Sol Invictus - retailer From an Ancient Roman Altar - 12x12" Canvas Wall Art

retailer This wonderful carved stone image of Sol Invictus, the ancient Roman Sun God, is a great addition to any room or sacred space!

Sol Invictus (The "Unconquered Sun") was the official sun god of the later Roman Empire and a patron of soldiers. On 25 December AD 274, the Roman emperor Aurelian made the worship of Sol Invictus an official part of ancient Roman religion. December 25 remained the "Birthday of the Sun" until adopted by Christianity as Christmas.

Sol Invictus was favored by emperors after Aurelian and appeared on their coins until the last third-part of the reign of Constantine I. The last inscription referring to Sol Invictus dates to AD 387, and there were still enough devotees to Sol Invictus that in the fifth century that the Christian theologian Augustine found it necessary to preach against them.

This images is a carved relief from a 1st Century AD Roman Altar, and shows Sol Invictus with the Roman Eagle.

This 12x12" canvas image is wrapped on a 1.5" deep canvas frame, ready for wall hanging and wide enough for standing display.