Arianism and the Alexandrian Connection,
in Northern Italy

During a recent visit to Ravenna I became aware of the relationship between Theoderic's Arian beliefs and the parallel presence of the usage of the Coptic cross.

This cross, latinate in shape has the ear like top right extension indicating it's connection to the Rho character. It has been attributed to the merging of the Chi-Rho symbol, together with the Latin Cross, which in turn probably originated from the Ankh or ancient egyptian symbol of eternal life, as witnessed by a bust from the Fayum http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Coptic_bust.jpg), or the interchange of Ankh's and crosses on a tablet in the Coptic Museum, Cairo. This is a logical conclusion, as Christ was most likely crucifed on a Tau cross. This was the dominant form used by the Romans. as it is the quickest and cheapest method to create a suitable cross for execution. You merely have to get a soldier to nail a cross piece onto the top of an upright, rather than employ a carpenter to produce a mortice joint to create the typical Latin crucifix form.

Arius (AD 256 - 336), the founder of Arianism, was a pupil of Lucian, presbyter in Antioch, who apparently held very similar views but which, he did not promote publically, unlike Arius. "He (Arius) held a prominent position as presbyter in the Church of Alexandria when the Arian controversy with Bishop Alexander began (about 318) concerning the eternal deity of Christ and his equality with the Father (homoousia), which he denied, holding that Christ was of a different essence, and a creature of the Father, though created before the world."

Originating in Alexandria, Arianism developed some syncretic symbolism. I have already mentioned the Coptic cross, but also must mention the sun cross or equal armed cross. This was frequently modified by the Rho like adition on the top right of the upright.

Detail from the centre the lid of a Sarcophagus in Sant. Apollinare in Classel

Coptic Cross

Stone 56, from St Ninian's Cave, Whithorn Visitor Centre

Rho modified Sun Cross


Modified Sun Cross from Kirkmadrine stone 2

Modified Sun Cross from Kirkmadrine Stone 2,
basically an equal armed Coptic cross

Cividale

The Lombards were the last group of germanic people to invade and settle in Italy, when they entered though the Julian Alps in 568 AD. The first Roman town captured by them is now known as Cividale. The capture of Northern Italy was fast and they had gained overall control by 572 AD. The Cividale Museum has an unrivalled collection of Lombardic material. I must mention the Sun Cross, as it is the main form represented in grave goods, from Lombard graves, preserved in this Museum. They are preserved as simple pectoral crosses, sewn onto the chest of a tunic as well as jewled up market objects from princely tombs. Usually there is a round object at the centre of the cross, either a jewel or an imbossed head as in the examples below. The usage of this cross form in the context of a germanic tribe is in part additionally syncretic as this cross form was also present in germanic myths, as Woden's cross. You thus may have been playing safe, by 'backing both ways' in a 'two horse race', by wearing this cross form!

Sun Cross, from Sarcophagus of either Gisulf I, died 568 AD. or Gisulf II, died 610 AD.

Sun Cross, from Sarcophagus of either
Gisulf 1, died 568 AD. or Gisulf II,
died 610 AD

Sun Cross from a more common Lombard grave

Sun Cross from a more common Lombard grave

By way of comparison to the above left cross, I figure below, a 9th century, Italian, Lombardic, annular cross, from The Victoria & Albert Museum. This shows remains of it's silver plating and is decorated with cabachon pastes, plaques of silver and enamels on copper-gilt, in similar style to the above. It was probably produced as a votive offering.

Ravenna

Ravenna came to prominence, early in the 5th Century, when the new Western Emperor Honorius moved there in reponse to threat of the Visigoths arrival, and hence made Ravenna Imperial capital of his Empire.

The Ostrogoths, who had settled in Thrace after the battle of Adrianople (378 AD.) had a powerfull new leader in the mid 5th Century, Theoderic, who was made 'Master of the Soldiers' by the Eastern Roman Emperor, Zeno. The latter directed Theoderic to take his people to Northern Italy, to oust Odoacer, a Hun, who had become de facto King in that part of Italy. They left for Italy in 488 AD. and had captured Ravenna and killed Odoacer by 493 AD.Theoderic thus had made himself King of Italy, which he ruled from 493-526 AD.

Unfortunately for the Roman population of Ravenna, their captor, Theoderic, was a member of a group, which like all the Goths, had been converted to Christianity, in the 340's AD, by the missionary Bishop Ulfinus, who was Arian! Theoderic thus started building up an Arian clergy. The evidence from Ravenna consists of common Coptic Crosses on Sarcophigi, together with one unique occurrence on a Theoderic period building, recorded incorrectly as Theoderic's Palace. This is significant, as it ties the cross directly to Theoderic. Coptic Crosses are seen on numerous sarcophogi. found in the majority of the churches we visited. The problem is that they are dated styalistically and are commonly re-used. Dating them can be fraught, as few have any dedication inscriptions and where they do they commonly refer to a re-use.

