DOCSLIB.ORG

RAVENNA BYZANTINE GLORIES Ravenna Mosaics and Churches

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
RAVENNA BYZANTINE GLORIES Ravenna Mosaics and Churches The Temple Gallery in association with ETR, Lausanne, Switzerland 17th – 22nd November 2016 REVISED ITINERARY JUST RAVENNA BYZANTINE GLORIES Ravenna Mosaics and Churches Empress Theodora wife of Justinian the Great. Mosaic portrait in the Church of San Vitale, 6th century Revised Itinerary for the Temple Gallery Just to Ravenna 17th - 22nd November, 2016 £1,600 Thursday 17th November: London BA 0540 dep. 08.40 to Bologna arr. 11.45 then by coach (2/3 hours) to Ravenna Byron Hotel 18th Friday: Orthodox Baptistry; Archiepiscopal Chapel (Dante’s Tomb); Arian Baptistry; Basilica di Sant'Apollinare Nuovo 19th Saturday: Mausoleum of Galla Placidia; Basilica of San Vitale; Antiquities Museum 20th Sunday: Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe; Tomb of Theodoric. National Museum of Ravenna (includes a collection of icons). 21st Monday: San Giovanni Evangelista (426 AD. 13th-century mosaics depicting the Crusades). Church of St. Eufemia, recently discovered important archaeological site comprising 14 rooms paved in colourful marble mosaics of a private 5-6th century Byzantine building. 22nd Tuesday, return to London ‘The average western European reader may have a fairly clear (if not entirely accurate) picture in his mind of ancient Rome; but where Byzantium is concerned – about which, in this country at least, there seems always to have been a conspiracy of silence – he has always remained a little vague.’ So writes John Julius Norwich in his introduction to the Penguin edition of Robert Graves’ Count Belisarius. The trip we are planning here will go a long way to dispel that vagueness. My own lifetime of study has convinced me that seeing ourselves - situated in what we call the ‘history of western civilisation’ - is somewhat flat until we include a third dimension; namely, Byzantium. Without Byzantium there would have been no Orthodox culture in Russia and no Renaissance in Europe. In fact, as we shall see, from the 5th century and for the next thousand years, Italy was intimately bound up with Constantinople; Ravenna and Sicily, at different times, being part of the Byzantine Empire. We may begin to see this in perspective as we experience the wonders, miraculously preserved, of Byzantine art concentrated in Ravenna and Sicily, while Venice ‘the hinge of Europe’ connects us to the religious, artistic and intellectual supremacy of Constantinople. Today our social issues are churned in the mill of politics and economics whereas in Byzantium theology and religion were the energies that galvanised all levels of society. The forces poured into the creation of churches and mosaics in Ravenna and Sicily flowed from the highest spiritual, philosophical and artistic aspirations of that creative age. They can still energise us and provide us with insights into the great truths that Galla Placidia and people like her sought to understand and live by. Ravenna O lone Ravenna! many a tale is told Of thy great glories in the days of old: Two thousand years have passed since thou didst see Caesar ride forth to royal victory.” ( Ravenna, Oscar Wilde’s 1878 Newdigate Prize-winning poem) “Of all the cities in Romanian lands, The chief, and most renowned, Ravenna stands, Adorned in ancient times with arms and arts, And rich inhabitants, with generous hearts.” (The Divine Comedy, Inferno, 1320 by Dante Alighieri) …‘unequalled collection of early Christian mosaics.’ (Italian Hours, 1909 by Henry James) Built as a naval port by the Emperor Augustus in the first century, Ravenna later became the pivot between Byzantium, or the Eastern Roman Empire, and the Western Roman Empire of which it was the capital after the fall of Rome in 410. In the 5th century it came under the rule of Theodoric the Great, one of history’s most fascinating characters. Theodoric, the great Ostrogothic general, had a privileged childhood in the imperial court at Constantinople. A brilliant and ruthless soldier, he regained Italy from the failing Western Empire dominated at the time by the Goths. He ruled from Ravenna, where his mausoleum survives, together with several churches he had decorated with mosaics. Like most of the Germanic tribes Theodoric followed Arian Christianity and this is reflected in the details of some mosaic decorations. Although Arianism was considered a heresy by the Orthodox, both forms co-existed peaceably during his reign. After Theodoric’s death Ravenna returned to Byzantium and eventually was the capital of the Kingdom of Lombardy. Eight early Christian monuments of Ravenna are inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Orthodox Baptistry or Baptistry of Neon The oldest surviving monument (and all that survives of the Orthodox Cathedral demolished in 1733) in Ravenna built, circa 400. Called the Orthodox Baptistry to distinguish it from the Arian Baptistry built fifty years later by Theodoric. Named after Bishop Neon who presided over its construction. Carl Jung wrote of a visionary experience when he was here in 1930 by which Galla Placidia was related with his personal anima. Archiepiscopal Chapel This tiny oratory contains the highly unusual image of Christ dressed as a warrior trampling on a lion and a snake. Possibly an expression of anti-Arian views, circa 500 Mosaic of St Paul, 6th cent. Archiepiscopal Museum Ivory Throne of Archbishop Maximian, 6th cent. Mausoleum of Galla Placidia The Good Shepherd, early 5th c, mosaic still in the ‘naturalistic’ or Hellenistic style of early Christianity. Byzantine iconography would soon avoid, for example, the contraposto of the central figure. Aelia Galla Placidia (388 – 450), a fastidious, highly educated devout Orthodox Christian, was related through family or by marriage to six Roman Emperors and two Barbarian Kings and, from the age of nine, was a major force in state politics. She was the daughter of Theodosius I, (379 – 395) the last emperor to rule over the whole of the Roman Empire and the granddaughter of Valentinian I. She ruled as Regent for Valentinian III from 423 until his majority in 437. She was consort to Ataulf, King of the Goths from 414 until his death in 415, and briefly Empress consort to Constantius III in 421. She was also sister of the Emperors in the West Honorius and Arcadius. Placidia sponsored the restoration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem and built numerous churches. Arian Baptistry Built by Theodoric who was an Arian Christian. In his reign Arian Goths and the Orthodox Christians lived peaceably together worshipping in separate buildings. Elsewhere in the Empire, and eventually everywhere, Arianism was eradicated with severity. Some regard the Empty Throne here as a reference to Arianism. However it may refer to an aspect of esoteric Christianity, i.e. to a truth beyond or higher than the capabilities of the human mind. We will meet the theme again in Saint Mark’s in Venice. Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo Mosaics from the reign of King Theodoric (496-526). Repression of Arianism. After Theodoric’s death mosaic restorers ‘airbrushed’ him (or most of him) out of the picture. Mausoleum of Theoderic Built in 520 and perhaps the inspiration for the Coronet Cinema in Notting Hill Gate Basilica of San Vitale (548) The building has two ambulatories, one above the other, circulating the central space. The continuous movement of columned arches, barrel vaults, apses and semi-domes gives the space a most pleasing, almost operatic, effect. The church was begun by Theodoric’s daughter Amalasuntha and finished in 540, just at the time that Justinian regained Ravenna for the Empire. It was the model for Charlemagne’s 9th century Palatine Chapel in Aachen. Justinian accompanied by representatives of the Army, Officials of the Imperial Court and the Church, the foundations of his status as the most powerful man on earth. Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe Unusual symbolic representation of the Transfiguration. The church was built by the banker Julian Argentarius and Ursicinus Bishop of Ravenna between 526 and 547. (Ravenna reverted to Byzantium in 540) .
