The Official style incorporates not only the formal architectonic and decorative elements, but also the all-important iconographic programme. The decoration of different areas of the building according to different elements of the ruler’s objectives helped to publicise the emperor’s, or the Pope’s, religious, social or political programmes. Beside the mythological heroes, the virtues of the ruler were also symbolised in order to present him as the defender of Christianity and underline the attributes of a good and successful reign.