (1552-1612), emperor of the Holy Roman
Empire, be crowned King of Bohemia. He was a ruler who is believed to have been more concerned with science and
by occult research than he reigned. Michel de Nostradame (Nostradamus),
French writer and astrologer, mid-16th century. for Rudolf he made a horoscope in which he is
predicted the death of Rudolf's father Maximilian II. and his ascension to the throne of the Holy Roman


80 Compare: (Boldan, 2007: 19-20) and (Devil's Bible darkest secrets explaind, directed by Julie Nelson, National
Geographic, 2008) 81 The Benedictines in the monastery in Podlažice wore black habit and were therefore called "black Benedictines".
(Boldan, 2007: 62) 82 It is not known exactly where the Codex originated, but the most plausible theory is that it was written in a monastery in
Pads. (Boldan, 2007: 28) 83 “Gray monks” are considered to be Cistercians who wore a gray habit. (Boldan, 2007: 75) 84 Devil's Bible darkest secrets explaind, directed by Julie Nelson, National Geographic, 2008.

Empires. That prophecy was the initiator of Rudolf's obsession with the occult.
85 Since he was
an avid collector, he owned a collection of works of art better known as Rudolphinische
Art and beauty room. It contained a large number of paintings, decorations, and large objects
values.86 As he was fascinated by the occult, he tried to come up with any book that
associated with it. That is why in 1594 he borrowed the Codex Gigas himself, and so did he
became part of Rudolf’s collection.87 Rudolf’s obsession with the occult after research
Codex just got stronger. He hired many translators to deal with the book, and so did he
spent a lot of time finding and discovering the secrets of the Codex and its images of the Devil, which is
resulted in the end of his reign Rudolf completely lost his mind. He became
paranoid, and was unable to stay in power. Since he had no male heir,
he was replaced by his brother Matthias.88 Very soon after his departure from the throne, Rudolf II. died, and is on
The Thirty Years' War (1618-1648) began in Europe 89. In the middle of that war, Sweden
had the most success and spread to the middle of Europe. In a military raid, the Swedes entered
Threshold and robbed him. Along with a large amount of stolen loot, they took the Codex with them
Gigas who has remained in Sweden since then.90 The Codex Mystery
it continues in Sweden as well. Namely, on May 7, 1697, a fire broke out in the Royal Castle in
Stockholm, which also covered the premises of his library. One third of the library burned down
books, mostly of a medical nature.91 Along with them, the fire engulfed the Codex itself
Gigas, and the image of the Devil that was in it. The painting did not burn but remained on it alone
a black soot imprint as proof that she had been caught in the fire.

Aside from the facts that speak to the bad events that happened to the people who came in
contact with the Codex, it is interesting to look at those of a theological and palaeographic character.
For example, the question arises as to why a monk in a codex, which contains Scripture,
he also painted a picture of the Devil. Nowhere in the world are there manuscripts and books in which together with
we can find a picture of the Devil in biblical texts.92 This fact certainly contributed

85 Ibid.
86 Kungliga Biblioteket - National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, „Codex Gigas - Rudolf Collection
art ”, http://www.kb.se/codex-gigas/eng/Long/handskriftens/rudolf-ii/#A spectacular collection (3.
April 2013)
87 Although Rudolf borrowed the Codex from the monks, he never returned it to them. (Kungliga Library -
National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, "Codex Gigas - Rudolf's Art Collection",
http://www.kb.se/codex-gigas/eng/Long/handskriftens/rudolf-ii/#A spectacular collection (April 3, 2013)) 88 Devil's Bible darkest secrets explaind, directed by Julie Nelson, National Geographic, 2008. 89 Tryntje Helferich, The Thirty Years War: A Documentary History, (Indianapolis: Hackett Publishing
Company, Inc, 2009), IX 90 Devil's Bible darkest secrets explaind, directed by Julie Nelson, National Geographic, 2008. 91 Kungliga Biblioteket - National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, "Codex Gigas - Castle Fire",
http://www.kb.se/codex-gigas/eng/Long/handskriftens/castle-fire/ (April 4, 2013) 92 Devil's Bible darkest secrets explaind, directed by Julie Nelson, National Geographic, 2008.


realizing that Satan was also involved in the emergence of the Codex. The position of the picture itself is also interesting
The devil that is next to the image of the Heavenly Jerusalem. The researchers came to the conclusion that the picture
Heavenly Jerusalem and the Devil are found opposite each other for the reason that the Codex closes,
one gets the impression that these images depict the struggle between good and evil.93

