The Rotunda of Thessaloniki is a monument with a long history. It began as a pagan Roman structure, erected by the Roman Emperor, Galerius, sometime around the year A.D. 305-311 What the structure was used for initially is a matter of some debate -- with some speculating it could have been intended to be used as his own imperial mausoleum, whereas others suggest that it was possibly intended for use a temple. Whatever the case, it would quickly become converted into a Christian church sometime around the end of the fourth or fifth century, and still later in its life, during the period of the Ottoman occupation, it was converted into a mosque. For a brief time in the early twentieth century the Rontunda was once again restored to Christian use before finally being turned into a museum.
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| A view of the exterior of the Rotunda |
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| Apse showing a ninth century fresco depicting the Ascension of Christ |
The first reason is that they show a number of early Christian style altars, altars complete with lampada, curtains, candlesticks and ciboria. Second, the figures themselves are depicted with a particular refinement. A closer look at the composition of the various figures (who, incidentally, represent various Christian saints and martyrs) show with what expertise these mosaics were executed. Further, the clerical saints are also depicted wearing the ancient, conical form of the chasuble that is derived from the ancient Roman paenula -- a shape of chasuble that would have been shared by both Christian East and West at this period of Christian history (and thus something which this mosaic also helps to emphasize).
Of the other mosaics that are still extant, we can find Roman style patterns of various birds (including peacocks and a Phoenix, both symbols of Resurrection and eternal life), fruits (such as grapes and pomegranates), flora and fauna (including evergreen, likely intended as a symbol of eternal life) and crosses akin to those that we can also find in Constantinople..
Regrettably, many of the Rotunda's mosaics are now lost to us, but those that still remain present us with a picture of a decorative work that is not only richly imbued with Christian symbolism and aspects of Christian liturgical history, but which are also characterized by their extreme technical refinement and sophistication. These are true treasures of early Roman Christian art.
For those wondering, the grand architectural backdrops seen here, covered by precious stones and other ornament, represent traditional Greco-Roman stage backdrops -- something one can commonly find employed within ancient Greco-Roman art.
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| Two clerics standing to each side of the altar and ciborium. The altar shows the Book of the Gospels in a precious, ornamental covering laid upon the altar, as well as a curtain hanging between the columns of the ciborium. Tall, standing candlesticks can also be seen to either side of the altar. |
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| Two clerics shown wearing the ancient form of the chasuble |
Located toward at the apex of the dome, we an find angels hold up a rainbow, signifying the firmament of Heaven, inside of which are found various fruits, flora and fauna, ultimately culminating in a now lost depiction of Christ in Glory -- all that can be made out of that now is the preliminary sketch on the brick that would have preceded the actual mosaic installation -- which is interesting enough in its own right.
Of the other mosaics that are still extant, we can find Roman style patterns of various birds (including peacocks and a Phoenix, both symbols of Resurrection and eternal life), fruits (such as grapes and pomegranates), flora and fauna (including evergreen, likely intended as a symbol of eternal life) and crosses akin to those that we can also find in Constantinople..
Regrettably, many of the Rotunda's mosaics are now lost to us, but those that still remain present us with a picture of a decorative work that is not only richly imbued with Christian symbolism and aspects of Christian liturgical history, but which are also characterized by their extreme technical refinement and sophistication. These are true treasures of early Roman Christian art.
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