Byzantine

Around 530 CE, Justinian was crowned emperor of the Byzantine empire. His wife Theodora was by his side and crowned augusta, or empress, of the empire. Many argue that she was the most influential and powerful woman of the Byzantine era. In fact, Theodora has her own mosaic housed in the San Vitale, an octagonal-shaped church in Italy that was dedicated the year that Justinian became emperor. San Vitale is known for its amazing mosaics, and Theodora's is no exception. Her mosaic, entitled Empress Theodora and Retinue, is located in the apse of the church, opposite Justinian's. She is pictured with her attendants and holds a chalice, which accompanies the paten (bread basket) that Justinian is holding in his mosaic. The two closest women next to her have detailed faces when compared to the rest of the attendants, and it is believed that they are Theodara's very closest friends. This piece of art is significant because it shows the power and influence this woman had in the Byzantine era, as well as the mixture of the church and the state. The fact that she is depicted in the apse of the church is also significant, considering many representations of women in Christianity are of the Virgin Mary, Eve, and other significant gospel figures.

Early Christian

It its beginnings, Christianity was faced with resistance and enmity. Although the religion spread quickly, Christians were persecuted relentlessly for years. Romans in particular distrusted the religion and as a result persecuted many of Christianity's followers. Romans typically were uninterested in their subjects' religious beliefs, but Christianity hit a sore spot with Rome because Christians were unwilling to worship the pagan Roman gods, and as a result they were seen as traitors to the state. Romans also believed that Christians were atheist because they denied the existence of the Roman gods. For these reasons, it was extremely hard and even very dangerous to be a Christian in the earlier years. This is a fresco of the Virgin Mary and Jesus, and it is entitled Virgin and Child. This fresco is very significant in that it is the first known depiction of the Virgin and Child, a subject that would become a common theme in Christian art. A fresco is a wall painting done on wet plaster, and this fresco depicts Mary sitting with the baby Jesus on her lap. Next to Mary stand a figure, which some believe to be Isaiah. The figure points to baby Jesus with one hand and to a star with the other hand, and this is believed to signify the fulfillment of prophesy. In the foreground there are sheep and flowers. This painting was done in 250 CE, which was an especially turbulent time for Christians. In 250 CE an empire-wide persecution of Christians commenced under Emperor Decius of Rome. It wasn't until 312 CE that a decree was made in Milan that finally allowed the toleration of Christianity as a religion.