Arian Baptistery
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The Arian Baptistry in Ravenna, Italy is a Christian baptismal building that was erected by the Ostrogothic King Theodoric the Great between the end of the 5th century and the beginning of the 6th cen
Arian Baptistry ceiling mosaic
The Arian baptistry
Baptistery close up
Wall decoration fragments
Arianism
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Arianism is a Christological doctrine that rejects the traditional notion of the Trinity, teaching that Jesus was created by God and is therefore distinct from God. It is named after its proponent Ari
Arian Baptistery
…of the 5th century and the beginning of the 6th century A.D., at the same time as the Basilica of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo. Theodoric the Great was an Arian Christian who spent his formative years as a hostage in Constantinople, where he received a comprehensive education that included imperial customs. As an adult…
An imagined portrait of Arius. Detail of a Cretan School icon, c. 1591, depicting the First Council of Nicaea
Constantine burning Arian books, illustration from a compendium of canon law, c. 825
Once the orthodox Trinitarians succeeded in defeating Arianism, they censored any signs that the perceived heresy left behind. This mosaic in the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo in Ravenna has had images of the Arian king, Theoderic, and his court removed. On some columns their hands remain.