Load more

Recommended publications
  • Journeys to Byzantium? Roman Senators Between Rome and Constantinople
    Journeys to Byzantium? Roman Senators Between Rome and Constantinople Master’s Thesis Presented in Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements for the Degree Master of Arts in the Graduate School of The Ohio State University By Michael Anthony Carrozzo, B.A Graduate Program in History The Ohio State University 2010 Thesis Committee: Kristina Sessa, Advisor Timothy Gregory Anthony Kaldellis Copyright by Michael Anthony Carrozzo 2010 Abstract For over a thousand years, the members of the Roman senatorial aristocracy played a pivotal role in the political and social life of the Roman state. Despite being eclipsed by the power of the emperors in the first century BC, the men who made up this order continued to act as the keepers of Roman civilization for the next four hundred years, maintaining their traditions even beyond the disappearance of an emperor in the West. Despite their longevity, the members of the senatorial aristocracy faced an existential crisis following the Ostrogothic conquest of the Italian peninsula, when the forces of the Byzantine emperor Justinian I invaded their homeland to contest its ownership. Considering the role they played in the later Roman Empire, the disappearance of the Roman senatorial aristocracy following this conflict is a seminal event in the history of Italy and Western Europe, as well as Late Antiquity. Two explanations have been offered to explain the subsequent disappearance of the Roman senatorial aristocracy. The first involves a series of migrations, beginning before the Gothic War, from Italy to Constantinople, in which members of this body abandoned their homes and settled in the eastern capital.
    [Show full text]
  • Ancient Rome and Byzantium: the Birth of the Byzantine Empire
    Ancient Rome and Byzantium: The Birth of the Byzantine Empire Ancient Rome and Byzantium: The Birth of the Byzantine Empire by ReadWorks Constantinople, 15th century In 330 A.D., the Emperor Constantine moved the capital of the Roman Empire from Rome. He chose Byzantium, a city far east of Rome, as his new capital. He renamed the city Constantinople. In 476 A.D., the city of Rome was conquered. The western part of the Roman Empire was defeated. After that, only the eastern part of the empire was left. This was centered in Constantinople and became known as the Byzantine Empire. Latin and Greek were the two most important languages of the Byzantine Empire. Greek was spoken in daily life. Latin was used for religious ceremonies and government work. The Byzantine Empire's rulers made it a Christian empire. Christianity became the core of Byzantine life. Constantinople became the center of the Christian world. In 1453 A.D., the Byzantine Empire fell to the Turks. Today, Constantinople is called Istanbul, and it is the largest city in Turkey. ReadWorks.org · © 2012 ReadWorks®, Inc. All rights reserved. Ancient Rome and Byzantium: The Birth of the Byzantine Empire - Comprehension Questions Name: ___________________________________ Date: _______________ 1. According to the text, which of the following was an important language in the Byzantine Empire? A. Italian B. Greek C. Turkish D. English 2. What was the effect of the western part of the Roman Empire being defeated? A. Emperor Constantine moved the capital from Rome to Byzantium. B. Emperor Constantine renamed the city of Byzantium to Constantinople.
    [Show full text]
  • Lectionary Texts for March 21, 2021 • Fifth Sunday in Lent
    Lectionary Texts for March 21, 2021 •Fifth Sunday in Lent - Year B Jeremiah 31:31-34 • Psalm 51:1-12 or Psalm 119:9-16 • Hebrews 5:5-10 • John 12:20-33 Jeremiah 31:31-34 Jeremiah, 6th century Mosaic Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy The focal point of a large mosiac in the Basilica of San Vitale in Ravenna, Italy, depicts the Hospitality of Abraham and the Sacrifice of Isaac (see page 4.) Above and to the left is the mo- saic of Jeremiah while above and to the right is Moses. These scenes and people are connected by the theme of covenant. God had promised Abraham a son, and Abraham was willing to sacrifice him; in return God blessed Abraham with many descendants. On Mount Sinai God told Moses to obey and keep His covenant; the Israelites will be His treasured possession. Jeremiah was promised a new covenant, more intimate and more personal than the one with Moses: “… I will write it in their hearts; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” Continued Lectionary Texts for March 21, 2021 •Fifth Sunday in Lent - Year B • Page 2 One of eight structures in Ravenna collectively designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Basilica of San Vitale (see page 4) is an important example of early Christian Byzantine art and architecture. The church was begun in 526 and completed in 547. The structure has an octagonal plan, combining Roman elements, such as the dome and shape of doorways, with Byzantine elements, such as the polygonal apse, narrow bricks, and an early example of flying buttresses.
