Commentary on the Apocalypse and commentary on the Book of Daniel
Purchased by J. Pierpont Morgan (1837-1913) in 1910
Apocalypse: Trumpet VI, Horsemen (Revelation 9:17-19) -- Four horsemen wearing turbans and coats of mail, mounted on lion-headed horses breathing forth fire, and stinging four men with their serpent-tails; below, seven corpses inscribed UBI OCCISA EST TERCIA PARS HOMINUM; starred backgrounds inscribed UBI EQUOS CAPITA SICUT LEONUM ET IGNIS EXIT EX ORE EORUM, based on Revelation 09:17.
And I saw the horses in the vision. And the horsemen had breastplates of fire, hyacinth, and sulfur. And the heads of the horses were like the heads of lions. And from their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur. And one-third part of men was slain by these three afflictions. For the power of these horses is in their mouths and tails. Their tails resemble serpents, and it is the heads that cause harm. And the men who were not slain by these afflictions did not repent from the works of their hands, from worshiping demons or idols, or from their murders, drugs, fornications, and thefts. (Rev. 9:17–21)
This miniature supplies the horsemen with turbans, which usually designate Muslims or Moors. For Beatus, however, the horsemen represent false Christians and demon spirits. The naked corpses at bottom represent the one-third of humanity slain.