In the Church of the Apostles in Madaba, a medallion at the center of the carpet, 2.2 m in diameter, is decorated with a personification of the Sea (Thalassa), represented as a woman emerging from the waves. The figure is a half bust with part of the breast uncovered and loose hair framing the oval of her wide-eyed face; her right hand is raised and bracelets adorn the wrist and upper arm. Her left shoulder is draped and above it rises a rudder on a shaft, like a standard. Around her leap multi-colored fish, a jellyfish, a sea monster and two sharks with open jaws and very pronounced fins and tails on their flashing bodies. This personification was borrowed from the classical depiction of the goddes Thetis rising from the waves. -- Piccirillo p38
