As you know, the central tympanum of Vezelay depicts (although there is
still some discussion on this matter) a triple program of Christ's
Ascension, Pentecost and Mission of the Apostles.
One of the archivolts (or lintel: I am describing by heart) depicts
some of the races which the Apostle have to convert to Chrsitianity;
among them one can see the cynocephali, "men" with dog's head (something
to do with Anubis?).
C. W. Bynum (_The Resurrection of the Body_, plate, 18) presents a
curious German illustration of Psalm 17, 5 (Circunderunt me doloris
mortis...): The miniature is divided into two registers: in the lower
one some dead are rising to join the Last Judgment, which occura in the
upper one: Christ seats in His throne, holding two philacteries (Venite
/ Ite). Among the blessed ones one can see two cynocephali, being all
the damned cinocephali too.
I do not know if I am going to far but, could be any relation beetween
the Mission and the presence of these "marvels of the East" in the Last
Judgment? I have not it handy, but remember that J. Friedman
(_Monstruous races_) gives the reproduction of a miniature depicting the
Pentecost with the Apostles and a cynocephalus
Best Regards
Carlos
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