Martin M. Miles' photos with the keyword: pantocrator

Crete is the largest and most populous of the Greek islands, is located about 100 km south of the Peloponnese. Crete was the center of Europe's first advanced civilization, the Minoans, from 3000 to 1400 BC. The Minoan civilization was overrun by the Mycenaean civilization from mainland Greece. Crete was later ruled by Rome, then successively by the Byzantine Empire, Andalusian Arabs, the Byzantine Empire again, the Venetian Republic, and the Ottoman Empire. In 1898 Crete, whose people had for some time wanted to join the Greek state, achieved independence from the Ottomans, formally becoming the Cretan State. Crete became part of Greece in December 1913. Heraklion is the largest city and the administrative capital of the island of Crete. With a municipal population of about 180.000 it is the fourth largest city in Greece. The greater area of Heraklion has been continuously inhabited since at least 7000 BCE, making it one of the oldest inhabited regions in Europe. As a major center of the Minoan civilization it often considered Europe's oldest city. The Historical Museum of Crete (HMC) was founded by the Society of Cretan Historical Studies, in 1953. The HMC now offers a composite view of Cretan history and art from the early Christian centuries to the 20th century. Limestone head, most probably depicting Christ Pantocrator, 14th c

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by the Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. - Cefalù in the early morning sun centred around the cathedral. A settlement is known here since Greek times and flourished during the Roman Empire. After the fall of the Empire, the town was Byzantine, but like the whole island was soon subject to Arab incursions. In 858 it was taken by the Arabs and was part of the Emirate of Sicily for about 200 years. In 1063, the Normans captured it. In 1131, Roger II moved Cefalù to the present location at the foot of the rock. He began the construction of the Byzantine-style cathedral. The façade was completed in 1240 and the Cathedral was consecrated in 1267. The overwhelming, breathtaking apse mosaic was already completed in 1148. Below the Pantocrator Below the Pantocrator are are Mary flanked by angels and the apostles. Roger II had built this church as his burial ground and even two porphyry sarcophagi were here, but Frederic II moved them to the Palermo cathedral later, where they still are.

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by the Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. - Cefalù in the early morning sun centred around the cathedral. A settlement is known here since Greek times and flourished during the Roman Empire. After the fall of the Empire, the town was Byzantine, but like the whole island was soon subject to Arab incursions. In 858 it was taken by the Arabs and was part of the Emirate of Sicily for about 200 years. In 1063, the Normans captured it. In 1131, Roger II moved Cefalù to the present location at the foot of the rock. He began the construction of the Byzantine-style cathedral. The façade was completed in 1240 and the Cathedral was consecrated in 1267. The overwhelming, breathtaking apse mosaic was already completed in 1148. The Pantocrator in the center of the apse. Roger II had built this church as his burial ground and even two porphyry sarcophagi were here, but Frederic II moved them to the Palermo cathedral later, where they still are.

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek, and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. - Cefalù is centred around the cathedral. A settlement is known here since Greek times and flourished during the Roman Empire. After the fall of the Empire, the town was Byzantine, but like the whole island was soon subject to Arab incursions. In 858 it was taken by the Arabs and was part of the Emirate of Sicily for about 200 years. In 1063, the Normans captured it. In 1131, Roger II moved Cefalù to the present location at the foot of the rock. He began the construction of the Byzantine-style cathedral. The façade was completed in 1240 and the Cathedral was consecrated in 1267. The overwhelming, breathtaking apse mosaic was already completed in 1148. Below the Pantocrator are are Mary flanked by angels and the apostles. Roger II had built this church as his burial ground and even two porphyry sarcophagi were here, but Frederic II moved them to the Palermo cathedral later, where they still are.

Sicily, the largest Mediterranean island, has a long history, that starts around 8000 BC, but later there were Phoenician, Carthaginian, Greek and Roman periods. After the Roman Empire had fallen apart the Vandals tried to take over the island but failed. Finally, the Ostrogoths took possession. Mid of the 6th century Sicily was conquered by troops of the Byzantine Empire. After the advent of Islam, Sicily got attacked by the Arab forces. Raids seeking loot continued until the mid-8th century. A Muslim army was sent to the island in 827 but met with much resistance. So it took a century to conquer it and even later revolts constantly occurred In 1038 the Byzantines invaded the island supported by Norman mercenaries, led by Roger. In 1072, after the siege of Palermo, most of Sicily was under Norman control. Roger´s son Roger II raised the status +of the island to a kingdom in 1130. During this period, the Kingdom of Sicily was prosperous and powerful, The court of Roger II became melting out of culture from Europe and the Middle East. This attracted scholars, scientists, artists, and artisans. Muslims, Jews, Greeks, Lombards, and Normans cooperated and created some extraordinary buildings. In 1186 the last descendant of Roger, Constance of Sicily married Emperor Henry VI, the second son of Barbarossa. So the crown of Sicily was passed on to the Hohenstaufen Dynasty. Frederick II, the only son of Constance, was crowned King of Sicily at the age of four in 1198. He became "Stupor Mundi", one of the greatest and most cultured men of the Middle Ages. - Cefalù in the early morning sun centred around the cathedral. A settlement is known here since Greek times and flourished during the Roman Empire. After the fall of the Empire, the town was Byzantine, but like the whole island was soon subject to Arab incursions. In 858 it was taken by the Arabs and was part of the Emirate of Sicily for about 200 years. In 1063, the Normans captured it. In 1131, Roger II moved Cefalù to the present location at the foot of the rock. He began the construction of the Byzantine-style cathedral. The façade was completed in 1240 and the Cathedral was consecrated in 1267. The overwhelming, breathtaking apse mosaic was already completed in 1148. Above the Pantocrator are two angels and four six-winged seraphs. Below are Mary flanked by angels and the apostles. Roger II had built this church as his burial ground and even two porphyry sarcophagi were here, but Frederic II moved them to the Palermo cathedral later, where they still are.