    [Show full text]
  • The Neonian Baptistery in Ravenna 359
    Ritual and ReconstructedMeaning: The Neonian Baptisteryin Ravenna Annabel Jane Wharton The pre-modern work of art, which gained authority through its extension in ritual action, could function as a social integrator. This essay investigates the figural decoration of the Orthodox Baptistery in Ravenna, in an effort to explain certain features of the mosaic program. If the initiation ritual is reenacted and the civic centrality of the rite and its executant, the bishop, is restored, the apparent "icon- ographic mistakes" in the mosaics reveal themselves as signs of the mimetic re- sponsiveness of the icon. By acknowledging their unmediated character, it may be possible to re-empower both pre-modern images and our own interpretative strategy. The Neonian (or "Orthodox") Baptistery in Ravenna is the preciated, despite the sizable secondary literature generated most impressive baptistery to survive from the Early Chris- by the monument. Because the artistic achievement of the tian period (Figs. 1-5).1 It is a construction of the late fourth Neonian Baptistery lies in its eloquent embodiment of a or early fifth century, set to the north of the basilican ca- new participatory functioning of art, a deeper comprehen- thedral of Bishop Ursus (3897-96?) (Fig. 1).2 The whole of sion of the monument is possible only through a more thor- the ecclesiastical complex, including both the five-aisled ba- ough understanding of its liturgical and social context. The silica and the niched, octagonal baptistery, appears to have first section of this essay therefore attempts to reconstruct been modeled after a similar complex built in the late fourth the baptismal liturgy as it may have taken place in the century in Milan.3 Within two or three generations of its Neonian Baptistery.
    [Show full text]
  • Dreamitaly0709:Layout 1
    INSIDE: The Artistic Village of Dozza 3 Private Guides in Ravenna 5 Bicycling Through Ferrara 6 Where to Stay in Bologna 8 Giorgio Benni Giorgio giasco, flickr.com giasco, Basilica di San Vitale MAMbo SPECIAL REPORT: EMILIA-ROMAGNA Bologna: dream of City of Art ith its appetite for art, Bologna’s ® Wcontributions to the good life are more than gustatory. Though known as the “Red City” for its architecture and politics, I found a brilliant palette of museums, galleries, churches and markets, with mouth-watering visuals for every taste. ITALYVolume 8, Issue 6 www.dreamofitaly.com July/August 2009 City Museums For a splash of Ravcnna’s Ravishing Mosaics 14th-century sculp- ture start at the fter 15 centuries, Ravenna’s lumi- across the region of Emilia-Romagna. Fontana del Nettuno A nous mosaics still shine with the With only a day to explore, I’m grate- in Piazza Maggiore. golden brilliance of the empires that ful that local guide Verdiana Conti Gianbologna’s endowed them. These shimmering Baioni promises to weave art and bronze god — Fontana Nettuno sacred images reveal both familiar and history into every step. locals call him “the giant” — shares the unexpected chapters in Italian history water with dolphins, mermaids and while affirming an artistic climate that We meet at San Apollinaire Nuovo on cherubs. Close by, Palazzo Comunale’s thrives today. Via di Roma. A soaring upper floors contain the Collezioni basilica, its narrow side Comunale d’Arte, which includes opu- Ravenna attracted con- aisles open to a broad lent period rooms and works from the querors from the north nave where three tiers 14th through 19th centuries.
