ETIMASIA — Throne with the Gospels (text of Io 10:7–9) and the symbol
of the Holy Spirit. Bronze panel of the imperial door of
S. Sofia (loc. IX) — Costantinopoli.
Contemporary ethics: D. Parodi, *Le problème moral et la philoso-
phie contemporaine, 2nd ed., Parigi 1921; G. Gurwitch, Moral
théorique et science des moeurs, there 1937; M. Wittmann, Die mo-
derne Wertethik, Münster 1940; R. Le Senne, Traité de morale
sénérale, 2nd ed., Parigi 1947 (extensive bibliography); F. Battaglia, Il pro-
blema morale nell'estrienzialismo*, Bologna 1949.
Systematic works on Christian ethics: V. Cathréia, *Moralphilo-
sophie*, 2 vols., Friburgo in Br. 1890–91; Italian translation by E. Tommasi,
Firenze 1913–20; A. Ferretti, Ethica, 3rd ed., Roma 1923; M.
Gillet, La morale et les morales, Parigi 1925; E. De Bruyne,
Ethica, Anversa 1924; Y. Simon, Critique de la connaissance, Pa-
rigé 1934; E. Baudin, Cours de philosophie morale, Parigi 1936;
Fr. Tillmann, *Die philosophische Grundlegung der Katholischen
Sittenlehre, 2 vols., Düsseldorf 1938; J. Leclercq, Les grandes lignes
de la philosophie morale, Lovanio–Parigi 1947; O. Lottin, Prin-
cipes de morale*, Lovanio 1947.
Sofia Vanni-Rovighi
ETIMASIA. – From the Greek ἑτοιμασία = “preparation.” The concept expressed in the verse: “Iustitia et iudicium praeparatio sedis tuae” (Ps. 88:15 and also 9:8) was artistically rendered in the representation of the throne.
A sarcophagus from Tusculum presents at its centre the throne with a cushion on which rests the monogram & enclosed in a crown (Wilpert, Sarcofagi, I, p. 3, fig. 1; II, pp. 323, 328).
In the triumphal arch of S. Maria Maggiore the throne is richly adorned with pearls and sapphires; on the cushion lie the purple mantle and the imperial diadem; on the footstool is the scroll with the seven seals (Apoc. 5:1); at the centre rises the jewelled cross; on either side of the throne are medallions with the busts of the apostles Peter and Paul, who are also represented standing and acclaiming to the right and left of the throne itself (Wilpert, Mosaiken, pls. 70, 72). A similar vision is offered by the mosaic of S. Matrona and S. Priscus near S. Maria Capua Vetere: there, in a lunette, is the jewelled throne; on the cushion rests the scroll with seven seals, while on the backrest sits the haloed dove, with wings outspread; at the sides of the throne are the symbols of the Evangelists John and Matthew, while those of Luke and Mark are in a second lunette; in the third is the bust of Jesus Christ between the two apocalyptic letters, and in the fourth lunette the jewelled Cross (Wilpert, ibid., pls. 76–77).
The Lorsch collection transcribed the following couplet: “In trono sancti Chrisogoni,” in Trastevere: “Sedes celos Dei praefert insignia Christi – quod Patria et Filii creditur honor unus” (G. B. De Rossi, Inscriptiones Christianae urbis Romae, II, 1, Rome 1888, p. 152, no. 27). Thus there is a theophany of the Apocalypse and the elevation of the Son to the right hand of the Father. In Ravenna, in the sixth century, the baptistery of the Orthodox contains in its dome four jewelled thrones with the Cross, the purple and the diadem (insignia Christi); in the baptistery of the Arians, the jewelled throne with cross and purple has the apostles Peter and Paul on either side (Wilpert, Mosaiken, pl. 101).
In Byzantine art the throne appears with the insignia of the Passion, namely the Cross, the lance, the crown of thorns, the sponge and the book. Thus in the mosaic of Torcello (Venice) and in the mosaic of the apse of S. Paolo in Rome.
There is also an etimasia or theophany of the Lamb, as, for example, in the triumphal arch of the basilica of SS. Cosmas and Damian, erected by Felix IV (626–30) in the Roman Forum. The Lamb is seated on the throne, while behind it rises the Cross and on the footstool is placed the scroll with the seven seals (G. Matthiae, SS. Cosma e Damiano e S. Teodoro, Rome 1948, photograph 18). It is also found on the front face of the ivory casket of Samagher (now in the Museum of Pola); later, in the page of the “Bentus” of Gerona devoted to the Cross of Oviedo.