Saint Catherine of Alexandria - Public domain museum image. A statue of a woman sitting on a throne

Saint Catherine, who publicly protested the worship of idols to the emperor Maxentius, is shown here triumphant over him with a sword, the instrument of her martyrdom. The relief originally formed part of an elaborate retable.

St. Catherine of Alexandria was a 4th-century Christian martyr and saint. According to tradition, she was a learned and beautiful woman who converted to Christianity and became a noted defender of the faith. She was imprisoned and subjected to various tortures, including being broken on a wheel, but survived. She is said to have converted the emperor Maxentius to Christianity before her ultimate execution. St. Catherine is the patron saint of philosophers, students, and preachers and is venerated by the Roman Catholic, Orthodox, and Coptic Churches.