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Photo: Front
Collection ID
ATQ.000006
Type
Antiquity
Date
Late 5th–6th century AD
Geography
Unknown
Language
Greek
Medium
Marble
Dimensions
23.6 in. (60 cm) diameter
Exhibit Location
On View in The History of the Bible, The Written Tradition

This roundel is carved in high relief in a style that is eye-catching and meant to be seen from a distance. It likely once adorned the exterior of an early church and would have been part of a larger design. The central medallion consists of a Christogram, an early symbol merging the first two letters of the word Christ in Greek, Χ (chi) and Ρ (rho). In the spaces between the left and right arms of the chi, are two additional Greek letters, α (alpha) and ω (omega). A laurel wreath surrounds the central medallion, and this is further surrounded by a vine motif consisting of alternating ivy and grape leaves.

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