Basilica di Aquileia (Friuli Venezia Giulia) Italy, June 2020 071
Entering the Basilica we can see the mosaic floor belonging to the Theodorian South Hall, one of the three main rooms constituting the bishop's seat during the empire of Constantine. Theodore, whom the inscription on the floor in the Fishing Scene refers to, had built a complex of worship perfectly corresponding to the liturgical needs of that time. He bought an urban area, demolished the warehouses situated in it and built a complex with the shape of a horseshoe. Two rectangular parallel halls (South and North Hall), connected by a rectangular transversal hall. Between the two parallel halls to the east of the transversal hall there were the baptistery, some ancillary rooms and the entrance to the whole complex. Of this first complex are visible today: in the Basilica. the mosaic of the South Hall, part of the cocciopesto floor of the transversal hall, part of the mosaic floor of the entry; in the Crypt of Excavations, remains of the mosaics of the North Hall, remains of the cocciopesto of the transversal room and the floors of the ancillary rooms; the remains of the old baptistery with circular baptismal font are not visible instead. According to some scholars the South Hall was used by catechumens preparing for baptism, while the North Hall was used for the Holy Mass. Other scholars instead are convinced of the contrary. The connecting room was used both as a dressing room before the baptism following the rite of immersion and for the celebration of the Confirmation. The mosaic floor is divided into panels bordered by vegetal motives (acanthus shoots). There are ten "carpets", each representing different highly symbolical scenes, some of which are considered particularly important.
Basilica di Aquileia (Friuli Venezia Giulia) Italy, June 2020 071
Entering the Basilica we can see the mosaic floor belonging to the Theodorian South Hall, one of the three main rooms constituting the bishop's seat during the empire of Constantine. Theodore, whom the inscription on the floor in the Fishing Scene refers to, had built a complex of worship perfectly corresponding to the liturgical needs of that time. He bought an urban area, demolished the warehouses situated in it and built a complex with the shape of a horseshoe. Two rectangular parallel halls (South and North Hall), connected by a rectangular transversal hall. Between the two parallel halls to the east of the transversal hall there were the baptistery, some ancillary rooms and the entrance to the whole complex. Of this first complex are visible today: in the Basilica. the mosaic of the South Hall, part of the cocciopesto floor of the transversal hall, part of the mosaic floor of the entry; in the Crypt of Excavations, remains of the mosaics of the North Hall, remains of the cocciopesto of the transversal room and the floors of the ancillary rooms; the remains of the old baptistery with circular baptismal font are not visible instead. According to some scholars the South Hall was used by catechumens preparing for baptism, while the North Hall was used for the Holy Mass. Other scholars instead are convinced of the contrary. The connecting room was used both as a dressing room before the baptism following the rite of immersion and for the celebration of the Confirmation. The mosaic floor is divided into panels bordered by vegetal motives (acanthus shoots). There are ten "carpets", each representing different highly symbolical scenes, some of which are considered particularly important.