Arian Baptistry

The Baptistery of the Arians ( Baptistery of the Arians ) is an ancient church building in Ravenna, Italy. It was built towards the end of the 5th century, when Theodoric the Great confirmed in his rule and Arianism official Hofreligion was. Compared to the Baptistery of the Cathedral it is simpler and poorer state of preservation.

Famous the Baptistery is mainly equal to other Byzantine monuments of Ravenna, because of the wall and ceiling mosaics in its interior. Along with other early churches of the city, is one of the Baptistery of the Arians, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

In the second half of the 6th century, the baptistery was converted from the Roman Catholic Church in the Oratory of S. Maria in Cosmedin.

Outside

The octagonal building with four apses is today because of the in Ravenna since ancient times very sharply rising ground level approximately 2.25 m below this.

Interior

Inside, only the mosaic decoration of the dome remained. This is very similar to that of the Baptistery of the Cathedral of Ravenna, which probably served as a direct model. In the central medallion, the Baptism of Christ is represented in the Jordan. The Saviour, completely naked, is baptized by the Holy Spirit in the form of a dove, at the same time pours John the Baptist water over the head; the third figure, a green marsh cautious, symbolizes the River Jordan. Since even the genitals of Jesus (unusual in Byzantine art) have been identified that form, as older literature, sometimes as influenced by Arianism is seen. Whether the Arian doctrine actually had an impact on the iconography of the baptism scene, however, can not be detected due to lack of comparative examples. In fact, on the dome of the Orthodox Baptistery of Ravenna mosaic of Jesus genitals, though not as easy to see. Another, probably more likely, cause of this form of representation is the pagan tradition that was still quite noticeable fading in the 5th century. In Greek and Roman art are representations of male nudity, especially in the sacral area, of course, nothing unusual.

The apostles are shown complete on the dome mosaic, separated by stylized palm trees under each other, wearing white robes and around the head a halo. Between the keys of heaven supporting St. Peter and a scroll holding a St. Paul Hetoimasia is shown: a large cross with throne that Christ gives the first place.

Gallery

Procession of the Apostles ( dome )

Font