The Cubiculum of David

Paleo-Christian wall painting
Cubiculum of David, Catacombs of Domatilla, Rome

David is pictured holding the sling with which he defeated Goliath (I Samuel 17). He wears the belted one-shoulder tunic characteristic of working people. Along his left shoulder is what appears to be a cape. No cape is mentioned in the text, but an even more elaborate one is included in this 7th-century silver plate.

I wonder if the red areas below the figure were originally representational. The heavy line on which David stands could be the stream mentioned in 17:40 that divides the David and the Israelites from Goliath and the Philistines. And that round blotch on the other side of the line from David, could it be Goliath's head?

Read more about images of David.

Source: "The Catacombs of Rome"