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Sant'Apollinare Nuovo: Ships at Classis

Ships at Classis

Mosaic depicting boats at the ancient port of Classis (or Classe), originally founded by Augustus in c.30 BC. Detail of mosaic on the north wall of the nave at the west end of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna. The mosaic dates from c.500 AD under the Ostrogothic ruler Theodoric. The wall in front of the port city was originally occupied by portraits of Thedoric and his court, but these were removed after Catholics took over the basilica in c.560.

Credit: Holly Hayes