Theodoric the Great was an Arian Christian who spent his formative years as a hostage in Constantinople, where he received a comprehensive education that included imperial customs.

[4] Theodoric (known to the Goths as Theuderic, which was Hellenized to Theoderichos) was born into Arian Christianity, as it was the religion practiced by eastern Ostrogoths and western Visigoths in the Balkans.

[5] He came to Constantinople as a foreign hostage of the Roman Empire and spent his formative years receiving an education that included imperial customs and court functions, with the intention of establishing a political alliance through cooperation once he returned to his country.

[6] As an adult, Theodoric proved to be a shrewd politician and military leader, all while maintaining relations with Constantinople, which earned him prestige among other Goths.

[7] The relationship was tenuous at times, as the Goths endured years of insecure movement within the empire as they tried to establish a place to settle through martial actions for themselves.

[11] The cathedral, now called the Church of Spirito Santo, was originally named Hagia Anastasis (Holy Resurrection).

[13] His diplomatic relationship with the Catholic Church in Rome was recorded to be amicable, and at one point, he was requested to adjudicate a dispute regarding the election of the Pope.

[12] Additionally, the church of Sant' Apollinare Nuovo's mosaic depicts the Arian interpretation of Christ's life.

[16] Arian Christianity dictated churches and baptismal facilities to be in separate buildings,[16] so the adjoining cathedral, now known as Spirito Santo, was constructed nearby.

It took the artists several years to complete these mosaics, as can be clearly seen from the different colors of the stones used to depict the grass at the feet of the apostles.

In the Arian Baptistery, the Baptist is depicted on Christ's left at the River Jordan and fully emerges from the water.

[26] The central medallion is encircled by a single band of red and gold and outlined with twin strips of blue, and the frieze that depicts the twelve apostles is inverted in orientation.

[27] The Apostles in the Arian baptistery are clad in simple white and separated by palm trees against a gilded background, whereas the Neonian Baptistery has the Apostles dressed in gold and white, separated by acanthus accompanied by silk drapes against a rich blue background.

[29] The central medallion can be interpreted as a sign, as it resembles an emblem, which the observer would face as they stand under the eastern apse.

[30] Christ is the focus, his navel the literal core of the mosaic, establishing him as a dominant and powerful iconographic figure.

[34] After all, these mosaics survived because they were re-consecrated for Christian use, making it impossible to discern the nature of any removed artwork.

[34] In 565, after the condemnation of Arianism, this small octagonal brick structure was converted into a Chalcedonian oratory named Santa Maria.

[35] Eastern Rite monks added a monastery during the period of the Exarchate of Ravenna and further dedicated the structure to Saint Mary in Cosmedin.

The Allied bombardment of World War II helped clear away other structures which had encroached on it from all sides, enabling researchers to view the details of its exterior for the first time.