Przejście przez Morze Czerwone jako typ chrztu na sarkofagach IV wieku

Abstrakt

In the present paper the author discusses a group of 29 sarcophagi of the 4th century A. D. graphically decorated with the scene of the Crossing the Red Sea. The sarcophagi come from the territorries of Rome and southern France. An analysis of the scene’s composition and information from the development of theology and baptismal ceremony allow the author to isolate 9 sarcophagi to which baptismal symbolism is ascribed. The meaning of the scenes points out to the scenes’ connection with the circle of western theology. The Gallic-Roman origin of the scenes is confirmed by the artistic vividness of the scenes on the sarcophagi: the setting based on the ancient ceremony of the Caesar’s adventus, architectonic details (ports, gates), Egyptian army (cavalry, two-wheeled carts), and personifications of reclining gods.