    [Show full text]
  • 3 Italian Opera Composers June 2020
    Italian Culture June 2020 Dear Italian Culture Friends I thought that it might be interesting to look this week at the work of three Italian Opera Composers who later composed some liturgical works. In the case of two of the composers, we invariably think of their operatic output. These are Giuseppe Verdi and Gioachino Rossini. The third of them, Cherubini, also wrote a number of operas before turning to liturgical music In 1831 Rossini travelled to Spain with a friend, a banker named Alexandre Aguado, owner of Chateau Margaux, famous for its Bordeaux wine (claret). While he was there, he was commissioned by Fernández Varela, a state councillor, to write a setting of the liturgical text, the Stabat Mater. Although he began the work in 1831, it was not until 1841 that the final form was completed. It was premiered on Holy Saturday 1833 in the Chapel of San Felipe el Real in Madrid but this was the only performance of that version. The choice of Holy Saturday was appropriate as the work tells part of the story of the previous day, Good Friday, and perhaps it was the rush to complete it in time for that first performance which caused Rossini’s dissatisfaction with that version and caused him to continue to revise it. In fact, the first version was not solely the work of Rossini. It was a twelve-part piece of which Rossini had written Parts 1 and 5-9. His friend, Giovanni Tadolini, had written the rest but Rossini claimed it as his own work. Rossini, the product of a musical family from Pesaro, on the Adriatic coast - his father was a trumpeter and his mother a singer - had published his first composition at the age of 18 and the next year he was contracted to write operas and manage theatres in Naples.
    [Show full text]
  • Periodic Report 2006
    State of Conservation of World Heritage Properties in Europe SECTION II Recommendation: That this property be inscribed on the World Heritage List on the basis of criteria ITALY (i), (ii), (iii), and (iv): The complex of Early Christian religious Early Christian Monuments of monuments in Ravenna are of outstanding Ravenna Significance by virtue of the supreme artistry of the mosaic art that they contain, and also because of the crucial evidence that they provide of artistic and Brief description religious relationships and contacts at an important Ravenna was the seat of the Roman Empire in the period of European cultural history. 5th century and then of Byzantine Italy until the 8th century. It has a unique collection of early Christian Committee Decision mosaics and monuments. All eight buildings – the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia, the Neonian Bureau (June 1996): The Bureau recommended the Baptistery, the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo, Committee to inscribe the nominated property on the Arian Baptistery, the Archiepiscopal Chapel, the the basis of criteria (i), (ii), (iii) and (iv) considering Mausoleum of Theodoric, the Church of San Vitale that the site is of outstanding universal value being and the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe – were of remarkable significance by virtue of the supreme constructed in the 5th and 6th centuries. They show artistry of the mosaic art that the monuments great artistic skill, including a wonderful blend of contain, and also because of the crucial evidence Graeco-Roman tradition, Christian iconography and that they provide of artistic and religious oriental and Western styles. relationships and contacts at an important period of European cultural history.
    [Show full text]
  • ITALIAN HOURS by Henry James
    Italian Hours, by Henry James http://dev.gutenberg.org/files/6354/6354-h/6354... The Project Gutenberg EBook of Italian Hours, by Henry James This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.org Title: Italian Hours Author: Henry James Release Date: August, 2004 [EBook #6354] This file was first posted on November 29, 2002] Last Updated: September 18, 2016 Language: English Character set encoding: UTF-8 *** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK ITALIAN HOURS *** Produced by Richard Farris and the online team at Distributed Proofreaders HTML file produced by David Widger ITALIAN HOURS By Henry James Published November 1909 1 of 239 6/11/20, 9:42 PM Italian Hours, by Henry James http://dev.gutenberg.org/files/6354/6354-h/6354... PREFACE The chapters of which this volume is composed have with few exceptions already been collected, and were then associated with others commemorative of other impressions of (no very extensive) excursions and wanderings. The notes on various visits to Italy are here for the first time exclusively placed together, and as they largely refer to quite other days than these—the date affixed to each paper sufficiently indicating this—I have introduced a few passages that speak for a later and in some cases a frequently repeated vision of the places and scenes in question. I have not hesitated to amend my text, expressively, wherever it seemed urgently to ask for this, though I have not pretended to add the element of information or the weight of curious and critical insistence to a brief record of light inquiries and conclusions.
