Discuss how the "union of the political and spiritual spheres" is demonstrated in the two San Vitale mosaics—one depicting Justinian, the other depicting Theodora

What will be an ideal response?

Essay responses should include these points:
• The mosaic featuring Justinian and Theodora portrays them as "saintly," implying the union of politics and divinity.
• The Early Christian viewer might have understood this as a connection of political propaganda to religious dogma.
• Justinian and Theodora are pictured as political figures in the midst of religious observation and practice (the Eucharist)
• Justinian is shown with a halo
• Justinian specifically holds a paten in reference to the Eucharist
• Guards flanking Justinian hold shields with symbols of Chi Rho, implying a connection to the military power of Justinian's military aligned with God
• Theodora occupies a space that is "niched" to suggest it is not within this physical realm, otherworldly