Sant’ Apollinare in Classe

The Byzantine mosaic decoration of the apse date to the C6th, and can be divided into two parts: in the upper one, a large disc encloses a starry sky in which is a cross with gems and the face of Christ. Over the cross is a hand protruding from the clouds, the theme of the Hand of God. At the side of the disc are the figures of Elias and Moses. The three lambs in the lower sector symbolize the saints Peter, James and John, alluding to the Transfiguration of Jesus on Mount Tabor. In the lower one is a green valley with rocks, bush, plants and birds. In the middle is the figure of St. Apollinaris, portrayed in the act of praying God to give grace to his faithful, symbolized by twelve white lambs. In the spaces between the windows are the four bishops who founded the main basilicas in Ravenna: Ursicinus, Urusu, Severus and Ecclesius, all with a book in a hand. At the sides of the apse are two C7th panels: the left one, which has been much restored, portrays the Byzantine Emperor Constantine IV granting privilege