E06048: Mosaics from the 6th c. depicting Apollinaris (bishop and martyr of Ravenna, S00331), *Michael (the Archangel, S00181), *Gabriel (the Archangel, S00192), *Matthew (the Apostle and Evangelist), possibly *Peter (the Apostle, S00036) and several holy bishops of Ravenna in Sant'Apollinare in Classe (near Ravenna, northern Italy), datable 533/549.

Mosaics from Sant'Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna

Sant'Apollinare in Classe is located in Classe (Classis), just to the south-east of Ravenna. Though now cut off from the sea, in late antiquity it was the city's port.

In the semi-dome of the apse, a large mosaic depicts a figure standing in a landscape. This figure is dressed as a bishop, is haloed and is identified as '+SANCTVS APOLENARIS' in an inscription. He is flanked on both sides by twelve sheep, with three more standing behind him in the landscape. He stands beneath a large circle, in which a cross sits against a blue background covered in stars. In the centre of the cross there is a small portrait of Christ. In the golden sky of this mosaic 'MOYSES' (Moses) and 'ELIAS' (Elijah) are depicted without haloes. Above them, a hand reaches down from the heavens.

Below this large image four portraits of holy bishops from Ravenna. Each of these bishops is depicted against a blue background and each bishop is labelled in an inscription. All the bishops wear episcopal dress and crowns hover above their heads. Each holds a closed book. From left to right, they are as follows:

ECLE SIVS (*Ecclesius, Bishop of Ravenna, Italy, ob. 532, S02235).
S̅C̅S̅SE VERVS (*Severus, Bishop of Ravenna, Italy, S01884).
S̅C̅S̅VR SVS (*Ursus, Bishop of Ravenna, Italy, ob. 426, S02234).
VRSI CINVS (*Ursicinus, Bishop of Ravenna, Italy, ob. 536, S02233).

At the entrance to the apse - on two panels - there are portraits of two angels and two men. On the left hand side one mosaic depicts an haloed angel against a gold background. He is labelled as 'MICAHL' (Michael, the Archangel). He carries a standard which is now corrupted but probably says 'AGIOS AGIOS AGIOS’: ‘holy, holy, holy’. On the right hand side an angel – similarly dressed, also haloed and also depicted against a gold background – is labelled as 'GABRIHL' (Gabriel, the Archangel). Again, the banner is not clear, but it probably says 'AGIOS AGIOS AGIOS'. Underneath the angels there are two bearded figures wearing white, depicted against blue backgrounds and with gold haloes. The figure on the left, underneath Michael, is labelled as 'SMATHEVS' (Matthew, the Apostle and Evangelist). The figure on the right is not labelled, but it is just possible this is Peter: he has the beard and white hair typical of depictions of Peter in other mosaics from late antique Ravenna.

Description: Frances Trzeciak.