"Linothoraxes" in the army of Aetius?

[Flavivs Aetivs]

The Nave mosaics represent scenes from the Old Testament indeed, and here's a key.

Thanks! That's very helpful.

Strange that the battle scenes show both armies similarly equipped, but different scenes show different types of soldiers... different artists, maybe?

The Crossing of the Red Sea features more of those funny Phrygian helmets.

The Defeat of the Amorite Kings has a very dynamic battle scene that I've never seen before (except perhaps at very long range, in the basilica itself!) More curious armour. I'm reminded of the famous painting of the Hellenistic soldier...

The Execution of the Amorite Kings shows what could be a close-up of those 'linothorax' things from the other picture.

http://www.christianiconography.info/sta...rites.html

That one above reminds me of the Alexander Mosaic.

http://www.christianiconography.info/sta...edSea.html

I'm looking at this one and very clearly seeing Intercisa-style and/or Berkasova-style helmets alongside the Phrygian Caps and those domed helmets. One of the Phrygian helmets looks like it has a nasal.

I'm wondering if it's a mix of Classicization and contemporary equipment? Spangenhelms mixed with Phrygian helmets, etc.

I might have to do drawings of interpretations of this equipment.

I had a long discussion with Raffaelle D'Amato who agrees that the Nave Mosaics might represent the Eastern Roman Campaign to restore Valentinian III on the Throne in 425 AD. After all, half the army sunk in the Adriatic (the "Crossing of the Red Sea") and we know the force under Aspar that went overland engaged and besieged Ioannes and Castinus' forces at Aquileia and other cities.

I should send an email to Dr. Meaghan McEvoy about this. She knows a ton about Valentinian III's ascent to the throne, and about the Imperial Family's funding of art/etc. including the Santa Maria Maggiore.