The Middle AgesThe Middle AgesThe Middle AgesThe Middle AgesThe beginning of Early The beginning of Early

Christian ArtChristian ArtThe beginning of Early The beginning of Early

Christian ArtChristian Art

Where do we begin our story?

The Roman Empire

The Basic Tenants of Christianity:• Jesus was born among the

Jews

• In the Jewish faith: God had communicated with them for

centuries through His prophets and the Old Testament and

had given them Commandments by which to

live and to please Him

• Jesus said to love God and Human beings was more

important than those laws

• The writings of Jesus’ followers make up the New

Testament

Christianity continued...Christianity continued...Christianity continued...Christianity continued...

To His followers: He was God’s son, the Savior of the World whose coming was predicted in the Old Testament

People who believed in Him would be raised from the dead at the end of time and live with him in heaven

Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God make up the Trinity

To His followers: He was God’s son, the Savior of the World whose coming was predicted in the Old Testament

People who believed in Him would be raised from the dead at the end of time and live with him in heaven

Jesus, the Holy Spirit and God make up the Trinity

The Holy Trinity

JesusJesusHoly SpiritHoly Spirit GodGod

The Roman EmpireThe Roman EmpireThe Roman EmpireThe Roman Empire

I don’t trust these Christians, they’re cutting in on my

power!

In the centuries following Christ’s death, Rome becomes the center of Christian underground activity, and many Christians are blamed and persecuted for

the growing troubles of the empire

Christianity is outlawed and many Christians seek refuge in underground sanctuaries that were built to

bury their dead, called the Catacombs (c. 300 CE)

Underground citiesUnderground citiesUnderground citiesUnderground citiesUnderground cities were built to escape persecution within the Roman Empire

Cities could often hold up to 20,000 people for many months without coming outside!

Underground cities were built to escape persecution within the Roman Empire

Cities could often hold up to 20,000 people for many months without coming outside!

Underground cities in Goreme (present day Turkey

Underground Fresco in Underground Fresco in Goreme, Turkey Goreme, Turkey

CappadociaCappadocia

Underground Fresco in Underground Fresco in Goreme, Turkey Goreme, Turkey

CappadociaCappadocia

The Good Shepherd,

Ceiling Fresco,

4th century,

Catacombs, Rome

Circles depict story

of Jonah

Circle : Symbolizes the Dome of Heaven

Do you see the cross formed by intersecting circles?

SymbolismSymbolismSymbolismSymbolism

new kinds of images are painted depicting people and events of religious importance through the use of symbolism

the communication of a thought or an idea using symbols was new and changed the course of art for centuries

new kinds of images are painted depicting people and events of religious importance through the use of symbolism

the communication of a thought or an idea using symbols was new and changed the course of art for centuries

Roman Symbols to Christian Roman Symbols to Christian SymbolsSymbols

Roman Symbols to Christian Roman Symbols to Christian SymbolsSymbols

• (Notes: Juno – Roman equivalent of Hera, Phaeton – Son of Helion,

• Elijah – deliverer of message to Ahab, Aristaeus – son of Apollo)

• (Notes: Juno – Roman equivalent of Hera, Phaeton – Son of Helion,

• Elijah – deliverer of message to Ahab, Aristaeus – son of Apollo)

Roman Early Christian

Juno’s PeacockSymbol for

Christ’s resurrection

Phaeton’s Chariot Elijah’s Chariot

Pastoral God Aristaeus

Good Shepherd

• Symbols are at first borrowed from Roman art

Pastoral god Aristaeus ...becomes.... the Good ShepherdPastoral god Aristaeus ...becomes.... the Good Shepherd

not realistic or natural (as Romans) but simplified and stylizednot realistic or natural (as Romans) but simplified and stylized

Roman Fresco Early Christian Fresco

Roman Art vs. Early Christian ArtRoman Art vs. Early Christian ArtRoman Art vs. Early Christian ArtRoman Art vs. Early Christian Art

• Art tends to use blues and browns, is compartmentalized and generally not very good

(compared to Roman Art)

And then... there is a shift in Faith in the Roman Empire!!

• Roman Faith (Polytheism) shifts to Monotheism as Paganism slowly gives way to Christianity as the favoured religion and faith in the Roman Empire

Polytheism: Belief in multiple Gods (ex. Mars-God of War, Jupiter (aka Zeus)-king of Gods, Juno-Goddess of

Wisdom)

Monotheism : Belief in only One God

How did that happen?

Emperor ConstantineEmperor ConstantineEmperor ConstantineEmperor Constantine

Year 312 CE: Emperor Constantine becomes a Christian, when just before battle he allegedly saw a vision of a cross over the sun with the following words:

"Εν Τουτω Νικα" ("By this, conquer!"

Year 312 CE: Emperor Constantine becomes a Christian, when just before battle he allegedly saw a vision of a cross over the sun with the following words:

"Εν Τουτω Νικα" ("By this, conquer!"

Battle of Milvian BridgeBattle of Milvian BridgeBattle of Milvian BridgeBattle of Milvian Bridge

Constantine commanded his troops to adorn their shields with a Christian symbol (the Chi-Ro), and thereafter they were victorious.

Constantine commanded his troops to adorn their shields with a Christian symbol (the Chi-Ro), and thereafter they were victorious.

Edict of MilanEdict of MilanEdict of MilanEdict of Milan

Year 313 CE: the Edict of Milan makes Christianity the recognized religion in the Roman Empire

“We should let both the Christians and all others follow whatever religion they wanted to, so that whatever God there is in heaven may be happy and pleased with us and with all our subjects.”

Year 313 CE: the Edict of Milan makes Christianity the recognized religion in the Roman Empire

“We should let both the Christians and all others follow whatever religion they wanted to, so that whatever God there is in heaven may be happy and pleased with us and with all our subjects.”

““The Great Schism”The Great Schism”““The Great Schism”The Great Schism”

in 323 CE, Constantine moves the capital of the Roman Empire to the Greek town of Byzantium (which became known as Constantinople)

this split of the Empire also set in motion the religious division into the Western (Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) churches

in 323 CE, Constantine moves the capital of the Roman Empire to the Greek town of Byzantium (which became known as Constantinople)

this split of the Empire also set in motion the religious division into the Western (Catholic) and Eastern (Orthodox) churches

To sum up...To sum up...To sum up...To sum up...

Christianity infiltrates the Roman Empire

Christians persecuted at first

Christian art borrows symbols from Roman Art

More simple then Roman Art, focus is on symbolism and meaning rather than realism

Roman Faith=Polytheistim / Christianity = monotheism

Constantine converts to Christianity and in 313 CE officially recognizes the religion

Moves the capital from Rome to Constantinople

Christianity infiltrates the Roman Empire

Christians persecuted at first

Christian art borrows symbols from Roman Art

More simple then Roman Art, focus is on symbolism and meaning rather than realism

Roman Faith=Polytheistim / Christianity = monotheism

Constantine converts to Christianity and in 313 CE officially recognizes the religion

Moves the capital from Rome to Constantinople