Looking at the text from the palaeographic side, it is noticed that it contains almost none
linguistic and written errors. It is also interesting how the words are written very correctly and neatly
and one gets the impression that the manuscript was written with the help of a machine or something supernatural, and not human
hands.94 It is known that monks constantly wrote and transcribed books and that after someone
time well rehearsed writing, but it is hard to believe that one person without any mistakes
can write a book of this size.95

All the mentioned events - the economic difficulties of the monastery in which the Codex was located,
great plague, wars, robberies, fires, Rudolf's loss of reason, perfection of letters and pictures
The devils created a legend that made Codex notorious throughout its history. For
all these events people blamed on the book, that is, the Devil who created it according to legend. Picture
The devil began to doubt the involvement of the supernatural, and other events only strengthened her.

While these facts give the impression that the legend is real, they can still be to some extent
to kill. It is true that bad things happened near the book, but it must be borne in mind that it did
the medieval period was very turbulent, and that diseases, wars, and robberies were
everyday.96 Codex himself cannot be blamed for Rudolf's obsession. He is even earlier than that
came in contact with the manuscript was fascinated by the occult, so the Codex could only amplify
his obsession. It is not uncommon for a man to obsessively engage in something and become himself
mentally unstable. In psychology, there is a term "prophecy that is in itself
achieves ”. It occurs when we expect something good or bad to happen, and we do it
we begin to behave in such a way that our expectations are met. This usually happens unconsciously, without
of our conscious influence.97 It can be assumed that this fact influenced Rudolf.
Since he deeply believed in supernatural and occult things, it is possible that he unconsciously expected it
bad events, which caused the loss of reason. Therefore, it can be assumed that
the loss of reason cannot be caused by Codex or any other subject, but that it is
Rudolf himself, on an unconscious level, created a situation that eventually led to the complete


93 Same.
94 Ibid.
95 Here it can be seen that the scriptor wrote the Codex with great respect. 96 Devil's Bible darkest secrets explaind, directed by Julie Nelson, National Geographic, 2008. 97 Majda Rijavec, Miracles Still Happen, Psychology of Positive Thinking, third edition, (Zagreb: IEP, 2000),
106


loss of common sense. The fire in Stockholm Castle was large and engulfed the Codex,
causing awe at the image of the Devil which remained almost undamaged. Still, it has to
keep in mind that the servants in the castle managed to save the codex in time, so the fire did not even
could do more damage. 98

98 Compare: Kungliga Biblioteket - National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, “Codex Gigas - Castle Fire”,
http://www.kb.se/codex-gigas/eng/Long/handskriftens/castle-fire/ (April 4, 2013) and Devil's Bible darkest
secrets explaind, directed by Julie Nelson, National Geographic, 2008.



4. Purpose of the Codex
Observing all the characteristics of the manuscript, from its size to its weight, and all his
parts, the question arises as to why the Codex was written and whether it was ever used.

Flipping through the foil shows that it is difficult to read. The reason for this is not an illegible handwriting, but
lowercase letters on a page 890 x 490 mm in diameter.
99 Zdeněk Uhliř the best
described Codex as “a book without natural readers.” 100 But regardless of the problems
related to reading it is evident that the Codex was also used. On several of its pages it can be
see that the Latin word nota is written in the margins (from lat. nota bene)
101. Since they are in
he found the Rules of St. Benedict (subsequently extracted) and the Bible, it can be assumed that
these parts were often used for prayer and Mass purposes102. Texts by Josephus and Isidore
Seville's texts were well known, and were often transcribed and read. Then, there are the
medical texts that were probably used in cases of disease treatment.103

Jaroslav Kolar put forward the thesis that the Codex is an artifact with a double symmetric
by a composition that revolves around the Old and New Testaments.104 On the one hand, there is the Old Testament
and with it the texts of Josephus, Isidore of Seville and medical texts, and on the other hand
The New Testament and with it the text of confession and invocation, images of the Heavenly Jerusalem and the Devil,
Kosmas, and a calendar with an obituary.

