"Archaeologists have uncovered one of the earliest-known images of Jesus in the town of Cástulo in Andalusia, Spain. The image, engraved on a glass plate known as a paten, shows a beardless, short-haired Jesus.
The archaeologists estimate the 8.6-inch paten is from the fourth century A.D., and they suspect it was used to hold Eucharistic bread. The image shows Jesus in a philosopher's toga, along with two other — also beardless — male figures, whom researchers suspect are Peter and Paul, two of Jesus' apostles. All three of the men are depicted with halos. "The scene takes place in the celestial orb, framed between two palm trees, which in Christian iconography represent immortality, the afterlife, and heaven, among other things," the archaeologists said in a statement.
The paten is the earliest depiction that has been found in Spain, Discovery News reports, and it is "in an excellent state of preservation," with 81 percent of its original contents restored. The paten is now on display at the Archaeological Museum of Linares." TheWeek
So by looking at the pic---one can see that the iconography of the sun disk (halo) behind the head was already coming into vogue (which was related to sun worship) & this in ancient "Spain" in the 300's A.D., which means shortly after Constantine.
The archaeologists estimate the 8.6-inch paten is from the fourth century A.D., and they suspect it was used to hold Eucharistic bread. The image shows Jesus in a philosopher's toga, along with two other — also beardless — male figures, whom researchers suspect are Peter and Paul, two of Jesus' apostles. All three of the men are depicted with halos. "The scene takes place in the celestial orb, framed between two palm trees, which in Christian iconography represent immortality, the afterlife, and heaven, among other things," the archaeologists said in a statement.The paten is the earliest depiction that has been found in Spain, Discovery News reports, and it is "in an excellent state of preservation," with 81 percent of its original contents restored. The paten is now on display at the Archaeological Museum of Linares." TheWeek
So by looking at the pic---one can see that the iconography of the sun disk (halo) behind the head was already coming into vogue (which was related to sun worship) & this in ancient "Spain" in the 300's A.D., which means shortly after Constantine.
Then said he unto me, Hast thou seen this, O son of man?
turn thee yet again, and thou shalt see greater abominations than these.......were
about five and twenty men, with their backs toward the temple of the LORD,
and their faces toward the east; and they worshipped the sun toward the east.
Ezekiel 8:15,16