    [Show full text]
  • Ravenna Tourist Information 1
    refinedcomposition that decorates the Neonian RAVENNA UNIQUE CITY, Baptistery is inspired by cultured Greek tradition, resumed also in the Arian Baptistery WORLD HERITAGE ; the majesty of the Basilica of Sant’Apollinare Ravenna is a showcase of art, history and culture of the Nuovo reveals its origins as a palatine church, first order. The city has ancient origins and a glorious built by Theodoric the Great, king of the Ostrogoths; past; from the 5th to the 8th centuries it was the capital more than one hundred charming little birds lead of the Western Roman Empire, of King Theodoric of the you into the intimate atmosphere of the Chapel Goths and of the Byzantine empire in Europe. of Sant’Andrea , where a triumphant Christ is A considerable patrimony has been passed down to us celebrated; the majestic Mausoleum of Theodoric from that magnificent period. Ravenna is, above all, a , with its enormous monolithic roof covering; the city of mosaics. Its ancient walls conserve mankind’s Basilica of San Vitale , the greatest treasure of the richest heritage of mosaics dating from the 5th and early Christian era, contains a portrait of the imperial 6th centuries. For this reason its early Christian and Byzantine court; outside the city the elegant Basilica Byzantine buildings have been recognised by Unesco of Sant’Apollinare in Classe exalts Christ and TUTTIFRUTTI as world heritage. Sant’Apollinare, the first bishop and church father, in The simple external shell of the Mausoleum of Galla the mosaic of the apse. RAVENNA Placidia conceals an infinite sky of stars; the WORLD HERITAGE Assessorato al Turismo Servizio Turismo e Attività Culturali Comune di Ravenna Tourist Information Office Piazza San Francesco / Piazza Caduti per la Libertà 48121 Ravenna - Italy tel.
    [Show full text]
  • Bologna Welcome Confidential Catalogue
    Bologna Welcome Confidential Catalogue Bologna Welcome Srl Piazza Maggiore, 1/e T +39 051 65 83 190 [email protected] 40124 Bologna F +39 051 65 83 132 bolognawelcome.com Index Intro Bologna Welcome Incoming Travel Agency 3 E-commerce 4 Bologna Welcome for MICE events 5 Marconi Express 6 Getting to Bologna 7 Visitor Center 10 Bologna Welcome Card 11 How to consult the catalogue 12 Tour 2-hour guaranteed 14 2-hour on request 29 Half-Day guaranteed 47 Half-Day on request 52 Full-Day guaranteed 66 Coming soon 72 Packages Bologna Welcome Srl Piazza Maggiore, 1/e T +39 051 65 83 190 [email protected] 40124 Bologna F +39 051 65 83 132 bolognawelcome.com Bologna Welcome Incoming Travel Agency Who we are We respond quickly to requests for Bologna Welcome Incoming Travel Agency is an incoming tour operator specialized in marketing the tourist destination of Bologna and its territory. The agency manages the entire tourism services chain and assists clients throughout the whole organizational process. Transportation Accommodation: Motor tours: The agency consists of two units: 5-star, 4-star, museums, factories • Business unit resorts, holiday and test-drives • Leisure unit farms, etc. Music tours and Food & Wine tours: Cultural and tickets for the tastings, cooking historical tours Italian opera classes… Outdoor activities: Incentive and team Itineraries and trekking, biking building school tour tours packages Bologna Welcome Srl Piazza Maggiore, 1/e T +39 051 65 83 190 [email protected] 40124 Bologna F +39 051 65 83 132 bolognawelcome.com E-commerce Our leisure products How to purchase our products All the tourist offer of Bologna Welcome is available on the e-commerce platform, created in collaboration with the Trekksoft Company, which allows tourists to plan or buy the packages or experiences they want.
