Ravenna Mosaics II

Now in the Neonian Baptistry, more Arian symbolism, very

early 5th century

A very Roman-looking figure (to me)

All around the middle register of the baptistry, empty chairs

awaiting the new converts, and the four gospels

Now in the duomo museum...a 5th century stone tablet for

calculating Mardi Gras, I mean, Holy Week 

And in the 6th century bishop's private chapel

this most unusual portrayal of Christ as

warrior, carrying the cross as a sword,

treading upon the lion and serpent, symbols

of evil

And now in the Basilica St. Apollinaire Nuovo; the official

church of King Theodoric of the Goths; Christ and perhaps

the four gospel writers, who have sprouted wings; or maybe
just angel body-guards

Another depiction of Jerusalem

Interior of St. Apollinaire Nuova: 6th century, very much in

the fashion of the Roman basilica (town hall, law courts); on

upper register, girls (virgins, proceeding to Mary) on the left

and boys (martyrs proceeding to Jesus) on the right

When Justinian retook Ravenna, he had most of the Arian/

Goth stuff mosaic-ed over; enlarge and look at the white

marble columns and you'll see some stray hands and arms
they missed

And now in the basilica of St. Apollinaire Classe, out by the

camperstop where we parked (free) two nights; Classe is a

couple km from Ravenna; in Roman times it was the great

naval base for the Adriatic; consecrated in 549

Huge mosaic over the apse; no Pantokrator!

St. Apollinaire himself (no relation to Apollo), who brought

Christianity to the area; rancid with Christian symbolism