Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: Theodoric

The Mausoleo di Teodorico ("Mausoleum of Theoderich") was erected in 520 as the future tomb of Theodorich the Great. At that time it was outside the city and surrounded by a Gothic graveyard. The structure of the mausoleum is divided into two decagons, one above the other. Both are made of stones from Istria (today part of Croatia). Its roof is a single 300–ton Istrian stone, 10 meters in diameter! The lower room was probably a chapel for funeral liturgies. In the room above is the porphyry stone tomb, seen here. In this tomb Theoderich was buried, after he had died in 526. When Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, Theoderich´s bones were scattered and his mausoleum was converted to a Christian oratory. Like many structures of that age in Ravenna, the mausoleum was built on soft ground. Finally silting from the river Badareno had partly submerged it. So in the late 19th century the area around was drained, the mausoleum got excavated and restored. Theoderich was remembered in Germanic legend as "Dietrich von Bern". Bern is the Middle High German name for Verona. On the tomb are many small graffiti, maybe dating from the time of Belisarius.

The Battistero degli Ariani (Arian Baptistery) was erected by Theodorich the Great, after he had taken Ravenna in 493. The Ostrogoths and their King Theodorich were Arian Christs. The Arian Baptistery is very much like the nearby (catholic/orthodox) Battistero Neoniano ("Baptistery of Neon") completed under Bishop Neon about 50 years earlier, but smaller. After Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, and after the condemnation of the Arian sect, this baptistery was converted into an oratory named Santa Maria. Orthodox monks added a monastery during the period of the Exarchate of Ravenna and further dedicated the structure to Saint Maria in Cosmedin. Over the centuries the octagonal brick structure has sunken about 2,30 meters into the ground.

The Battistero degli Ariani (Arian Baptistery) was erected by Theodorich the Great, after he had taken Ravenna in 493. The Ostrogoths and their King Theodorich were Arian Christs. The Arian Baptistery is very much like the nearby (catholic/orthodox) Battistero Neoniano ("Baptistery of Neon") completed under Bishop Neon about 50 years earlier, but smaller. After Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, and after the condemnation of the Arian sect, this baptistery was converted into an oratory named Santa Maria. Orthodox monks added a monastery during the period of the Exarchate of Ravenna and further dedicated the structure to Saint Maria in Cosmedin. Over the centuries the octagonal brick structure has sunken about 2,30 meters into the ground. Inside the small baptistery the tourists look up to the mosaic of the apse.

The Battistero degli Ariani (Arian Baptistery) was erected by Theodorich the Great, after he had taken Ravenna in 493. The Ostrogoths and their King Theodorich were Arian Christs. The Arian Baptistery is very much like the nearby (catholic/orthodox) Battistero Neoniano ("Baptistery of Neon") completed under Bishop Neon about 50 years earlier, but smaller. After Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, and after the condemnation of the Arian sect, this baptistery was converted into an oratory named Santa Maria. Orthodox monks added a monastery during the period of the Exarchate of Ravenna and further dedicated the structure to Saint Maria in Cosmedin. Over the centuries the octagonal brick structure has sunken about 2,30 meters into the ground. The mosaic of the baptistery´s dome. Seems a bit like a simplified copy of the mosaic of the Battistero Neoniano. Here the the diameter of the dome is smaller, so the composition had to be "simpler". While in the Neonano are two concentruc bands around the central medaillion, here is only one. The center is similar. Christ standing up to his waist in the water of the River Jordan. Christ is young, beardless and - naked. Christ is flanked by John the Baptist and a personification of the River Jordan. The twelve apostles on the band around thie scene are devided in two groups. One group is led by Saint Peter, holding the keys, the other by Saint Paul, holding two scrolls. They are approaching a sumptious throne with an large purple cushion supporting a jeweled cross.

The Battistero degli Ariani (Arian Baptistery) was erected by Theodorich the Great, after he had taken Ravenna in 493. The Ostrogoths and their King Theodorich were Arian Christs. The Arian Baptistery is very much like the nearby (catholic/orthodox) Battistero Neoniano ("Baptistery of Neon") completed under Bishop Neon about 50 years earlier, but smaller. After Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, and after the condemnation of the Arian sect, this baptistery was converted into an oratory named Santa Maria. Orthodox monks added a monastery during the period of the Exarchate of Ravenna and further dedicated the structure to Saint Maria in Cosmedin. Over the centuries the octagonal brick structure has sunken about 2,30 meters into the ground. The mosaic of the baptistery´s dome. Seems a bit like a simplified copy of the mosaic of the Battistero Neoniano. Here the the diameter of the dome is smaller, so the composition had to be "simpler". While in the Neonano are two concentruc bands around the central medaillion, here is only one. The center, seen here, is similar. Christ standing up to his waist in the water of the River Jordan. Christ is young, beardless and - naked. He is flanked by John the Baptist and a personification of the River Jordan. Over his head the white dove.

