364 Johnson
the event occurred. Above Christ’s head is the dove of the Holy Spirit. Below
is a band with a throne, on which is placed a cross placed on an axis directly
above Christ. This is what is known as the Hetoimasia or ‘Prepared Throne’
awaiting the second coming of Christ. From either side, the twelve apostles
approach the throne. To the right is Peter holding the keys and to the left is Paul
holding a scroll. The other apostles all carry crowns of martyrdom. Dressed
in white tunics and cloaks, they stand on a thin patch of green grass, sepa-
rated from each other by small palm trees, all against a background of gold.
Peter, Paul, and the apostle next to Paul all have halos that differ from those
crowning the heads of the other apostles and the palms between them have
a different appearance than the others. This may indicate that the mosaic
was done in two different periods as some have suggested, or perhaps by two
FIGURE 14.10 Mosaic, baptistery of Santo Spirito, Ravenna
Photo by Mark Johnson