Ceiling mosaic from the Tomb of the Julii, Vatican Necropolis, Rome
3rd century This figure has been identified as Christ in the guise of the sun god, Sol Invictus. He is shown driving a horse-drawn chariot.
Wall painting from Dura Europos, now at Yale University Art Gallery
c. 232 CE Wall painting from a baptistry at Dura Europos showing the miracle of Christ healing the Paralytic (at Capernaum: Matthew 9:1-8, Mark 2: 1-12, and Luke 5:17-26; at Bethesda: John 5:1-18).
Mosaic of Christ from the Archbishop’s Chapel, Ravenna
6th century Christ Militant/Christ Treading on the beasts, a reference to Psalm 91:13: “Thou shalt tread upon the lion and the adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.” (KJV). Christ, dressed as a Roman Legionary, stands with his feet on a lion and a snake. His book reads: EGO SUM VIA VERITAS ET VITA (I am the way and the truth and the life), John 14:6.
Scene of the Crucifixion from the Rabbula Gospels fol. 13v. Florence, Biblioteca Mediceo Laurenziana, cod. Plut. I, 56
586 CE, at the Monastery of St. John of Zagba, Syria Christ (fully dressed) at his crucifixion, between the two thieves. Longinus (labelled, at left) pierces his side with the lance. At right, another man extends the vinegar-soaked sponge. At the base of the cross, soldiers cast lots for Jesus’s clothing. Mary and St. John at left. Women at right.
Icon of Christ with the Abbot Mena, Louvre, Paris
8th century CE (Coptic) Christ (accompanied by the inscription: Savior) is depicted at right with his arm around the Abbot Mena (inscription: Apa Mena superior).
Icon of Christ Pantocrator, St. Catherine’s Monastery, Mt. Sinai
6th century CE (Constantinople?) Encaustic icon of Christ Pantocrator (All-Powerful), the noticeable asymmetry in Christ’s face has been described by scholars as a visualization of his two natures as both man and God.
Apse Mosaic from Santa Pudenziana, Rome Late 4th or early 5th century, heavily restored in 16th century
The enthroned Christ surrounded by apostles and the female personifications of Ecclesia and Synagoga (Church and Synagogue). The text in the book reads: DOMINUS CONSERVATOR ECCLESIAE PUDENTIANAE (The Lord is the preserver of the Church of Pudentiana [Pudenziana]).
Apse Mosaic from Santa Costanza, Rome Church dates to c. 350 CE, mosaics to 5th or 7th century (some scholarly debate)
The Traditio Legis (handing over of the law), shown between Saints Peter (right, grey beard and hair) and Paul (left, brown hair, mostly bald). The scroll reads: DOMINUS PACEM DAT (the Lord giving peace).
Detail of the Apse Mosaic from the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, Croatia
Detail of the Apse Mosaic from the Euphrasian Basilica in Poreč, Croatia, 543-554 CE
Variation of the Traditio Legis (handing over the law), showing a beardless Christ between Saints Peter and Paul (labeled). The text in the book reads: EGO SUM LUX VERA (I am the true light), John 8:12.