| Ravenna:
One of the Most Fascinating Cities of Italy
The city was actually
the last capital of the Western Roman Empire
and it retains many unique remains of its
glorious imperial past as a Byzantine city
where emperors once reigned in glorious splendor.
But today Ravenna is also the most important
oil and gas industrial center in the whole
Mediterranean.
Culture and technology are the hallmarks of
this modern-ancient city that now, every two
years since 1993 acts as host to the Offshore
Mediterranean Conference. This is an event
that has contributed to the town's growing
reputation as an important location for hearing
about the latest technological developments,
making contacts and, in general, doing business
in the offshore petroleum industry.
Highlights
of Ravenna's history
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Ravenna is
located 10 Km (6 Miles) away from the coast.
But twenty centuries ago it was a well known
port chosen as the base for the Roman Empire
fleet on 'the upper sea'. The port could
shelter up to 250 ships.In the 4th century
A.D. Theodosius, one of the greatest Emperors
of the Roman Empire died in Milan. The Empire
was divided between his two sons: to Arcadius
was given theEastern Empire with capital
Constantinople, to Honorius the Western
Empire with capital Milan (Milan had previously
become the capital owing to its better strategic
position than Rome).Honorius, alarmed by
the progress of Alaric in the North of Italy,
transferred his court to Ravenna situated
in a lagoon and thus easier to defend.In
402 A.D. Ravenna was the capital of the
Roman Western Empire.n In 476 A.D. Odoacer
deposed the last Roman Western Emperor and
sent the Imperial Colours to Constantinople.After
that period, Ravenna saw: Byzantine dominations,
papal principalities, Venetian armies,...Today
Ravenna is well known for the offshore industry.
Once more Ravenna's future is the sea.
The
Mosaics of Ravenna
(5
th and 6 th century A.D.)
Ravenna's mosaics are the
splendid culmination of the artistic experiences
of the West and East. There is no finer
way than with glazed tiles, so sensitive
to refracted light, to express the consolidation
of the Christian faith in Imperial society
and emphasise a whole series of abstract
representations in a precious, rarefied
atmosphere. The refined naturalism of the
Hellenistic-Roman school is fused and amalgamated
with the harmonious accuracy and geometrical,
stylised decorativism of oriental heritage.
Later, in the course
of the 6 th century, the vast range of chromatic
shadings began to diminish gradually until
they were almost submerged by the sparkling,
uniform glitter of gold. On the other hand,
a golden background is appropriate for the
almost magical representation of concepts
and episodes and harmonizes beautifully with
the power and splendour of the Court of Byzantium. |
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