01-24-2014, 11:47 AM
Yeah I take Barberini back-it is evidently a cloak not a standard.So here is his head in bigger resolution(although it is more probable,I think,it is perhaps sediments rather then remaining color-maybe except his eyes-or is it only a shadow in hollows for eyes?Have no Idea:-(.Personally I believe that Justinian and Belisar are depicted on this wonderful piece.
I'm adding yet detailed description of Constantin's vexilum -miraculous labarum as described by Eusebius of Caesareia:
AT dawn of day he arose, and communicated the marvel to his friends: and then, calling together the workers in gold and precious stones, he sat in the midst of them, and described to them the figure of the sign he had seen, bidding them represent it in gold and precious stones. And this representation I myself have had an opportunity of seeing.
NOW it was made in the following manner. A long spear, overlaid with gold, formed the figure of the cross by means of a transverse bar laid over it. On the top of the whole was fixed a wreath of gold and precious stones; and within this, the symbol of the Saviour's name, two letters indicating the name of Christ by means of its initial characters, the letter P being intersected by X in its centre: and these letters the emperor was in the habit of wearing on his helmet at a later period(Pavel-documented also on coins or medaillon). From the cross-bar of the spear was suspended a cloth, a royal piece(Pavel-so presumably purple in color), covered with a profuse embroidery of most brilliant precious stones; and which, being also richly interlaced with gold, presented an indescribable degree of beauty to the beholder. ...
THE emperor constantly made use of this sign of salvation as a safeguard against every adverse and hostile power, and commanded that others similar to it should be carried at the head of all his armies
I'm adding yet detailed description of Constantin's vexilum -miraculous labarum as described by Eusebius of Caesareia:
AT dawn of day he arose, and communicated the marvel to his friends: and then, calling together the workers in gold and precious stones, he sat in the midst of them, and described to them the figure of the sign he had seen, bidding them represent it in gold and precious stones. And this representation I myself have had an opportunity of seeing.
NOW it was made in the following manner. A long spear, overlaid with gold, formed the figure of the cross by means of a transverse bar laid over it. On the top of the whole was fixed a wreath of gold and precious stones; and within this, the symbol of the Saviour's name, two letters indicating the name of Christ by means of its initial characters, the letter P being intersected by X in its centre: and these letters the emperor was in the habit of wearing on his helmet at a later period(Pavel-documented also on coins or medaillon). From the cross-bar of the spear was suspended a cloth, a royal piece(Pavel-so presumably purple in color), covered with a profuse embroidery of most brilliant precious stones; and which, being also richly interlaced with gold, presented an indescribable degree of beauty to the beholder. ...
THE emperor constantly made use of this sign of salvation as a safeguard against every adverse and hostile power, and commanded that others similar to it should be carried at the head of all his armies
