The early christian mosaic discovered in 1870 during works carried out in front of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore in Capua vetus (Santa Maria Capua Vetere) has not aroused much interest from scholars, with few exceptions. That is perhaps due to the decisive absence of archaeological data about its discovery. Nevertheless, previous research has considered the mosaic pavement part of the paleochristian baptistery, connected to the Vth century church. After its discovery, it was segmented into six large fragments in ancient times, and the counter-façade of the present cathedral hosts the three most significant ones. Recent studies have instead focused mainly on the iconographic issues, connecting the artefact to oriental influences, and dating it in the first half of the VIth century because of its clear graphism. After all, we know about the contact with Byzantium by the deep relationships between the Capuan episcope and the East Emperor for Vth and VIth centuries. New research about the Christianization of Capua vetus represents a new opportunity also to re-discuss this artefact and, beyond new perspectives coming from modern paths, to analyze its undoubted potential for knowledge.
Il mosaico pavimentale dalla basilica di s. Maria Maggiore a Santa Maria Capua Vetere (Caserta): dati preliminari per una ricerca
Nicola Busino
Project Administration
2022
Abstract
The early christian mosaic discovered in 1870 during works carried out in front of the Cathedral of Santa Maria Maggiore in Capua vetus (Santa Maria Capua Vetere) has not aroused much interest from scholars, with few exceptions. That is perhaps due to the decisive absence of archaeological data about its discovery. Nevertheless, previous research has considered the mosaic pavement part of the paleochristian baptistery, connected to the Vth century church. After its discovery, it was segmented into six large fragments in ancient times, and the counter-façade of the present cathedral hosts the three most significant ones. Recent studies have instead focused mainly on the iconographic issues, connecting the artefact to oriental influences, and dating it in the first half of the VIth century because of its clear graphism. After all, we know about the contact with Byzantium by the deep relationships between the Capuan episcope and the East Emperor for Vth and VIth centuries. New research about the Christianization of Capua vetus represents a new opportunity also to re-discuss this artefact and, beyond new perspectives coming from modern paths, to analyze its undoubted potential for knowledge.I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.
