Scivias

Scivias is a famous illustrated book written by Hildegard von Bingen. She finished this work around the years 1151 or 1152.

The title comes from a Latin phrase that means "Know the Ways of the Lord." It is a very special book because it describes 26 religious visions. Hildegard believed these visions came from the "voice of heaven." She shared what she saw and what she heard. This book was the first of three works she wrote about her visions.

The book is organized into three main parts. These parts reflect the idea of the Trinity. The first part has six visions about creation and the Fall. The second part has seven visions about salvation and the Church. The third part is the largest section. It contains thirteen visions about the coming kingdom of God.

Each vision follows a pattern. Hildegard first describes what she saw. Then she records the explanations she heard. At the end of each vision, she uses a special sentence. These sentences change depending on which part of the book she is writing.

Hildegard began having these visions when she was only five years old. She lived at a place called Disibodenberg for many years. In 1141, when she was 42, she felt a command from God to write. She was a bit afraid to share them at first. She even became ill, which she thought was a sign. A monk named Volmar encouraged her to write everything down. He and a nun named Richardis von Stade helped her. Later, Pope Eugene III gave her permission to publish her writings.

The book is full of beautiful art. It contains 35 miniature illustrations.

Some people think Hildegard helped create these pictures. One drawing shows her sketching on a wax tablet. She might have sketched the outlines of her visions while she spoke. The original book had 235 pages made of parchment. Today, we can see her work in many different places. Some copies are in Oxford and the Vatican Library. A faithful color copy was made at the Hildegard Abbey between 1927 and 1933.

Many people study Scivias to understand the Middle Ages. It is her most widely available book in modern translations. Some thinkers have wondered about the source of her visions. They have suggested they might be linked to migraines. Others have wondered if a plant called ergot played a role. Regardless, her work was very influential. Another writer named Elizabeth of Schönau used it as a model. Scivias even includes 14 songs and a music drama. This drama is known as the Ordo Virtutum. It is one of the earliest morality plays ever known.