ARC 110 History of Architecture I Module 8 Early Christian & Byzantine Architecture Module Outline •Lecture 27 – Historical Background • Location and period • Social characteristics and beliefs – Architecture of the Civilization • Early Christian Architecture •Lecture 28 • Early Christian Architecture • Byzantine Architecture •Lecture 29 • Byzantine Architecture – Architectural Characteristics • Buildings and other architectural elements • Building materials, construction and technologies • Architectural Organizing principles Learning Outcomes • We should expect to learn the following about the civilization – The evolution of the Christian place of worship and the architecture of the Early Christian periods – Architectural response to religious requirements and worship modes – Byzantine structural and architectural developments and principles – Examples of Byzantine architecture Module 8 Lecture 27 Early Christian & Byzantine Architecture Outline of Lecture • Lecture 27 – Historical Background • Location and period • Social characteristics and beliefs – Architecture of the Civilization • Early Christian Architecture Historical Background Historical Background Location • The Early Christian and Byzantine architecture started in two prominent locations centered at Rome and Byzantium or Constantinople • Early Christian architecture occurred in Rome and in areas around Rome • Byzantine architecture was centered at Byzantium • From the two focal points Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture spread to other areas in the European and Asian region Historical Background Period • The following is a time line of events for the Early Christian and Byzantine period: – 29 A.D. Passing of Isa (AS) and beginning of Christian Religion – 286 A.D. Emperor Diocletian reorganizes the Roman Empire splitting it into two; the Eastern and the Western part – 313 A. D. Emperor Constantine recognizes the Christian religion and adopts it as a state religion Historical Background Period – 324 A.D. Emperor Constantine reunited the Roman Empire with a new capital at Byzantium – 364 A. D. Rome finally splits into two; the Western and Eastern Empire – 476 A. D. Rome is sacked by Visgoth and Vandals – 632 A. D. Muslim begin an advance on the Byzantine empire – 1453 A. D. Byzantium falls to Sultan Muhammad II ending the Byzantine Empire Historical Background Social Characteristics & Beliefs • The Roman Empire and the Christian Religion – The single most important social phenomenon of the early Christian and Byzantine period was the spread and acceptance of the Christian religion –Early – During the period from the first century to the third century after the death of Jesus, Christianity was a secret society – It was considered dangerous and subversive by the government Historical Background Social Characteristics & Beliefs • The Roman Empire and the Christian Religion – Christians met secretly in tombs and private houses – Gradually, however, it spread and became widely accepted in Asia minor and in Rome itself – By the third century, Rome had a population of 50,000 Christians – The religion was tolerated but it was still illegal Historical Background Social Characteristics & Beliefs • The Roman Empire and the Christian Religion – The third century was for the Roman Empire a period of political instability and decline – The Empire was split into a Western and Eastern Empires – In A.D. 313, the Emperor Constantine issued the Edict of Milan making Christianity legal – He also adopted it as a state religion and he became the first Christian emperor Historical Background Social Characteristics & Beliefs • The Roman Empire and the Christian Religion – The acceptance of the religion by the emperor fueled its expansion – It also led to the early development of places of worship for the new religion – Constantine was able to unite the Roman Empire during his reign – He established the capital of the new empire at Byzantium, renamed Constantinople or the city of Constantine – After his death, the Empire was again split Historical Background Social Characteristics & Beliefs • The Roman Empire and the Christian Religion – The Western Empire was sacked by Vandals and Visigoths in 476, leading to its disintegration – The Eastern Empire with Constantinople as its capital survived for a thousand years, – Although the Eastern Empire was not yet "Byzantine" under Constantine, Christianity would become one of its defining characteristics Historical Background Social Characteristics & Beliefs • The Roman Empire and the Christian Religion – The empire was a multinational state – Greek became the everyday language as well as the language of the church and everyday commerce in this empire – The general identity of the Eastern Roman Empire was a combination of Roman statehood, Hellenistic culture and Christian religion Historical Background Social Characteristics & Beliefs • Architecture of the Period – With Christianity widely accepted as a state religion in Rome it was necessary for architecture to respond to the demands of the religion for worship space – Mode of worship was the most important determinant of the form of the church – Requirement for church design was centered on worship and burial Historical Background Social Characteristics & Beliefs • Architecture of the Period – The requirements include: • A path for processional entry and exit of the clergy • An alter area, where the clergy celebrate mass • A space for the segregation of the clergy from the congregation during procession and communion • Burial space Historical Background Social Characteristics & Beliefs • Architecture of the Period – The focus of both Early Christian and Byzantine architecture is on the Christian church – Before the legal recognition of the new faith, Christian places of worship were of necessity inconspicuous with no fixed architectural form – Afterward, however, imposing cult edifices were erected in many parts of the Roman Empire, especially in its major cities – Early Christian builders adapted structures that had been used in the Roman world Historical Background Social Characteristics & Beliefs • Architecture of the Period – The basilica, consisting of a nave flanked by lower aisles and terminated by an apse, was adopted as the standard structure in Christian congregational worship – This was not however the only form adopted – More centralized plans which were of round, polygonal, or cruciform shapes were adopted occasionally – Martyria were erected on sites connected with certain events in the life of Jesus and other places held to be sanctified by the sacrifice of the martyrs Historical Background Social Characteristics & Beliefs • Architecture of the Period – In such buildings the martyrium structure and basilica were combined, creating a new formal synthesis of great significance for Christian religious architecture – Development of the Christian church continued during the Byzantine era – In the Byzantine period focus shifted from the rituals or practices of worship to the building as an embodiment or symbols of the majesty of the faith – Innovative structure was combined with light and decoration to create fascinating interiors Architecture of the Civilization Early Christian Architecture Introduction • The term early Christian architecture refers to the architecture of the early Christian churches of the roman era • This is further divided into two types; the basilica church and the alternative church plans • With Christianity accepted as a state religion in Rome and expanding in influence, it became necessary for architecture to respond to the space demands of the new religion • A building used for Christian worship had to provide a path for the processional entry and exit of the clergy, an alter area, where the clergy celebrated mass, a space for the segregation of the clergy from congregation during the procession and communion Early Christian Architecture Basilica Church Type • Apart from administering to the spiritual needs of the living, some churches also provided burial spaces for the dead • The early churches were generally simple and functional in their design • The emphasis was centered on the act of Christian worship • The architecture of the church that developed was not a completely new style, but the use of available Roman forms to satisfy a new program need • The form chosen for the early church was the Roman basilica Early Christian Architecture Basilica Church Type • It was suitable for use as a church with no serious modification and it could be easily and rapidly built at low cost • The Basilica was also preferred because of the emphasis on participation in mass. • The most common form of the early churches had a rectangular hall with a timber trussed roof • It also had one or two isles on each side of a central nave and an apse at one end facing the principal entrance located at the other end Early Christian Architecture Basilica Church Type • The apse of the basilica was used as a location for the alter • The nave was used as a sitting for the clergy • Common people sat in the isles • The early churches may have a courtyard or atrium in front of it • A fountain is usually located in the center of such an atrium; This was used for baptism Early Christian Architecture Basilica Church Type • Most of the early churches had clerestory lighting • Clerestory windows were developed to give light to the central part of the interior • Gradually, the clerestory windows became a symbol of the transcendence and grace of god • Variations in the character of the