Galla Placidia of Ravenna was a powerful Byzantine noblewoman, one of
the super-rich of her day. However, in spite of that, she recognised that she
was not immortal.
She devoted time and energy to reconciling herself to the prospect of
death. Her technique was to build the most exquisite tomb.
She commandeered a small octagonal chapel to St Lawrence in the precincts of the church of San Vitale. Inside she lined it with the most exquisite mosaics, especially of doves. The high point was the deep blue dome lined with a mass of gold stars. And so that St Lawrence would forgive her, she included his image too.
For her body to rest in she commissioned a solemn marble sarcophagus. A warm yellow light penetrated the interior through veined alabaster windows.
If anything might make you ready to meet eternity, it would be this mausoleum.
Yet the history books relate that Galla Placidia died unexpectedly while
on a trip to Rome, many miles away, so her remains are unlikely ever to have rested
inside.
To paraphrase John Lennon, death is what happens when you're making
other plans.
Yet arguably, the tomb still did its job. It must have helped Galla Placidia to anticipate death with equanimity.
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