The magnificent artwork painted on the ceiling of the Catacomb of SS. Peter and Marcellinus in Rome was created between the late 3rd and early 4th century. This painting, which is known as, “the Good Shepherd, Orants, and the Story of Jonah”, depicts a central medallion (a round compartment) and four semicircular lunettes that are framed by arches (Stokstad & Cothren, 2014). Illustrated in the artwork is the story of Jonah and the sea monster, which is from the Hebrew Bible and is later reinterpreted by Christians as a parable of Christ’s death and resurrection in order to provide the incentive of everlasting life that is provided to true believers.
In the story the artwork portrays, God throws Jonah overboard at sea (the left image) and