The Oracles of Leo the Wise

A full-page manuscript illustration depicts a fortified maritime city or castle under siege or observation. The city is enclosed by a high, light-brown defensive wall with crenellations and a central arched gateway accessible by steps leading down toward the water.

Within the walls is a dense cluster of buildings of varying heights and architectural styles, including several with prominent blue-tiled domes and others with red-pitched roofs. Various flags fly from the towers; several green and red flags feature yellow or gold crosses, while a tall mast on the right flies a yellow pennant with a crescent moon.

In the center of the city, positioned prominently atop one of the buildings, is a large golden chalice or platter. Inside it sits a severed head wearing a white turban.

The foreground depicts a vast blue sea filled with four organized groups of many-masted ships. Each group contains numerous vessels with distinctive tall, rectangular red sails, with a few sails in green interspersed. The ships are oriented towards the left, except for those in the lower-right quadrant which face right.