The Mausoleo di Teodorico ("Mausoleum of Theoderich") was erected in 520 as the future tomb of Theodorich the Great. At that time it was outside the city and surrounded by a Gothic graveyard. The structure of the mausoleum is divided into two decagons, one above the other. Both are made of stones from Istria (today part of Croatia). Its roof is a single 300–ton Istrian stone, 10 meters in diameter! The lower room was probably a chapel for funeral liturgies. In the room above is the porphyry stone tomb, in which Theoderic was buried, after he had died in 526. When Byzantine Emperor Justinian's general Belisarius had taken Ravenna in 540, Theoderich´s bones were scattered and his mausoleum was converted to a Christian oratory. Like many structures of that age in Ravenna, the mausoleum was built on soft ground. Finally silting from the river Badareno had partly submerged it. So in the late 19th century the area around was drained, the mausoleum got excavated and restored. Theoderich was remembered in Germanic legend as "Dietrich von Bern". Bern is the Middle High German name for Verona.

In 488, Byzantine Emperor Zeno encouraged Theoderich to overthrow Zeno´s former ally Odoacer. Odoacer, King of Italy since 476, had supported a rebellious rival of Zeno. Theoderich invaded Italy with his army in 488 and - after a two years siege - took Ravenna in 493. After some negociations, Theoderich and Odoacer signed a treaty that assured both parties would rule over Italy. A banquet was organised in order to celebrate. It was at this party that Theoderic, after making a toast, drew his sword and killed Odoacer. Theoderich so became the first king of the Ostrogothic Kingdom, married Audofleda, sister of Clovis I. He died in 526, at the age of 72, and as "Dietrich von Bern" became a hero of German legend. The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was commissioned by Theodoric as his palace chapel. This was an Arian church, consecrated in 504. Starting in 535, the Byzantine Empire invaded Italy under Justinian I. After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica got "remodeled", converted into a Catholic church and finally reconsecrated in 561. Much of the "remodeling" was to get rid of portraits of the former rulers. Here is on the left Theoderich´s palace (= PALA TIUM). In the back is probably this church. To the rights are some details. When the mosaic was created, it had Theoderich the Great in the center and beside him in both sides his family and his court. So now, the spaces between the columns were blacked out and covered up with curtains, but actually the columns stayed unchanged. There are still some hands or at least fingers to find, that once belonged to the Arian Ostrogoths.

In 488, Byzantine Emperor Zeno encouraged Theoderich to overthrow Zeno´s former ally Odoacer. Odoacer, King of Italy since 476, had supported a rebellious rival of Zeno. Theoderich invaded Italy with his army in 488 and - after a two years siege - took Ravenna in 493. After some negociations, Theoderich and Odoacer signed a treaty that assured both parties would rule over Italy. A banquet was organised in order to celebrate. It was at this party that Theoderic, after making a toast, drew his sword and killed Odoacer. Theoderich so became the first king of the Ostrogothic Kingdom, married Audofleda, sister of Clovis I. He died in 526, at the age of 72, and as "Dietrich von Bern" became a hero of German legend. The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was commissioned by Theodoric as his palace chapel. This was an Arian church, consecrated in 504. Starting in 535, the Byzantine Empire invaded Italy under Justinian I. After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica got "remodeled", converted into a Catholic church and finally reconsecrated in 561. Much of the "remodeling" was to get rid of portraits of the former rulers. Seen here is the town of Classe and it´s harbour, about 6kms southeast of Ravenna. From there relics were transferred to this church. The space, where the golden wall is now, was probably originally filled with portraits of Theodorich and his court, starting the "translatio". The golden wall is massive and pretty crude. To erase (no longer liked) persons from photos today is done by experienced photoshop-experts. The task here was a bit different.

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here. The interior measures 35 x 21 meters. The walls of the nave and clerestory are covered mosaics from the 6th century. Some of them date from the Arian period under King Theodoric the Great (496-526). There is a procession of the 22 virgin martyrs, led by the Magi, wearing phrygian caps. Here are in details the portraits of SCS BALTHASSAR + SCA MELCHIOR + SCS GASPAR The mosaics have been renovated during the 19th century and again after WWI, as the church was hit by a bomb. Some scholars claim, that they are "over renovated".

