The Left Wall of the Nave in Sant'Apollinare Nuovo  6th century
(Original mosaics ca. 504, Orthodox revisions ca. 561, some
restorations done in mid-19th century) Church of Sant'Apollinare
Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy  This is the left wall of the nave. The
three bands of mosaics here are paired with those on the right
wall.  The uppermost band presents 13 events in the life of
Christ alternating with decorative panels. The narrative panels
portray a youthful, beardless Jesus, always in a purple toga,
and the apostles are invariably shown in white togas, each with
two shoulder-to-hem purple stripes. This is the garb of Roman
senators (example). The stripes, but not the togas, are also
seen on the bishop and deacons in a contemporary mosaic in
nearby San Vitale (image). In the mosaics of the Passion on the
opposite wall, the garb is the same but Jesus has no beard.  In
the middle band are 16 prophets, evangelists, and other saints.
Below that, 22 virgin saints process from the city of Classe
toward the throne of the