History of Rome, and of the Roman people, from its origin to the invasion of the barbarians . SYMBOLS OF THE CROSS, THE FISH, THE GOODSHEPHERD, IDEAS. 43:; beginnings of Christian art are to the art itself what an infantswaitings are to the masculine voice which fills the great is apparent that these frescos are the efforts of poor artists work-ing for very poor employers. Two things appear in them whichare destined to endure, — symbolism and contempt for ORPIIEUS PLAYING ON TITF. In the most ancient catacombs many of the decorations areborrowed from pagan sources
History of Rome, and of the Roman people, from its origin to the invasion of the barbarians . SYMBOLS OF THE CROSS, THE FISH, THE GOODSHEPHERD, IDEAS. 43:; beginnings of Christian art are to the art itself what an infantswaitings are to the masculine voice which fills the great is apparent that these frescos are the efforts of poor artists work-ing for very poor employers. Two things appear in them whichare destined to endure, — symbolism and contempt for ORPIIEUS PLAYING ON TITF. In the most ancient catacombs many of the decorations areborrowed from pagan sources, but diverted from their old meaningsto the expression of new thoughts. We see Orpheus playing thelyre to savage beasts : it is Christ who calms the fierce instincts ofthe soul; Bacchus is the god of the celestial vintage ; Psyche, the 1 Painting from the catacomb of Calixtus, which the Chevalier Rossi refers to the time ofMarcus Aurelius or Commodus (Roma sotterranea, vol. ii. pi. 18). Around the principal snl>-ject are seen Moses striking the rock, Daniel in the lions den, David with his sling about toslay the. enemy, etc. vol,, vr. 28 434 THE EMPIRE AND ROMAN SOCIETY. divine love; the Jordan, the god of streams. The Good Shepherd,who carries on his shoulders the tired lamb, representing sufferinghumanity, might be taken for Hermes Kriophoros, or the rusticPan. Ulysses fastened to the mast of his ship that he may besecure against the delusive strains of the Sirens
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Keywords: ., bookauthorduruyvic, bookcentury1800, bookdecade1880, bookyear1883
