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WALKING TOURS OF ROME

Images of the Three Magi in Rome

6/1/2020

 
Mosaic of the Adoration of the Magi, Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
The Adoration of the Magi, Santa Maria Maggiore

January 6th is the Feast of the Epiphany (Festa dell' Epifania), which celebrates the revelation (theophany) of God to the Gentiles, as represented by the Magi, who are called in Greek Magoi (Latin Magi: ‘magicians’ or ‘astrologers’).  

The only gospel to mention the event is that of Matthew (2: 1-12). In the tenth century the three Magi (a number not specified by Matthew, but deduced to accord with their three gifts, gold, frankincense and myrrh) began to appear as kings. The three kings came to be known by a variety of names, standardised in the Middle Ages as Melchior, Caspar and Balthazar. 

​
In the earliest depictions, the Magi wear Persian pants and sport Phrygian caps, references to their origin in the east. 

Mosaic of the three Magi meeting Herod, Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
The Three Magi are called to Herod, 5th century mosaic, Santa Maria Maggiore
Mosaic of Adoration of the Magi, Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
The Adoration of the Magi, 5th century mosaic, Santa Maria Maggiore
Adoration of the Magi, mosaic by Pietro Cavallini, Santa Maria in Trastevere, Rome
The Adoration of the Magi by Pietro Cavallini (c.1250-c.1330), Santa Maria in Trastevere
Relief of the Adoration of the Magi, 4th century sarcophagus, Vatican Museums, Rome
The Adoration of the Magi, 4th century sarcophagus, Vatican Museums
4th century bas-relief of the Adoration of the Magi, Vatican Museums, Rome
4th century bas-relief of the Adoration of the Magi, Vatican Museums
Relief of the Adoration of the Magi by Pier Paolo Olivieri, Caetani Chapel, Santa Pudenziana, Rome
The Adoration of the Magi (1599) by Pier Paolo Olivieri (1551-99), Santa Pudenziana

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    Walking Tours For Discerning Travellers

    My name is David Lown and I am an art historian from Cambridge, England. Since 2001 I have lived in Italy, where I run private and
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  • Home
  • Private Tours
  • Contact
  • Rome
  • St Peter's Basilica
    • Altars >
      • Altar of St Joseph
      • Altar of St Gregory the Great
      • Altar of the Madonna of Succour
      • Altar of St Sebastian
      • Altar of the Lie
      • Altar of the Presentation of the Virgin
      • Altar of St Jerome
      • Altar of the Transfiguration
      • Altar of Pope Leo the Great
    • Monuments >
      • Countess Matilda of Canossa
      • Maria Clementina Sobieska
      • Queen Christina of Sweden
      • Pope Innocent VIII
      • Pope Paul III
      • Pope Gregory XIII
      • Pope Gregory XIV
      • Pope Leo XI
      • Pope Urban VIII
      • Pope Alexander VII
      • Pope Clement X
      • Pope Innocent XI
      • Pope Alexander VIII
      • Pope Innocent XII
      • Pope Benedict XIV
      • Pope Clement XIII
      • Pope Pius VII
      • Pope Leo XII
      • Pope Pius VIII
      • Pope Gregory XVI
      • Pope Pius X
      • Pope Benedict XV
      • Pope Pius XI
      • Pope Pius XII
      • Pope John XXIII
      • The Stuarts
    • Portico >
      • Door of Death
      • Door of Good and Evil
      • Central Door
      • Door of the Sacraments
      • Holy Door
    • Pieta
    • Chapel of the Blessed Sacrament
    • Cathedra Petri
    • Crossing >
      • Baldacchino
      • Confessio
      • Dome
      • St Longinus
      • St Helena
      • St Veronica
      • St Andrew
    • St Peter
    • Chapel of the Choir
    • Chapel of the Baptistery
    • Nave
  • Sistine Chapel
    • North Wall
    • South Wall
    • East Wall
    • Ceiling: Part One >
      • Ceiling: Part Two
      • Ceiling: Part Three
    • The Last Judgement
  • Fountains
    • Trevi Fountain
    • Fontana della Barcaccia
    • Fountain of the Triton
    • Fountain of the Bees
    • Fountain of Moses
    • Fountain of the Four Rivers
    • Fountain of the Acqua Paola
    • Fountain of the Turtles
    • Fountain of the Naiads
    • Fountain of the Cannonball
    • Piazza del Popolo
    • Fountain of the Pantheon
    • Fountains of Piazza Farnese
    • Fountain of Goddess Roma
    • Rioni Fountains
    • Street Fountains
    • Venice Marries the Sea
    • St Peter's Square
    • Fountain of the Moor
    • Fountain of Neptune
    • Fountain of the Porter
    • Fountain of the Seahorses
  • Gallery
    • Piazzas >
      • Piazza del Campidglio
      • Piazza del Quirinale
      • Piazza del Popolo
      • Piazza di Spagna
      • Piazza Navona
      • Piazza S. M. in Trastevere
      • Piazza San Pietro
    • Mosaics
    • Fountains
    • Churches
    • Ancient Rome
    • Palaces
    • Domes
    • Papal Coats of Arms
    • Street Shrines
    • Old Photographs
    • Borromini & the Baroque
  • Images of the Eternal City