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here. The interior measures 35 x 21 meters. The walls of the nave and clerestory are covered mosaics from the 6th century. Some of them date from the Arian period under King Theodoric the Great (496-526). There is a procession of the 22 virgin martyrs, led by the Magi. The Magi wear phrygian caps - and trousers! Today these would be probably be called leggings. A very unusual attire, as these clothes were not worn here, but they were known from "the east". So the trousers and the caps give a hint, from where the Three Magi came from. They really look trendy! Above the Magi are the names SCS BALTHASSAR + SCA MELCHIOR + SCS GASPAR

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here. The interior measures 35 x 21 meters. The walls of the nave and clerestory are covered mosaics from the 6th century. Some of them date from the Arian period under King Theodoric the Great (496-526). There is a procession of the 22 virgin martyrs, led by the Magi. They all move towards Madonna and Child flanked by four angels, seen here. The mosaics have been renovated during the 19th century and again after WWI, as the church was hit by a bomb. Some scholars claim, that they are "over renovated".

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here. The interior measures 35 x 21 meters. The walls of the nave and clerestory are covered mosaics from the 6th century. Some of them date from the Arian period under King Theodoric the Great (496-526). There is a procession of the 22 virgin martyrs. This procession is led by the Magi, moving from the city of Classe (not to be seen on the left) towards Madonna and Child flanked by four angels. The mosaics have been renovated during the 19th century and again after WWI, as the church was hit by a bomb. Some scholars claim, that they are "over renovated".

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here. The interior measures 35 x 21 meters. The walls of the nave and clerestory are covered mosaics from the 6th century. Some of them date from the Arian period under King Theodoric the Great (496-526). On the left (north) side is a procession of the 22 virgin martyrs, above them are Apostles and Prophets. On the upper band are small mosaics, depicting Jesus' miracles and parables. See previous upload. Here are portraits of three of the 22 virgin martyrs. These mosaics were created during the Byzantine time under the rule of the Emperor Justinian I, mid 6th century. The mosaics have been renovated during the 19th century and again after WWI, as the church was hit by a bomb. Some scholars claim, that they are "over renovated".

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here. The interior measures 35 x 21 meters. The walls of the nave and clerestory are covered mosaics from the 6th century. Some of them date from the Arian period under King Theodoric the Great (496-526). On the left (north) side is a procession of the 22 virgin martyrs, above them are Apostles and Prophets. On the upper band are small mosaics, depicting Jesus' miracles and parables. See previous upload. Here are two of the small mosaics of the upper band. Again here Jesus is young and beardless. To the left "The Raising of Lazarus" John 11:43-44 "When he had said this, Jesus called in a loud voice, "Lazarus, come out!" The dead man came out, his hands and feet wrapped with strips of linen, and a cloth around his face. Jesus said to them, "Take off the grave clothes and let him go."" To the right "Jesus healing the bleeding woman" Mark 5:25-29 "And a woman was there who had been subject to bleeding for twelve years. She had suffered a great deal under the care of many doctors and had spent all she had, yet instead of getting better she grew worse. When she heard about Jesus, she came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak, because she thought, "If I just touch his clothes, I will be healed." Immediately her bleeding stopped and she felt in her body that she was freed from her suffering."

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here. The interior measures 35 x 21 meters. The walls of the nave and clerestory are covered mosaics from the 6th century. Some of them date from the Arian period under King Theodoric the Great (496-526). The procession of the 22 virgin martyrs, labeled with their names above, here only partly seen. They move towards the Virgin and Child (further right). Above them are Apostles and Prophets. On the upper band are small mosaics, depicting Jesus' miracles and parables.

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here. The interior measures 35 x 21 meters. There are 24 marble columns from Constantinople. The present floor level more than 1 meter higher than it was originally. The walls of the nave and clerestory are covered mosaics from the 6th century. Some of them date from the Arian period under King Theodoric the Great (496-526). The apse originally covered in mosaics like the walls, but these were removed during 16th century renovations. The present apse is a reconstruction after being damaged during World War I.

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here. Next to the basilica is a nice cloister. A convenient place for a rest during heavy rain. But the cloister is not, what the tourists come to see ..

The Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo was built by Ostrogoth King Theodoric the Great as his palace chapel. The Arian church was originally dedicated in 504 AD to "Christ the Redeemer". After Byzantine troops had conquered Ravenna the basilica was converted into a Catholic church and reconsecrated in 561 AD. It was now dedicated to Saint Martin of Tours, a foe of Arianism. The dedication was changed again in the 9th century to St. Apollinare, first bishop of Ravenna, when the saint's relics were moved here.