[NYer]

Partial view of the Chapel of Theodotus with a painting scheme dedicated to the life of the Martyrsaints Quirico e Giulitta. To the right of the niche, bedding mortars for an Opus Sectile, dating to late Antiquity (4th-5th century) are visible. On the higher parts of the walls are fragments, probably belonging to the first decoration of the space, at the time of Emperor Domitian (81-96 AD).

The end wall is dominated by the niche containing a monumental Crucifixion. Without the narrative context it becomes an icon showing the human and divine natures of Christ combined. His human body suffers death while the divinity causes the earth to tremble at that precise moment (Matt. 27,51).

[NYer]

Partial view of the presbytery with the palimpsest wall in the centre. On all walls of the presbytery there are plasters belonging to a late antique decoration of the monument, on which were applied wall paintings at different periods. In the foreground, the early medieval flooring in Opus Alexandrinum is visible.
(Notice the altar design and position)

Additional Resources:

History from antiquity until the year 847 A.D.
Santa Maria Antiqua

[The_Reader_David]

Christ is Risen! Christos Anesti! Christus Resurrexit!

Paschal greetings to our separated Latin bretheren.

Um . . . can we have that church back? Just look at it, it's obviously one of ours. :-)====

(Orthodox monastic smiley, for those who don't recognize it.)

[the OlLine Rebel]

Thank you so much, NYer! This is awesome.

****He is Alive****

[Romulus]

The crucifixion painting depicts the Lord wearing the royal colobium, a distinctive feature of Syriac iconography, notably the Rabbala gospels. Many of these paintings date from the 8th century and may have come from the hands of eastern iconographers, refugees from Islam in Palestine and iconoclasm in Constantinople.

Here's a view of the famous "palimpsest" painting: the oldest portion, that of the Virgin enthroned as Seat of Wisdom (arrayed in Byzantine court fashion) dates from the time of Justinian and recalls San Vitale in Ravenna.

[k omalley]

Thanks so much NYer! Now I have one more good reason to go back to Rome.