| The Peacock as Celestial Transport
In Roman art, the peacock was shown in scenes of apotheosis, bearing the imperial ladies to heaven; for Christians, the splendid bird denoted immortality. The spread plumage of the peacock’s tail, with many “eyes” on the feathers, evoked the vault of heaven.
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Apotheosis of an Imperial Lady
141. On the obverse of an aureus struck during the reign of Domitian, 90 C.E., a peacock is surrounded by the legend DIVI TITI FILLIA (daughter of the deified Titus). London, British Museum. |
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