Early Christian and Byzantine ArchitectureArchitectural HistoryACT 322Doris Kemp

TopicsEarly Christian ArchitectureRome Structures Structures in the Holy LandsMilan StructuresRavenna StructuresStructures in Greece, Syria, and the Rhineland

Early Christian ArchitectureThe most crucial period of Christianity was the first three centuries A.D.Officially recognized as the state religion of Rome in 326 A.D. by the Roman Emperor ConstantineReplaced Paganism First Christian architecture was modest in scope and served two needs:Provided a space for spiritual needs of the livingProvided a burial place for the dead

Early Christian ArchitectureEarly Christian meeting places were actually set-up in preexisting apartments or homesThese locations were known as titilusMost were rebuilt into full scale churchesBest known early Christian architecture are the burial places, known as catacombsEarly Christians were quite poorBurial was provided in individual shelf tombs or private family chambersUsually located beneath churches

Early Christian ArchitectureOpen air cemeteries were also in existenceActually preferred over the dreary catacombsVatican HillModest monument of the late second century Said to have marked the grave of Saint PeterNow occupied by the church of Saint Peter

Early Christian Architecture:Rome and the Holy LandRoman StructuresLateranConstantine donated this structure to be seat of the Bishop of Rome (The Pope)Built around 313 A.D., prior to the official establishment of Christianity in RomeThe first important Christian structure in RomeHas been rebuilt, leaving only its foundations and historical evidence as to its original form

Early Christian Architecture:Rome and the Holy LandRoman Structures(Old) St. Peters ChurchConsidered the most important basilican church built by ConstantineBuilding began around 333 A.D.Located on the slope of the Vatican Hill in RomeCovers a cemetery and features a shrine to Saint Peter, whom is presumably buried there

Early Christian Architecture:Rome and the Holy LandPhoto: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture:Rome and the Holy LandStructures in the Holy LandsConstantine also built many structures in the Holy Lands Church of the NativityBuilt in Bethlehem as a shrine to honor ChristReplaced in the sixth century A.D. with the modern structureVery similar to St. Peters but on a much smaller scale

Early Christian Architecture:Rome and the Holy LandPhoto: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture:Rome and the Holy LandStructures in the Holy LandsChurch of the Holy SepulcherBuilt to honor the burial place of ChristMore elaborate than the Church of the NativityHad been instructed by Constantine to be a basilica more beautiful than any on EarthSurrounded the Holy SepulcherBelieved to be the burial place of Christ

Early Christian Architecture:Rome and the Holy LandPhoto: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture:Rome and the Holy LandStructures in the Holy LandsAnastasis RotundaLocated in JerusalemBuilt to honor the resurrection of ChristMiddle Age representations of Christs tomb are almost all based on this structureBuilt by Constantine, or possibly his sons, in the fourth century A.D.An addition to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Early Christian Architecture:Rome and the Holy LandPhoto: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture:Milan and RavennaMilanEmerged as a major architectural center in the early Christian periodAfter Constantine moved the seat of the Roman Empire to Constantinople (modern day Istanbul), Milan became the capitol of the Western Empire, replacing Rome.A number of important churches were built after Milan was recognized as the spiritual capitol of the West

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and RavennaStructures in MilanChurch of the Holy ApostlesSt. Ambrose laid out the design of this churchA huge, cross-shaped structureHoused relics of the apostles in a silver casket beneath the main altar

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and RavennaStructures in MilanChurch of S. LorenzoBuilt around 370 A.D.Most scholars believe that it was used as the official chapel of the Imperial Palace in MilanBased on a Constantinian model

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and RavennaPhoto: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and RavennaRavennaIn 402, Emperor Honorius transferred the Western Capitol from Milan to RavennaRavenna became the residence of the Ostrogoth king Theodoric and his followersMaintained close contact with Byzantine East (the Eastern Empire based in Constantinople)Gained much influence from the East ion architecture

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and RavennaStructures in RavennaMausoleum of Galla PlacidiaBuilt around 425 A.D.Featured a cross-shaped planSmall but perfectly preservedPhoto: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and RavennaPhoto: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and RavennaStructures in RavennaOrthodox BabtisteryBuilt between 400 450 A.DFeatured a wealth of internal ornamentation on the wall surfacesUncommon at this timeFeatures a dome overhead that depicts the baptism of Christ

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and RavennaPhoto: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and RavennaStructures in RavennaTomb of King TheodoricReflects the unique political and cultural status of Ravenna during this time periodFeatures a two storied interiorCruciform chamber belowCircular structure aboveProbably required laborers from Syria who, at the time, were the only people versed in the technique of massive ashlar construction

Early Christian Architecture: Milan and RavennaPhoto: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture:Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandStructures in Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandHagios DemetriosSalonika, GreeceConsidered the most imposing early Christian church in the Greek-speaking eastern MediterraneanHas been restored after a fire in 1917 A.D.

Early Christian Architecture:Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandPhoto: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture:Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandStructures in Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandSt. Simeon StylitesLocated in Qalat Siman, SyriaBuilt around 470 Constructed of heavy ashlar masonryGrandiose in size, but simple in scheme

Early Christian Architecture:Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandPhoto: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture:Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandStructures in Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandChurch in Qalb LouzehLocated in SyriaBuilt around 500 A.D.Hints at the beginnings of the Romanesque style of architecture

Early Christian Architecture:Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandPhoto: Sullivan

Early Christian Architecture:Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandStructures in Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandThe early Christian structures in the Rhineland laid the foundations for later Medieval architectureRhineland maintained close architectural ties with MilanSt. GereonLocated in CologneOriginally constructed as a double cathedralUnderwent major reconstruction in 380

Early Christian Architecture:Greece, Syria, and the RhinelandPhoto: Sullivan

ReferencesSullivan, Mary; http://www.bluffton.edu/~sullivanm/http://www.brynmawr.edu/Acads/Cities/wld/wdpt1.htmlTrachtenburg/Hyman; Architecture: From Prehistory to PostmodernityWodehouse/Moffett; A History of Western Architecture

Early Christian and Byzantine ArchitectureArchitectural HistoryACT 322Doris Kemp