Less than fifty years after his death, there came the final Gothic influx into Italy, in the form of the arrival of the Lombards, another Arian Christian group. There thus was all told probably more than a hundred years of Arian influence in Northern Italy.

'Theoderic'sPalace'

'Theoderic's Palace'

Coptic cross on top of door jamb of main doorway.

Coptic cross on top of door jamb of main doorway of 'Theoderic's Palace'.

Sarcophagus in St Apollinare Nuovo

Sarcophagus in the grounds of San Vitale, does the lid match the base,
it looks unlikely, base should probably look like the following picture!
The combination of a Coptic cross with a pair of sheep is a common format

Matching Lid & base from St. Francisco

Matching Lid & base from St. Francisco. Recorded as being created in thr 3rd century, lambs and 'Chrismon' added in the 6th and finally reused in the 18th Century!
Note the presence of the Alpha and Omega symbols attached to the limb
of the bottom cross.

Front of Sarcophagus, St Apolinaire en Classe

Front of Sarcophagus, from Sant. Apollinare in Classe, with sheep and palm trees in addition to a thin Coptic Cross.

Lid of above sarcophagus

Lid of above sarcophagus, showing a thin Coptic cross, with dependent Alpha & Omega symbols, in a rossette, between two peacocks.

Sarcophagus, from Sant. Apollinare in Classe

Sarcophagus, from Sant. Apollinare in Classe with a central Coptic Cross, with pendant Alpha & Omega symbols. Coupled with Latin crosses, pair of sheep and on the lid two equal armed Sun Crosses in decorated rings, again with pendant Alpha & Omega symbols.

The complete sarcophagus, from which the example of the Coptic Cross was taken

An Arian masterpiece from Sant. Apollinare in Classe, the complete sarcophagus, from which the example of the Coptic Cross was taken. Two Coptic crosses with appended Alpha & Omega symbols, two similarly adorned Chi-Rho symbols and two peacocks in entwined foliage.

Another Front of a sarcophagus from Sant. Apollinare in Classe

A final front of a sarcophagus from Sant. Apollinare in Classe
Two thin mirrored Coptic Crosses and a single, smaller Latin Cross, between the curtains. Strangely cleaner than either side, so perhaps re-cut to remove an inappropriate image in the transfer to the Nicean period. Looks very like the curtains at Sant. Apollinare Nuovo, shown below, with it's arm and hand on the columns, betraying the blanked out members of Theoderic's Palace Court.

Blanked out members of Theoderic's Court at Sant. Apollinare Nuovo.

Aquileia

Aquileia was founded as a colony in 181BC. It was close to the coast and on a navigable river and thus quickly developed as a port. This river eventually silted up and led to the growth of Grado as Aquileia's port. It's strategic position was selected to help strengthen this exposed part of Italy from incursions of barbarians, something it was good at, until Atilla-the-Hun besieged and captured it in 452 AD. Because of it's prolonged resistance it was looted, devastated and fired. It was never to regain it's postion, it had prevously held, among the front rank of Roman cities, only smaller than Rome, Constantinople and Antioch. The only real surivor of these times, still standing is the Basilica, which I have already desribed.. The major rebuilding, which went on between the 9th and 11th century, largely built on the rubble of the earlier mid 4th century church. hence the preservation of the early mosaics. This accounts for the complete lack of any evidence of Theoderic's Arianism in the existing Basilica. The only evidence of an Arian connection is to be seen in the Museum of Paleo-christianity in the old church at Monastero. Photography was not permitted and policed well. I only managed to snap one Coptic Cross. That being said, there were other examples of hand drawn Coptic Crosses in the grafitti section, on stones 5 & 15, which I could not photo. So even here Theoderic had his adherhents of Arianism!

Fragment of screen from the Chancel of a Church

Fragment of screen from the Chancel of a Church

Concordia Sagittaria

Founded in 42 BC, as Colonia Julia Concordia, this town developed commercially as a manufacturer of arrow heads, hence it's modern name.The site under dicussion commenced with a Cella trichora or three apsed structure, built as a funeral precinct for the remains of Martyrs from Diocletian's persecutions of 303 AD. Subsequently a three aisled basilica was erected beside, that is to the left in this view of this original monument, shown below. In the period 493-526 AD. this church would have become under control of Theoderic, with his Arian connection.

The Cella Trichora

The Cella Trichora, showing it's overall shape, and the central. cross shaped sunken reliquary.

Sarcophagus in the courtyard area in front of the Cella Trichora.

Sarcophagus in the courtyard area in front of the Cella Trichora, showing a Coptic Cross and bird.

Coptic Cross on Door Jamb.

Long, truncated Coptic Cross on the right hand door jamb, of a doorway giving entry to a burial area, subsequently erected directly behind and adjacent to the Cella Trichora. So Arianism too, had it's part to play in the development of this site.

References

F Gilmore Eaves 2006, Ravenna & Aqileia, Rome and her Heirs: Study Guide. Adante Travels for tour of same name, 60pp.

N. Christie, 1998. The Lombards, pp. 258, figs. 17. Plates 42, Blackwell, Oxford.

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