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Which Byzantine rulers appear in the famous mosaic panels at San Vitale in Ravenna?
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mosaic
Mosaic floor fragment from a synagogue or church, cut stone with mortar from Israel, late 5th–6th century ce; in the Jewish Museum, New York City.
The famous mosaic panels at the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna feature the Byzantine emperor Justinian I and his consort, the empress Theodora.12
Located near the apse, these panels emphasize the theocratic nature of their rule. In the mosaics, Justinian is depicted accompanied by 12 attendants, a composition that subtly mirrors Jesus Christ and the Apostles. The royal couple is shown presenting vessels containing bread and wine, which serve as symbols of the Eucharist.12