The Virgin and Child Enthroned with Saints

6th century
Mosaic
Apse of the Euphrasian Basilica, Poreč, Croatia

Dressed as Byzantine courtiers of the period, six adults and one smaller figure bring gifts to the enthroned Virgin and Child, who are flanked by two angels. On the right are two martyrs offering their crowns and one other saint (a confessor?) bringing a book. On the left, right to left, are the patron saint of the church, St. Maurus; Euphrasius, the bishop who had the basilica constructed and brings it as his offering; and a "Claudius" who holds a book and whose title is given as ARC. The smaller figure holds a scroll and is labeled Eufrasius Filius. He is also called ARC. His being the son of Euphrasius suggests that the three letters may abbreviate an ecclesiastical title, most likely "archpriest," rather than a political one such as "archon."

The martyr's crown held by St. Maurus indicates that he was already considered a martyr by the 6th century, and perhaps had already been identified with the St. Maurus who died in Rome.

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Photographed at the basilica by Richard Stracke, shared under Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike license.