Zdeněk Uhliř put forward two theories about the purpose of using the Codex. The first tells how the Codex
used as well as books of magic and alchemy. This theory is supported by the fact that within the manuscript
find texts on magic and exorcism.
105 The second theory suggests that Codex should not be laughed at
look at it as a book used for study and research, it already needs to be viewed from
perspectives of book lovers. According to her, books are a kind of artifact and they are on them
exclusively appreciates the aesthetic appearance. They should be aesthetically beautiful and decorated, create curiosity,
be private, intimate and unique. Codex Gigas in this case satisfies all the conditions.106 I
therefore, the purpose of the Codex lies in its aesthetic meaning. However, of all the allegations of Z.
Uhliř considers that one allegation cannot be said to refer to the Codex, which is that it is private and

99 Although there are large books that contain the Bible (the so-called Riesenbibeln), the diameter of their pages is less than
The codex and font of the letters is larger so they are still easier to read. (Boldan, 2007: 18) 100 Boldan, 2007: 18 101 Kungliga Biblioteket - National Library of Sweden, Stockholm, "Codex Gigas - Has it ever been used?",
http://www.kb.se/codex-gigas/eng/Long/#Was Codex Gigas ever used? (March 23, 2013) 102 Same (March 23, 2013) 103 Same (March 23, 2013) 104 Boldan, 2007: 30 105 Same, 19 106 Same.


intimate. According to him, it is hard to believe that such a great book was written with the aim of
be private, and especially intimate, 107 taking into account the fact that the books are in the middle
century were written for the purpose of being used by a larger number of people. But this theory is not necessarily accurate.
Inside the Codex is a detailed text of the confession. The text is very private and intimate108 and would be difficult
was to say that it was made for someone who did not belong to the Benedictine order of the person who made it
written. The confessions in it are described in great detail and contain the sins of the priest
sinned by thought, and with every sin written he accuses and blames himself. After the text
Confession contains a picture of the Heavenly Jerusalem, which together with him very likely
metaphorically depicts the path of a monk (sinner) to Paradise. On the other hand, they are in the Codex
texts on exorcism, and magical formulas that protected a person from evil. It is possible for them
assume that they also served as the author of the manuscript. Therefore, all of the above indicates that it is a code
originated as a monk’s penance.109

Since little is generally known about Codex and its purpose, not all theories about it can be in
fully justify, but equally neither refute. Until finding a stronger proof no
it can be known with certainty why it was created and for what purposes it was used.

107 Isto. 108 Nordenfalk, 1975: 290 109 Devil's Bible darkest secrets explaind, redateljica Julie Nelson, National Geographic, 2008.



5. Conclusion
Codex Gigas, The Devil's Bible, perhaps one of the most mysterious manuscripts ever written,
it has attracted attention since the Middle Ages. He created with his greatness and legend
is a significant impression in the history of the peoples who possessed it. Whether that impression is positive or not
negative, it affected people’s lives and built the story that surrounded the manuscript. His
the texts are of a different character and each part played an important role, and most of them are still in use
from the period of antiquity. These texts have been translated for centuries and much is already known about them, but
within the Codex there are texts that are unique, that do not appear in any of them
another manuscript. Some of them have not yet been transcribed or translated, so they provide
possibility of further research and study.

The legend that binds in Codex, and which has been created for centuries, has contributed the most to the importance
of the manuscript itself, rather than its contents. When all the facts and evidence related to
Codex to assume is that supernatural powers also influenced its emergence, but with
from a scientific point of view this seems impossible. The manuscript is huge, almost perfectly written,
but as unique as it may seem, it is much more likely to have been made by a human hand than
The devil. It is difficult to fathom the reasons that led one monk to write a code of such
dimension since the manuscript does not contain information about the person who wrote it. It's possible
to assume that it was his penance or perhaps simply his wish. Yet everything remains
only on assumptions until the moment when evidence will be found that will provide a more detailed picture
about what was going on inside the monastery itself where the largest handwritten book was written
Worldwide.



6. Thanks
I thank the mentor doc. dr. sc. Branka Grbavac for her help and patience in making it
of this paper. I thank her for patiently listening to all my theories and conclusions, and for being
helped in a lot more ways than I expected. My heartfelt thanks to Dr. sc. Zrinki
Pešordi Vardić, Ph.D. Marko Jerković for helping with reading and correcting the work.
I would also like to thank Dr. sc. Franjo Šanjek, Ph.D. Darijo Tokić, and professor Ana Boban at
help with finding literature. And finally, I would like to thank my family and friends for being
we were a constant moral support



