Un programme iconographique occidental pour le pavement médiéval de l'église du Christ Pantocrator de Constantinople

Abstract

The pavement in Constantinople's Christ Pantocrator church is a particularly rich example of Byzantine medieval mosaic floor decoration. It was made around 1118 –1136 at the end of the construction of the church commissioned by John ii Comnenus. The iconography presents the feats of Samson, a cycle of zodiac signs, animals including a hunting scene and fishes, the seasons, and diverse vegetation. The iconography is characteristic of the medieval Romanesque mosaic pavements in the West. This study attempts to understand the cultural motives for these choices.