Art in the Ancient World LECTURE 6 | Art of the Early Christians A U G U S T I N E C O L L E G E 4 BC birth of Jesus of Nazareth – the Incarnation 30 AD death of Jesus of Nazareth – the Crucifixion & Resurrection of Christ 48–60 writing of the Epistles 60–85 writing of the Gospels 64 fire in Rome & persecution of Christians begins under Nero 250–60 persecution of Christians by Decius & Valerian 303 persecution of Christians by Diocletian The Tetrarchy, 293 AD The spread of Christianity “Christian art is art produced in an attempt to illustrate, supplement, & portray in tangible form the principles of Christianity.” Christian baptistery in a house at Dura-Europos, Syria 3rd C Arcosolium in a cubiculum Catacomb of St. Marcellus, Rome | 2nd to 3rd C Priscilla St. Marcellus St. Callixtus St. Commodilla Location of catacombs in Rome 2nd to 3rd C Praying Woman (Deceased in ‘orans’ posture) Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome | 200–400 Jonah Cast Up 3rd-C sculpture from Asia Minor ΙΧΘΥ Σ i c h t h y s f i s h І Χ Θ Υ Σ Іησους Χριστος Θεος Υίος Σωτηρ JESUS CHRIST GOD SON SAVIOUR Jesus is the Greek form of Jesus is Christ the Hebrew - the Greek Jesus Christ is Jesus is also name Joshua translation of Jesus is God the Saviour of the Son of God which means the Hebrew the world ‘The Lord word Messiah saves’ Mat 1:20-21 Mat 16:13-20 John 1:1-4 John 1:32-34 Rom 10:9-10 Moses Adam & Eve Good Shepherd Jonah Catacomb of female orant figure Priscilla, Rome 2nd to 3rd C Catacomb of Priscilla, Rome 2nd to 3rd C ΧΡΙΣΤΟΣ C h r i s t o s C h r i s t Anointed one Loculus slab of a Roman catacomb marked with Christogram (Chi-Rho) & victory wreath Christ with Sts. Peter & Paul & Other Christian Followers Catacomb of Sts. Marcellinus & Peter, Rome 2nd half of 4th C Christ with Sts. Peter & Paul & Other Christian Followers Catacomb of Sts. Marcellinus & Peter, Rome 2nd half of 4th C Christ with Sts. Peter & Paul & Other Christian Followers Catacomb of Sts. Marcellinus & Peter, Rome 2nd half of 4th C .