Read the text. Why are Justinian and Theodora holding bread and chalice of wine?
Why are Justinian and Theodora holding bread and chalice of wine?
Although Justinian and Theodora may never have visited Ravenna, they are depicted on the apse wall mosaics as if they had attended the church’s consecration in 547.
Justinian called her “Our most reverend partner granted Us by God”. She helped write some, if not most, laws. Theodora influenced policy more than any other empress while the emperor was still alive. She encouraged him to write laws to benefit the underprivileged and women. The Justinian mosaic, on the opposite side of the apse from the Theodora mosaic, is less colourful, though still highly impressive. He holds a gold paten (a container for communion bread), while Theodora on the opposite wall bears the chalice for the communion wine. This suggests that they were co-rulers even in spiritual matters. The emperor is flanked by the two aspects of his power – the secular and the spiritual. Both Justinian and Theodora have halos, putting them on the level of the saints, martyrs, and apostles. Agree or disagree: 1. San Vitale church looks like a jewelry box because its interior is decorated with precious stones. 2. Both Justinian and Theodora are depicted on the walls for they visited this church. 3. Justinian and Theodora were not only a husband and a wife but also co-rulers. 4. Theodora gave her husband much advice about laws. 5. Justinian and Theodora have halos because they are equal to saints. 6. Guards of the far left of Justinian indicate his spiritual power. Self-check:
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The greatest wall mosaics in Ravenna are at the Church of San Vitale. Entering San Vitale is like walking into a jewelry box. Gorgeous mosaics of saints, angels, Christ and his apostles, and Old Testament figures surround you as if you have stumbled into heaven. Glittering gardens, populated by exotic birds, wildflowers, fruit and stars are interwoven with the holy figures.
Theodora is displayed in San Vitale as Justinian’s equal – and she was. Chronicles said “They did nothing whatever separately in the course of their life together.”
