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Document Details : Title: The Humble Heraclius Subtitle: Revisiting the North Portal at Mren Author(s): MARANCI, Christina Journal: Revue des Études Arméniennes Volume: 31 Date: 2008-2009 Pages: 167-180 DOI: 10.2143/REA.31.0.2046940 Abstract : The church of Mren, founded c. 639/40 and located on the Ayrarat plain in modern eastern Turkey, has earned the attention of scholars for its epigraphy, architecture, and striking figural reliefs. In particular, the sculpted lintel of the north portal has formed the subject of debate. This communication offers new evidence toward the interpretation of the scene by J.-M. and N. Thierry as the Restitution of the Cross by the Byzantine emperor Heraclius (610-641). In addition, the collated sources may provide insight into the meaning of the combined use of sculpted arch and oculus on Mren’s north and west facades, which are here linked to the west façade of the Golden Gate in Jerusalem. Never before considered together, the textual and visual sources may also contribute further to the lively debates surrounding the narrative tradition of the Restitutio. |
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