Historically, the covers of religious texts have been richly decorated. This was especially true in the Byzantine Empire. Christian texts from this period were decorated with the intent to provoke a sense of awe among the faithful, as well as glorify the word of God in the Scriptures. (142 depicting the Bible) The book cover with a cross flanked by cypress trees, part of the Treasury of Zion, is an exquisite example of the decorative covers created for Christian texts in the early Byzantine Empire. (CITATION). The book cover is part of a pair and is currently on display with its identical partner. (page 72 by frazer). Since its discovery in 1963, there have been some questions regarding the panel and whether it was actually created as a book cover. However, evidence suggests that the panel and its companion were not just intended to be used as book covers, but as covers for a Gospel Book that would have been considered particularly important. The Byzantine tradition called for the use of rich materials on book covers, and this cover is no different. Made of silver with gold gilt sections, the book has a sumptuous appearance. The silver surface would have been hammered by the artist (Exxlesiastical newman and lie 78), so the design was created using repoussé and chisel techniques ((lowden pg 24)), creating a three-dimensional surface, similar to a bas-relief. While other book covers would have been secured with nails, the artist created this piece large enough that he could bend its edges over the wood panel of a manuscript cover to secure it, thus leaving the silver panel image uninterrupted by nails. . ((frazer pg 72))The panel is steeped in symbolism. The images on the book cover......in the center of the paper......compared to the other book covers discovered with the treasure of Zion, has very little damage and the gilding is very well preserved, indicating that the the book had probably been rarely handled. ((lowden 29)) This is supported by the large size and greater weight of the panels, as well as the special treatment of fixing the panel to the cover panel without the use of nails. The book that would have been contained behind this cover was most likely not a book to be used in daily liturgical hours, but reserved for use during special masses. Therefore, this book would be important, viewed with greater reverence than a normal biblical text. Although there has been debate over the function of Zion's Treasury panels, evidence indicates that their role as book covers is highly probable. (more sentences, perhaps introducing the role of the church?)