The Virgin Mary enthroned with the Christ child in her lap and flanked by four angels. She wears a veiled mantle, or maphorion, royal purple in color. A small white cross is woven into her veil.
S. Apollinare Nuovo, #Ravenna, early 6th cent. (partially restored)
Today #amwriting about women and #gender in Venantius Fortunatus. He's pretty conventional, as one would expect, but I'm uncovering some interesting wrinkles.
Concordia, located in the north of Italy, was the birthplace of the early Christian author Rufinus. Among its archaeological remains are a Christian basilica and the “Trychora Martyrum,” a 4th c. martyrs shrine. By the end of the century it was transformed into a small basilica
This is my most viewed image on Fickr. A pov shot looking up towards the dome in the sanctuary of San Vitale in #Ravenna. Gives a good sense of the mosaic program. Over 11K views!
Mosaic panel from Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in #Ravenna which shows Jesus casting out demons from the Gerasene demoniac into a herd of pigs. The story is told in Mark 5:1-5:20 and Luke 8:26-8:39.
CFP: Prosopography in late antiquity conference, Bonn, 3-5 February 2025:
Connecting Late Antiquities, a project to create digital prosopographical resources for Roman, post-Roman and neighbouring regions from 3rd through 7th c, has slots for 20 min. papers at its 2025 conference. Abstracts to 300 words, plus brief bio, on any aspect of late antique prosopography welcome by 1st May.
For more info, email jwijnend@uni-bonn.de or jwestend@uni-bonn.de
Apse and sanctuary of the "double church" or "Church of Mary" at #Ephesus. It's believed that the Council of Ephesus was held here in 431. It was the first church dedicated to the Virgin Mary, the #Theotokos