where the body of Jesus had been, there were two men in dazzling clothes. One of them

spoke and told the women: "Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who

was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said..."82 According to Reau,

up to the 13th century, the Visitation of the Three Maries to the Sepulchre was used as an

indirect allusion to the Resurrection of Christ.83 Another element that needs further

discussion is the presence of the soldiers in front of the Sepulchre. The soldiers are

ignored by every Evangelist, except Matthew who wrote: "for fear of him (an angel) the

guards shook and became like dead men."84 The introduction of the guards into the

legend and the iconography of the Three Maries at the Tomb has an apologetic function.

Their presence was used to refute the accusation made by the Jews who insinuated that

the cadaver of Christ had been removed from the tomb by His disciples in secrecy."

 In the first register of folio CCCXXIIII v, the three Maries are approaching the

sepulchre carrying ointment j ars. All of them point in amazement at the entrance of the

sepulchre. Instead of a cave, the sepulchre is identified by two turrets and three horseshoe

arches. Underneath the first arch there are four Roman soldiers, who wear conical

helmets and are holding swords and shields in their hands. According to Rodriguez

Velasco, the uniform and the weapons used by the soldiers are anachronistic. The

uniform is not that of a Roman Legionary, but that of the men-at-arms of the Crusades. 86


82 Matthew 28:5.

83 Reau, L., Iconoguraphie de l'Art Chretien, 1957, pp. 540-542.

84 Matthew 28:4.

ssReau, L., Iconoguraphie de l'Art Chretien, 1957, p. 549.

86 Rodriguez Velasco, M., "Iconografia del Nuevo Testamento en la Biblia de
Avila,"l999, pp. 362.