Vision of the Cross

Photogallery

Vision of the Cross
Vision of the Cross
Hall of Constantine

The Vision of the Cross describes the premonition Constantine had before the battle against Maxentius, according to which his army would achieve victory over its adversaries if it substituted the imperial eagles on its insignia with the symbol of the cross, thus officially recognising the new religion.
At the top, the heavenly apparition with the Christian emblem of salvation, accompanied by the motto: "IN HOC SIGNO VINCES - IN THIS SIGN YOU WILL WIN" (here in the Greek version "ἘΝ ΤΟΎΤῼ ΝΊΚΑ"); below, the soldiers listening to the emperor's word, ordering them to raise their banners ("Adlocutio"). Note the view of Rome (on the right in the background), with the reconstruction of the ancient monuments.