Christ as Sol Invictus

Christ as Sol Invictus

Christ as Sol Invictus, Roman, 3rd century, mosaic, Rome, St. Peter’s Basilica.

This ceiling mosaic in Mausoleum M, the Tomb of the Julii, in the Vatican Necropolis underneath St. Peter’s Basilica, has been interpreted as depicting Christ as Sol Invictus (Unconquered Sun), the sun god of the later Roman Empire. Sol Invictus came to be favored by Roman emperors after Aurelian elevated the cult in 274 CE. Constantine I also identified with Sol. Invictus and has the figure depicted on some of his coinage. The figure depicted in this mosaic, if it is indeed a blending of Christ and Sol, is shown riding in a chariot pulled by rearing horses with vines (a symbol associated both with Dionysius and with Jesus) surrounding.

http://stpetersbasilica.info/Necropolis/TombM.htm

St. Peter's Basilica