Transcript Early Middle Ages - Early Christian and Eastern

Early Middle Ages Map
David & Solomon’s Israel
Early Christian and Eastern
Religions
Five major faiths developed in the Middle
East during and after the collapse of the
Roman Empire :
Judaism
Islam
Christianity
Mithraism
Gnosticism
Early Christian and Eastern
Religions
These faiths all shared several things in common:
Claimed Exclusive Path to Paradise (heaven)
Claimed they were the Only True Faith
Placed Emphasis on Prophecy and Spiritually Revealed
Truth
Offered hope of salvation to those who believed their
truth
Honored a chief Prophet or Messiah
Believed that there was a struggle between good and
evil for man’s soul
Practiced ritual purification or initiation with water
Believed that members should seek out new converts for
their faith (except Judaism)
Early Christian and Eastern
Religions
Only 3 of these 5 have survived although each
one had periods of great success: Christianity,
Islam and Judaism are the great survivors.
Mithraism almost became the official religion of
the Roman Empire – only Constantine’s victory
changed that
Gnosticism was a variant of Christianity that
survived into the 1200s in France where it was
eventually wiped out by Papal Christianity in a
series of Crusades and the creation of the
Inquisition.
Judaism
2000 BCE – Abraham is called from Ur in Mesopotamia to Canaan by
Yahweh
1600 BCE – Hebrews leave Canaan for Egypt
1250 BCE – Moses and Hebrews leave Egypt (Exodus) and return to
Canaan
1000 BCE – Israelites establish a monarchy under Saul – the 1st Hebrew
King
1000 – 961 BCE – David is King
961 – 922 BCE – Solomon is King
922 BCE – Kingdom splits into 2 – Israel and Judah
722 BCE – Israel falls to the Assyrians
600 BCE – Hebrew Torah and other Holy writings are compiled into their
final form
587 BCE – Judah falls to Chaldaeans under Nebuchadnezzar II and the
Hebrews are enslaved and taken to Babylon (Babylonian Captivity)
Judaism/Christianity
539 BCE – Persians conquer Chaldaeans and
return Hebrews to homeland
4 BCE – Birth of Jesus Christ
26-29 CE – Public career of Jesus Christ
29 CE – Crucifixion of Christ under Pontius
Pilate
34 CE – Stephen is the first Christian martyr –
stoned to death
200 CE – Rome becomes the center of the
Christian faith
Christianity
307 – 337 CE – Reign of Constantine the Great
313 CE – Edict of Milan is issued by Constantine
legalizing Christianity
325 CE – Council of Nicea establishes Nicene
Creed and Orthodox Christianity – all other
forms of Christianity are made heresies.
376 CE – Western Roman Empire is invaded by
the Huns under Attila
395 CE – The Edict of Theodosius is issued
making Christianity the only legal religion in the
Roman Empire - Roman Empire splits into east
and west at Theodosius’ death
395 CE – The beginning of the reliquary trade
Similarities with old faiths
Osiris (Egypt)– died and resurrected, born December 25
Adonis (Phoenician/Greek) – born in Bethlehem, died and
resurrected, forgave sins
Tammuz (Sumerian) – died, spent 3 days in hell, and resurrected.
Inanna (Ishtar), his wife, went to his tomb to discover it empty, virgin
birth
Hercules (Greek/Roman) – born of Zeus and human virgin, called
“Prince of Peace”
Mithras (Persian) – born December 25, virgin birth and Sun god was
his father, died and rose 3 days later, crucified on a tree, birth
witnessed by shepherds and Magi who brought him gifts, performed
many miracles (gave sight, made walk, etc), had a last supper with
12 disciples with bread and wine, sins forgiven
Baal (Canaan) – storm god who dies and resurrects with help from
his wife
Marduk (Assyrian); Attis (Persian); Dionysius (Greek); Melquart
(Babylonian); and Eshmun (Philistine) – all were gods who died and
resurrected 3 days later
Judaica
Menorahs & Ark of the
Covenant
3rd century CE
Rome, Italy
Painting
Found inside a Jewish
catacomb
Shows key Hebrew
religious symbols – yet
very similar to other types
of art also being
commissioned in Rome
Synagogue Interior - Wall paintings of Old Testament scenes
Ca. 245-256
Dura Europos, Syria
Painting - tempera on plaster
Similar in style to Roman work
Judaic Art
Ark of the Covenant in the Temple of Dagon
Synagogue Interior - Wall paintings of Old Testament scenes
Judaica
The Consecration of
the Tabernacle
245-256 CE
Dura-Europos, Syria
Painting
Early Jewish art
usually focused on
the Temple and its
functions
Judaica
Isaiah Scroll (Dead Sea Scrolls)
1st century BCE
Qumran, Israel
Illuminated Manuscript
This early version of the Book of Isaiah is exactly the
same as modern ones
Early Middle Ages - Eastern
Religious Art
Mithras Slaying the
Sacred Bull
150 – 200
Rome, Italy
Relief Sculpture
The Mithraic cult focused
on the sun, good vs. evil
and Mithras – a god who
was killed and rose again
3 days later and was born
on December 25
Early Christian Art Characteristics
Decay in style
Religious themes are the focus
Substance over style
Basilica main form of church building
The subject matter and story are what’s
important not the artist or skill
Baptistery from Christian Community House
Ca. 240-258
Dura Europos, Syria
Architecture/Painting
Baptism was done in homes before churches developed
Early Christian Art
Interior of Old St.
