Early Christian Chi Rho monograms or Christograms, symbolising the Greek word for Christ, cut into fragments of a shattered sarcophagus or tomb chest in the Necropolis of Manastirine, outside the walls of the ancient Roman city of Salona, at Solin near Split in Dalmatia, Croatia. Christians executed for their faith by Roman Emperor Diocletian were buried here, as were later Christians wishing to honour the martyrs. Salona, with a population of about 60,000, was once the capital of the Roman province of Dalmatia.
Salona, Solin, Dalmatia, Croatia: fragments of a shattered stone sarcophagus lying in the Necropolis of Manastirine, outside the walls of the ancient Greek and Roman city of Salona, are incised with early Christian Chi Rho monograms symbolising Jesus Christ. The Chi Rho, found in Rome's catacombs and elsewhere, combines the capital letters X and P (the Greek capitals 'chi' and 'rho') to reference the Greek word for Christ. Sometimes, the device also includes Alpha and Omega, the first and last letters of the Greek alphabet, to symbolise Christ and God in the Book of Revelation. Similar Christograms appear on plundered tomb chests in the city's other cemeteries, commemorating Christians martyred for their faith by the Roman Emperor Diocletian and later generations of believers who chose to be interred near his victims. Many Christian martyrs - including early saints - were buried here, and the later Christians, finally allowed freedom of worship, also honoured them by building memorials in the amphitheatre where many had died as well as basilicas over their graves. Salona, a former Adriatic port, was founded in the 3rd century BC by Illyrians. It became a Roman colony around 40 BC, and was later the provincial capital of Dalmatia. The strongly fortified city grew to include public baths, an aqueduct, a forum, a theatre and an 18,000-capacity amphitheatre. Diocletian, probably born in or near Salona, became Emperor in 284 AD and Salona flourished as his magnificent palace was built at nearby Split. Christianity also thrived, but Diocletian executed many believers, including future saints Domnius and Anastasius. The city fell to the Ostrogoths in 493 AD and although it was returned to Rome, its citizens fled Slav and Avar invaders in 614. The excavated site is now an archaeological park.
Size: 4256px × 2832px
Location: Salona, Solin, Dalmatia, Croatia.
Photo credit: © Terence Kerr / Alamy / Afripics
License: Royalty Free
Model Released: No
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