Emperor Justinian and His Court
Artist unknown
547 · Basilica of San Vitale, Ravenna
Justinian carries the bread for the Eucharist in gold and purple, flanked by men who cast no shadow and stand on no ground.
★ 8.6
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6th century
501 – 600
Showing 15 works across all media from the 6th century
Christ Pantocrator (Sinai)
Artist unknown
560 · Saint Catherine's Monastery, Mount Sinai
Cover one half of the face, then the other, and two expressions emerge, merciful and severe. Sinai was too remote for the iconoclasts to reach.
★ 8.2
The Consolation of Philosophy
524 · 154 pages
Awaiting execution, Boethius is visited by a woman called Philosophy, who explains why fortune's wheel turns and how God's foreknowledge still leaves you free. Medieval Europe read nothing more closely.
★ 7.4
O happy race of mortals, if your hearts are ruled, as is the universe, by Love!
The Consolation of Philosophy · 523
The Secret History
550 · 176 pages
Justinian's official historian kept a second book he could not publish: the emperor a demon pacing the palace at night without a head, the empress insatiable. Nothing from antiquity carries this much hatred.
★ 6.7
History of the Franks
594 · 710 pages
Gregory, bishop of Tours, is the reason sixth-century Gaul is visible at all. He records Clovis splitting a soldier's skull over a looted vase, queens ordering assassinations, and miracles at the saints' tombs.
★ 6.4
If you expect a physician to help you, you must lay bare your wound.
The Consolation of Philosophy · 523
The Consolation of Philosophy · 523
Who hath so entire happiness that he is not in some part offended with the condition of his estate?
The Consolation of Philosophy · 524
You can take comfort in the likelihood that what is now making you miserable will also pass away.
The Consolation of Philosophy · 523
What place can be left for random action, when God constraineth all things to order?
The Consolation of Philosophy · 523