My Photos: Italy -- Mosaics -- Ravenna -- Mausoleum of Galla Placidia


Mausoleum of Galla Placidia
Early 5th Century AD
Ravenna, Italy


Aelia Galla Placidia was the daughter of Emperor Theodosius I.  She was born in Constantinople, 392 AD, and died in Rome, 450 AD.  Historians believe she had this mausoleum built during her lifetime.  The mausoleum holds 3 sarcophagi, one of which is believed to contain either the remains of her son, Emperor Valentinian III or her brother, Emperor Honorius.  Another sarcophagus contains the remains of her husband, Emperor Constantius III.  Historians are unsure whether Galla Placidia's remains were ever deposited in the third sarcophagus, the contents of which were burned in the 1500s.

Symbols of the 4 Evangelists float in the starry sky.
Matthew -- Angel
Mark -- Lion
Luke -- Ox
John -- Eagle


Christ as the Good Shepherd




This scene possibly depicts St. Vincent of Saragossa



The entire domed ceiling is covered with mosaic smalti, much of it 24c gold


 

 

 

 












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