Civilisations

Mary Beard looks at how art has been used for centuries to glorify gods

Mary Beard looks at how art has been used for centuries to glorify gods.

She begins in India, at the Ajanta caves, where 6th-century monks painted the story of Buddha’s search for enlightenment.

At the same time, in Ravenna, Italy, the Christian church was bringing alive the image of the Holy Trinity in the form of ornate mosaics in the San Vitale Basilica.

A treat for the eyes and soul.