20070618 The Citizens of Bethulia Complain about the Lack of Water

20070618 The Citizens of Bethulia Complain about the Lack of Water

ca. 1430 The Citizens of Bethulia Complain about the Lack of Water

What a great piece of art. In consideration to the current challenges in the availability and access to water in Maryland; this art reminds me that the more things change - the more they stay the same.

Azor masters ca. 1430

Art and the Bible

The Citizens of Bethulia Complain about the Lack of Water

illumination (52 × 88 mm) — ca. 1430 Koninklijke Bibliotheek, The Hague

Azor masters biography

Art and the Bible:

Bethulia is situated on high hills and easy to defend against attackers, even if they are 180,000 Assyrians in all. The Assyrian warlord Holophernes decides it is probably smarter to not attack but to cut off the town's water supply.

After several days, thirst strikes. The town inhabitants go to Ozias, ruler of the town, and complain about his unwillingness to negotiate with the Assyrians. Ozias decides to wait a further 5 days – if no divine intervention takes place, he will try to make peace with the Assyrians after all.

This work is linked to Judith 7:13

The story of Judith as mediaeval cartoon (historical Bible):

The return of the delegation | Holophernes burns down a city | The altar is covered | Achior before Holophernes | Liberation of Achior | Shortage of water | Judith takes action | Head in the bag | Judith shows the head | Judith is praised | Holophernes on the wall