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Early-Christian HOA

Early Christian architecture was heavily influenced by Roman art and architecture. Christians adopted the Roman basilica model for their churches, with a main hall and side aisles. Churches usually had a baptistery and bell tower nearby. Roofs were developed using truss systems. Decorations included mosaics and sculptures depicting biblical scenes. Christians also built large underground cemeteries called catacombs since land for burials above ground had become scarce.

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John Michael Aloc
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44 views15 pages

Early-Christian HOA

Early Christian architecture was heavily influenced by Roman art and architecture. Christians adopted the Roman basilica model for their churches, with a main hall and side aisles. Churches usually had a baptistery and bell tower nearby. Roofs were developed using truss systems. Decorations included mosaics and sculptures depicting biblical scenes. Christians also built large underground cemeteries called catacombs since land for burials above ground had become scarce.

Uploaded by

John Michael Aloc
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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Download as PPTX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Early Christian

Architecture
NFLUENCE
S
HISTORY
• In 63 BC, the Romans conquered Judea in the
Eastern Mediterranean.
• Main inhabitants were the Jews.
• Jews believed that one day the “Messiah” or
“Christ” would free them from the Romans.
• In 27 AD, Jesus began preaching to people in
Galilee, north of Judea.
• After three years, he was arrested by the Jews
and found guilty of offending their god.
• He was nailed to a • Disciples spread
cross and died a stories of Jesus’ life
painful death. and teaching by word
• He appeared to his of mouth and by
disciples after his written account in the
resurrection from the new testament.
dead.
• Belief that Jesus was
the Christ and the Son
of God - Christianity
was born.
• Moved from Judea to • Emperor Nero ordered
Antioch in Syria and Christians to be fed to
into the Northern wild beasts or burned
Mediterranean. to death.
• Founded new
communities along the
way.
• Carried by St. Peter, St.
Paul and other
missionaries to Rome,
the center of the
Empire and
fountainhead of power
and influence.
GEOGRAPHY &
GEOLOGY
• Ruins of Roman buildings
served as quarries from which
materials were obtained.
ARCHITECTU
RAL
CHARACTER
DESCRIPTION
• Highly-influenced by Roman art and
architecture
• This architecture hardly has the
architectural value of a style, simply
because it was never really produced by
the solution of constructive problems.
ROOF and CEILING

• Further development of trusses


- king and queen post trusses
BASILICAN
CHURCHES

Roman basilicas as models:


• Usually erected over the burial
place of the saint to whom it was
dedicated
• Unlike Greek and Roman temples
which sheltered gods, the purpose
of the Christian church was to
shelter worshippers
• Came in a complex, with cathedral,
belfry or campanile, and baptistery
• Fine sculptures and mosaics
worked into new basilicas
• Paid little regard to external
architectural effect
• Entrance at west.
• Priest stood behind altar, facing
east.
St. Peter's, Rome
- Erected by Constantine near the site of St. Peter's martyrdom.
- The Circus of Nero was torn down to erect it.
BAPTISTERI
ES
•Used only for
sacrament of
baptism, on
festivals of Easter,
Pentecost and
Epiphany.

•Large separate
building from
church, sometimes
adjoined atrium.
TOMBS or CATACOMBS

• Christians objected to cremation, insisted on


burial on consecrated ground.
• Land for burials had become scarce and
expensive.
• Monumental tombs became expressions of
faith in immortality.
• Cemeteries or catacombs were excavated
below ground.
• Several stories extending downwards.

• Usually domed and enriched with lavish


mosaic decorations.

• Walls and ceilings were lavishly.


decorated with paintings mixing pagan
symbolism with scenes from the bible.

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