Peter’s
C. 324 – 400 CE
Rome, Italy
Architectural Plan
This drawing was
done by Jacopo
Grimaldi in 1619
Shows typical
Christian basilica
style church plan
1. Nave
2. Aisles
3. Apse
4. Transept
5. Narthex (Porch)
6. Atrium
Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (plan)
Rome, Italy
Architectural Plan
Parts of basilica
Early Christian Art
Interior of Santa Maria
Maggiore
430 – 440 CE
Rome, Italy
Architecture
The first church built
dedicated to Mary
Most of the interior is in
its original state including
the art work
Upon entering the eye is
immediately drawn to the
altar
Santa Sabina
Ca. 422-432
Rome, Italy
Architecture
Typical early Christian basilica style with plain interior and plain exterior
Santa Sabina – Interior
Interiors still received more detail than exteriors, continuing Roman tradition
– though certainly not as much as the Romans did
Santa Costanza
ca. 337-351
Rome, Italy
Architecture
Originally a tomb for the saint, it eventually became a church
The round church developed from the Roman mausoleum
Early Christian Art
Santa Costanza
350 CE
Rome, Italy
Architecture
Although most churches were
based on the basilica plan,
some were built on circular
plans similar to the tombs of
the emperors, especially if it
contained the relics of an
important saint
Here the Emperor
Constantine’s sister (Santa
Costanza) was placed
The circular plan would see
wider use as baptisteries
Longitudinal Section
Santa Costanza
Architectural Plan
Plan
Santa Costanza vault mosaic
ca. 337-351
Rome, Italy
Mosaic
Different Bible and pagan stories mixed
Christ as Sol Invictus
from the Mausoleum of the Julii
Late 3rd century
Rome, Italy
Mosaic
Christ drives Apollo’s chariot of the sun
Early Christian Art
Jesus the Good
Shepherd
3rd century CE
Rome, Italy
Sculpture
Large scale
sculptures are rare in
early Christian art
Shows Christ
beardless and in
Roman garb
Early Christian Art
Sarcophagus of Junius
Bassus
359 CE
Rome, Italy
Sculpture/Relief
Early Christian sculpture
focused on Biblical
themes as well
Note the doll like bodies
with large heads
Note beardless Christ
again, in Greek
philosopher pose and
garb
Christ Entering Jerusalem
Christ Enthroned
Christ Enthroned
ca. 350-375
Rome, Italy
Sculpture
approximately 2 ft. 4 1/2 in. high
Jesus sits on an imperial throne in togata
Catacomb showing loculi (spots for
tombs)
3rd-4th centuries CE
Rome, Italy
Architecture
Catacombs were also used as early meeting
places for Christians before it became legal
Early Christian Art
Catacomb of Santissimi
Pietro e Marcellino
Ceiling
4th century CE
Rome, Italy
Painting/Architecture
All the earliest Christian
art can be found in
underground catacombs
like this one
Catacombs were burial
places underneath the
city – usually on the
outskirts
Good Shepherd from the Catacomb of
Pietro and Marcellino
early 4th century
Rome, Italy
Painting - fresco
Note beardless and in Roman clothing, similar
in pose to Apollo again
Orant figure (Praying woman)
3th century
Rome, Italy
Painting - fresco
The early Church had female leaders as well
Early Christian Art
Mausoleum of Galla Placida
425 – 450 CE
Ravenna, Italy
Archtecture
Named after the Emperor
Honorius’ sister who was
believed to be buried here
Form of building is a Greek
cross – even lengths on all
arms
Early Christian Art
Interior of Mausoleum of
Galla Placida
425 – 450 CE
Ravenna, Italy
Mosaic
Interior is full of barrel
vaulting
Walls are covered in
bright mosaics
Most tell of St Lawrence’s
life – leads many to
believe that this was a
chapel dedicated to him
Early Christian Art
Early Christian Art
Good Shepherd
425-450
Ravenna, Italy
Mosaic
Located in the tomb of
Galla Placida this mosaic
shows us a beardless
Christ acting as a
shepherd tending his
flock (allegory)
Halo is used to show
importance not for
holiness (that came later)
Saint Apollinare Nuovo
504
Ravenna, Italy
Architecture
Bell tower added to call faithful to service
Still extremely plain exteriors although
interiors have grown more extravagant
Saint Apollinare Nuovo – Interior
504
Ravenna, Italy
Architecture
All original interior no additions, only restorations over the years
The Three Wise Men (The Magi)
504
Ravenna, Italy
Mosaic
Mosaics became a crucial church decoration
Basilica Plan
Interior Space
This is a typical basilica /cathedral floor plan. Keep in mind that each
structure is different and may depart from this basic plan in some
ways.......however, the key elements (labeled below) are pretty much
common to most all structures.
The APSE is typically the rounded end of the nave, but can also be any
rounded appendage springing off the sides of a floor plan. Sometimes,
apses take the form of mini-altars to various saints.
The NAVE is the long, central aisle that goes down the middle of the
structure.
The AISLES border each side of the nave, and are usually separated
from the nave by a colonnade.
The TRANSEPT cuts across between the apse and the nave. (The
transept gives the floor plan the shape of the cross.)
The CHOIR is the area where the nave and the transept intersect,
where (you guessed it) the choir usually sits.
The NARTHEX (not labeled) is the entrance area on the opposite side
of the front apse.......it's sometimes shaped like the transept, although
not as large.
Basilica Plan
Vienna Genesis
Early 6th century
Syria
Illuminated Manuscript - tempera, gold, silver
on purple vellum
12 1/4 x 9 1/4 in.
Best example of early Illuminated Manuscript
Genesis chapter 32
Vienna Genesis
Jacob travels to meet Esau
Jacob travels over the Jabbok brook
Jacob wrestles with the Angel
Jacob blessed by the Angel
Jacob’s 11 sons
The end – next … Byzantine