Early Christian Architecture (313-800) PDF

Early Christian Architecture (313‐800) Geographical Christianity has its birth in Judea, Easter province of the Roman Empire. It was carried by St. Peter, St. Paul and other missionaries to Rome, as the center of the World Empire. Early Christian Architecture was influenced by the existing R...

Early Christian Architecture (313‐800) Geographical Christianity has its birth in Judea, Easter province of the Roman Empire. It was carried by St. Peter, St. Paul and other missionaries to Rome, as the center of the World Empire. Early Christian Architecture was influenced by the existing Roman art. Roman empire, AD 117 In terms of the vastness of territory, Rome reach its zenith under the rule of Trajan. Trajan, an Antonine ruler, conquered Dacia (part of modern‐day Romania and Hungary) and Arabia, and won several important victories in Parthia (Iran). Kingdoms of Judah and Israel Despite his desire to unify and improve the vast empire of his father, King David, King Solomon’s oppressive rule caused much dissension among the Israelites and eventually led to the division of the kingdom following his death. The northern part of his realm became kingdom of Israel, while the southern became the kingdom of Judah. Judah under the Hasmonaeans More than 800 years after the initial split between the kingdoms of Israel and Judah, the Hasmonaeans created a new independent nation where they could practice a pure form of Judaism, free from foreign influence. Also called the kingdom of Judah, this nation included many of the earlier boundaries of the kingdom of Israel (900?BC). GEOGOLICAL The ruins of the roman building provided quarry where materials were obtained. This influenced the style for construction, decoration for columns and other architectural features as well as fine sculptures and mosaic from older building which are turned into Basilican churches of the new faith. CLIMATIC The climate condition of the Roman provinces where Christianity was established naturally modified the style. The fierce the sun and hotter climate necessitated small RELIGIOUS Christianity spread out rapidly and was an important factor in the development of early Christian Architecture and inspired the building of some of the greatest architectural monuments. Constantine and Licunus issued their celebrated edict of Milan, giving Christianity equal rights with other religious and Constantine made it the official religion. The purpose of the Christian church was to shelter worshippers who meet for prayer and praise to an unseen god unlike the Greek and Roman temples that are built to house the statues of the deity. SOCIAL AND POLITICAL The Early Christian period is generally taken as lasting from Constantine to the coronation of Charlemagne(800) Constantine was the prime character but was not proclaimed emperor, he removed his empire from Roman to Byzantium and developed a new style of architecture. The succession of emperors in the west came to an end in AD 476, and zeno, who reigned at Constantinople, reunited the western and eastern empires. The liberation of Western Europe from direct imperial control resulted in the development of Romano‐Teofonic civilization, which was facilitated the growth of new states and nationalities, gave new impulse to Christianity and later on, strengthen the power of the bishops of Roman. HISTORICAL The final phase of Roman Architecture from 4th to 6th century is primarily in church building. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER Early Christian Architecture is basically Roman in character but executed it through: 1. Simplicity in design 2. Coarseness in execution Important Features of the Early Christian Architecture  They contributed in the development of ribbed vaulting and arcades and timber trussed roof.  They used bell tower or campanile in their exterior  They had either closely spaced columns carrying the entablature (trabeated) or more widely spaced column carrying semi‐circular arches known as archivolt  They were usually with three to five aisles covered by simple trussed roof.  They used long rows of off‐repeated columns from entry to sanctuary for a long church appearance.  An arch of triumph (transition through death to life eternal) gave entrance to sanctuary with the high altar at the corner. Examples of early Christian Structures Chief Example: Basilican Churches There is a general rule in the construction of a basilican church, it should be built right over the burial place of the saint to whom the church was dedicated and over this burial place of the saint to whom the church was dedicated and over this burial place, crypt or confession was the high altar covered by a ciborium also known as tabernacle or baldochino/Baldacchino. Modeled from Roman halls of Justice Evolved from roman dwelling houses Baldacchino Parts of the Basilican church 1. Atrium‐ open rectangular forecourt, surrounded b arcades which formed as the approach to the church with a fountain at the center, containing water used for “ablation” (a form of cleansing) 2. Narthex – covered area between the atrium and the church and which was assigned to the penitents. 3. Nave and the Aisle‐ the nave is the central aisle usually lighted by clear‐storey of small windows with as aisle on either sides usually half the width of the nave. 4. Sanctuary‐ proceed by the arch of triumph with a high altar in the center standing free under its “baldachino” upheld by marble columns. 5. Choir‐ placed in front of the high altar and was enclosed by a low screen walls known as cancelli (hence chanel) and was provided with a pulpit or ambo on either sides use for reading the epistles and gospel 6. Apse‐ terminal of the church, where sanctuary is located and the bishop took the central space. Apse orientation at the east, while the entrance at the west. An Early Christian Basilica 1. The Basilican Church of Saint Peter, Rome‐ dedicated to the martyrdom of St. Peter by Constantine 2. St. Paolo Fouri Le Mura, Rome‐ largest and most impressive among all basilican churches 3. Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem‐ founded by Constantine, built over the traditional birth of Christ. 4. Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem‐ founded by Constantine built over the reputed tomb of Christ. 5. Saint Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna‐ built in the 6th and 7th centuries and is the burial place of Saint Appolinaire, Ravenna’s patron saint. The mosaic in the apse shows the saint flanked by sheep in a verdant garden. Above is Christ, depicted as the good shepherd, the sheep symbolizing the 12 apostles. Baptisteries 1. Baptisteries of Constantine, Rome‐ built by Sixtus III, dedicated to Constantine, oldest among the Italian baptisteries. Tombs 2. Tomb of Galla Placida, Ravenna‐ earliest building of cruciform plan. TERMINOLOGIES Ambulatory ‐ a passageway around the apse of a church Antepodium ‐ a seat behind the choir reserved for the clergy Bema ‐a stage reserved for the clergy Chevet‐ the apse, ambulatory and radiating terminal of a church Clerestory ‐an upper stage in the church with windows above the adjacent roof Clergy‐ ‐priest with the other religious elders Oais‐ a raised platform reserved for the seating of speakers or dignitaries Oratory ‐a small private chapel furnished with an altar and a crufix Reredos‐ an ornamental screen or wall at the back of the altar Transept ‐the portion of a church crossing the main axis at the right angle and forming a cruciform plan Tribune ‐a slightly elevated platform or dais for the speaker Triforium ‐roof over the aisles below the clerestory Sepulcher‐ a tomb or a receptacle for relics especially in a Christian altar.