7. References
1. Boldan, Kamil. CG: the secrets of the world's largest book. Prague: National Library of
the Czech Republic, 2007.
2. Codex Sinaiticus. "The Importance of the Oldest Bible."
http://codexsinaiticus.org/en/codex/significance.aspx (May 1, 2013)
3. Nordenfalk, Carl. „Heaven and Hell in a Bohemian Bible of The Early Thirteenth
Century. The Year 1200: A symposium. New York: Metropolitan Museum of Art, 1975.
http://books.google.com/books?id=1RIAeAMUJywC&pg=PA283&lpg=PA283&dq=carl+norde
nfalk + heaven + and + hell
4. National Geographic. Tales of the Weird, Codex Gigas.
http://newswatch.nationalgeographic.com/tag/codex-gigas/ (May 1, 2013)
4. Stipišić, Jakov. Auxiliary historical sciences in theory and practice. Zagreb: Školska knjiga,
1985
6. Devil's Bible darkest secrets explaind. directed by Julie Nelson. National Geographic, 2008.
7. Kungliga Biblioteket - National Library of Sweden, Stockholm. Codex Gigas.
http://www.kb.se/codex-gigas/eng/ (May 1, 2013)
7. Nazor, Anica. A book on the Croatian Glagolitic alphabet, "I know the letter knowing ...". Zagreb: Erasmus
edition, 2008
8. Tomić, Celestin. Access to the Bible, general introduction to Scripture. Zagreb: Provincijalat franjevaca
Conventuals, 1986.
10. Wright, J. Edward. Baruch ben Neriah, From Biblical Scribe to Apocaliptic Seer.
Columbia: University of South Carolina, 2003.
11. Whiston, William, prev. The Complete Works of Flavius ​​Joshephus. London: T. Nelson
and sons, Paternoster Row, 1860.
12. Barney, Stephen A., etc. The Etymologies of Isidore of Seville Cambridge: Cambridge
University Press, 2006.
12. Burnett, Charles. Constantine the African and Ali ibn al-Abbas al Magusi: the Pantegni
and related texts. Leiden: E.J. Brill, 1994.
13. Kieckhefer, Richard. Magic in the Middle Ages. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,
1990.
15. The Bible. Zagreb: Kršćanska sadašnjost, 2006.
15. Miličević, Marina. Roman calendar. Zagreb: Latina et Graeca, 1990.
16. Helferich, Tryntje. The Thirty Years War: A Documentary History. Indianapolis: Hackett
Publishing Company, Inc., 2009.
17. Rijavec, Majda. Miracles do happen though, the psychology of positive thinking. third edition,
Zagreb: IEP, 2000.




Ivan Badanjak
Codex Gigas - The Devil's Bible Mystery
Codex Gigas is a medieval manuscript created in the early 13th century in the Czech lands.
Due to the large dimensions of the pages and the weight of 75 kg, it received the title of the largest handwritten
books in the world. The codex contains a transcript of the entire Bible, historical and medical texts,
a calendar with an obituary, and large illuminated images. According to legend, it is believed to have originated
during one night after the scriptor sold his soul to the Devil. That's why he got the manuscript
the name "Devil's Bible." Since the legend has been created for centuries, this paper will talk about how
are and why different events influenced its emergence, questions will be answered as to why it is
Codex written and has ever been used. Inside the work is also a transcription of the moon
January, made for the purpose of clarifying the role of the calendar itself and its obituary. Work
shows the connection between the Czech and Croatian areas, which is evident from the alphabets
the Glagolitic alphabet found within the manuscript itself. Since little is known about Codex, this paper
it was written with the aim of encouraging further scientific research of this valuable manuscript.

Keywords: Codex Gigas, Middle Ages, Czech Republic, Sweden, cultural history



Ivan Badanjak
Codex Gigas – Mystery of „The Devil's Bible“
Summary

Codex Gigas is medieval manuscript originated from the early 13th century in Bohemian
region. Due to the large dimensions of its pages and weight of 165 pounds (75 kg), it got the
title of the largest hand-written book in the world. It contains a whole copy of the Bible,
historical and medical texts, calendar with necrology and large illuminated images. According
to the legend, manuscript was written during one single night, after writer sold his soul to the
Devil. Because of that, manuscript got the name „The Devil's Bible“. Regarding the fact that
the legend has been created for centuries, in this article author will show how and why
different events affected it and try to answer the question for what purpose the Codex was
written and was it ever used. In the article author gave the transcription of the calendar, e.g of
the month January, and the explanation of its use. The article shows relationship between the
regions of Bohemia and Croatia, which can be seen in glagolitic alphabet, which is inserted
into the manuscript. Since little is known about the Codex, this article will provide
information that will encourage further research of this valuable manuscript.

Key words: Codex Gigas, the Middle Ages,, Bohemia, Sweden, cultural history