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Roman tombstone depicting the Good Shepherd. Baths of Diocle
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Roman tombstone depicting the Good Shepherd. Baths of Diocle
Early Christian Art. Italy. Roman tombstone depicting the Good Shepherd. Baths of Diocletian, part of the National Roman Museum Rome. Italy
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Media ID 14328095
© Thaliastock / Mary Evans
Antique Baths Christ Christians Diocletian Dove Doves Funerary Good Iconographic Iconography Representation Romans Sheep Sheeps Sherpherd Stele Symbol Symbolic Symbolism Times Tombstone
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EDITORS COMMENTS
1. Title: "The Good Shepherd: A Symbol of Protection and Eternal Life in Early Christian Funerary Art, Rome" This ancient Roman tombstone, dating back to the Early Christian period, depicts the powerful and enduring image of the Good Shepherd. Discovered at the Baths of Diocletian, part of the National Roman Museum in Rome, Italy, this antique stele is a testament to the rich artistic heritage of the Roman Empire. The relief carving on the tombstone shows the Good Shepherd in the center, with a sheep over his shoulders and a staff in his hand. Two doves, symbols of peace and the Holy Spirit, fly above him. This iconographic representation of Christ as the Good Shepherd was a popular motif in Early Christian art, reflecting the biblical passage from John 10:11, "I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd lays down his life for the sheep." The age of this tombstone is estimated to be around the 4th or 5th century AD, a time when Christianity was becoming the dominant religion in the Roman Empire. The image of the Good Shepherd served as a powerful symbol of protection, guidance, and eternal life for the deceased and their families. The Baths of Diocletian, an impressive architectural complex built during the late 3rd century AD, served as a thermal bathing facility for the Roman elite. The discovery of this tombstone and other Early Christian artifacts at the site demonstrates the syncretism and cultural fusion that characterized the late Roman period. This image of the Good Shepherd is not only a beautiful work of art but also a valuable historical artifact, providing insights into the religious beliefs and artistic sensibilities of the Early Christian community in Rome during the late antique period.
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