    [Show full text]
  • The Expansion and Fall of Rome
    Chapter The Expansion 2 and Fall of Rome Before You Read: People Search Use the following sentences to conduct a search for classmates who have the following information: • Find someone to explain who Caesar Augustus was. • Find a person who knows something about the Byzantine Empire. • Find someone who can point to a modern-day legacy of Rome. Record what you learn in your notebook. Big Ideas About Ancient Rome Government Governments create law codes and political bodies to organize a society. The Romans built a large and powerful empire. They held their empire together with military force and a highly organized government. After Rome’s fall, the Byzantines created a long-lasting empire. Integrated Technology INTERNET RESOURCES • Interactive Maps Go to ClassZone.com for • Interactive Visuals • WebQuest • Quizzes • Starting with a Story • Homework Helper • Maps • Research Links • Test Practice • Internet Activities • Current Events 284 Diocletian 330 becomes emperor. Emperor Constantine 476 L (gold coin showing moves capital from Western Roman Diocletian) Rome to Byzantium. Empire falls. 300s Aksum kingdom in East Africa reaches its height. (ruin of Aksum tower) L 42 P 10°W 0° 10°E 20°E 30°E 40°E Roman Empire, A.D. 120 North Sea BRITAIN London The Romans built the Pantheon as a tribute to their 50°N gods. The attached dome measures 142 feet in diameter and was the largest built until modern times. ATLANTIC GAUL OCEAN Massilia ITALY Black Sea Rome Byzantium SPAIN 40°N GREECE ANATOLIA M e d Ephesus i Athens Carthage t e Antioch r r SYRIA a n e a n S e a Jerusalem Alexandria 30°N AFRICA EGYPT Tropic of Cancer N Red Sea 0 300 600 miles W E 0 300 600 kilometers The Arch of Titus was completed in the late S 20°N fi rst century to honor the emperor Titus and his most famous military victory, the conquest of Jerusalem in A.D.
    [Show full text]
  • THE TALE of SAINT ABEBCIUS. the Chief Authority for the Life of This
    THE TALE OF SAINT ABERCIUS. 339 THE TALE OF SAINT ABEBCIUS. THE chief authority for the life of this saint is the biography by Symeon Metaphrastes, written about 900-50 A.D. It quotes the epitaph on the saint's tomb, and the question whether this epitaph is an original document of the second century A.D., or a later forgery, is one of the utmost importance for the early history of the Christian church, and of many literary points connected with it. The document is not very easily accessible, so that it may be well to quote it as it is given in the Life by Metaphrastes; the criticism of the text has been to a certain extent advanced by the metrical restorations proposed by Pitra and others.1 'E/icXe/eTr;? iroXeas •jroXirrj^ TO'8' eirouqaa ^a>i>, Xv e%co iecupq> <TU>f*aTO<; ivddSe Bicnp, TOVVO/M A/8ep«tos d we /AadrjTT]? Hoifievo'i dyvov, os {36<rK€t, irpofSaTdtv dyeXa<s ovpeai TreStcu? Te" 6<f>6aX- fiov; os e\ei fieydXow} iravra KaOopotovra1;. OVTOS yap f-e eSiSalje ypdfifiara TriaTa' ets 'VwfirjV os eire/M'yfrev ifie a9p7Jtraf ica\ fBaol~kL<T<rav IBeiv ^pvcrocrToXo ^ Xaov 8' elSof eicei Xafiirpav a<bpayi§a e^ovra' ical 2U/SM;S X(*>Pa<> «oW Kal aarea irdvTa, Nt'crt/3tv Ev^pdrrjv Sta/3d<;' irdv- 7as 8' eaj(pv avvofirjyvpovi YlavXov e<ra>0ev. IL'ffTts 8e iravrl irporjye Kal irape6r}Ke Tpo<f)r)v, l%8vv airo •mjyr)'; ira/xfieyiOr] KaOapbv ov iBpd^aro Tlapdevos dyvtj, Kal TOVTOV eVeSaJKe <f>i\ot,<: iadieiv hiairavTO';- oivov ^prjarbv ej(pu<ra Kepao-pa ScBovaa //.«••?•' aprov.
    [Show full text]