The Rape of
Dinah
5th century, with
medieval and modern restorations
Mosaic
Nave,
Santa Maria Maggiore, Rome
Jacob pretends to negotiate with Sichem, son of Hemor, regarding the
rape of Dinah, eliciting a promise that he will marry her and that he
and his people will be circumcised. But his plan is to kill them all
while they are recovering from the pain of circumcision. See Genesis
34 (cached).
This
is part of the
extensive series of Old Testament scenes portrayed in mosaics along the
two walls of the nave. Click here for
links to several of the others.
More of Jacob
Photographed at the
site by Richard Stracke