St Peter consecrating St Hermagoras as the first bishop of Aquileia, witnessed by St Mark the Evangelist. Scene from a fresco cycle, painted circa 1180 AD, about the life of St Hermagoras. In the Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta in Aquileia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy. Hermagoras, chosen in the 1st century AD by St Mark to lead Aquileia’s Christians, was arrested with his deacon, St Fortunatus, then tortured and beheaded by the Romans. The Basilica was the first Christian church built legally in Aquileia after religious toleration was proclaimed across the Roman Empire.
Image details
Contributor:
Terence Kerr / Alamy Stock PhotoImage ID:
2D368W9File size:
34.9 MB (3.4 MB Compressed download)Releases:
Model - no | Property - noDo I need a release?Dimensions:
4288 x 2848 px | 36.3 x 24.1 cm | 14.3 x 9.5 inches | 300dpiDate taken:
30 August 2008Location:
Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta, Aquileia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, ItalyMore information:
This image could have imperfections as it’s either historical or reportage.
Aquileia, Friuli Venezia Giulia, Italy: a scene from the life of Saint Hermagoras of Aquileia, a fresco cycle painted circa 1180 AD on the vault of the 9th century Crypt of Frescoes in the Sanctuary of the Basilica of Aquileia, the first church to be built legally in this ancient city as Christianity spread throughout the Roman Empire. Hermagoras, said to have lived in the 1st century AD, was chosen to lead the city’s Christians by St. Mark the Evangelist. He evangelised the area with his deacon, Fortunatus, but they were arrested by the Romans, tortured and beheaded. This panel shows St. Peter consecrating Hermagoras as bishop of Aquileia. Peter steps forward from the left to bless the bowed head of Hermagoras and to bestow upon him his bishop’s crosier. Hermagoras is fully clothed as a bishop, apart from a mitre, and his costume includes a Y-shaped pallium, the symbol of his metropolitan dignity. St. Mark, standing to the right, witnesses the consecration. Roman Aquileia was one of the ancient world’s largest cities. The Basilica was founded soon after the 313 AD Edict of Milan, which proclaimed religious toleration throughout the Empire and enabled Christians to build places of public worship without fear of persecution. The first church was destroyed, but was then rebuilt four times over several centuries. The present Basilica di Santa Maria Assunta looks from outside to be medieval Romanesque-Gothic, but inside, its vast 4th century early Christian mosaic pavement reveals its origins. SS. Hermagoras and Fortunatus share the Basilica’s dedication with St. Mary. D0680.A8132