Early Middle Ages Map David Solomon s

Early Middle Ages Map

David & Solomon’s Israel

Early Christian and Eastern Religions Five major faiths developed in the Middle East during and after the collapse of the Roman Empire : Judaism Islam Christianity Mithraism Gnosticism

Early Christian and Eastern Religions These faiths all shared several things in common: Claimed Exclusive Path to Paradise (heaven) Claimed they were the Only True Faith Placed Emphasis on Prophecy and Spiritually Revealed Truth Offered hope of salvation to those who believed their truth Honored a chief Prophet or Messiah Believed that there was a struggle between good and evil for man’s soul Practiced ritual purification or initiation with water Believed that members should seek out new converts for their faith (except Judaism)

Early Christian and Eastern Religions Only 3 of these 5 have survived although each one had periods of great success: Christianity, Islam and Judaism are the great survivors. Mithraism almost became the official religion of the Roman Empire – only Constantine’s victory changed that Gnosticism was a variant of Christianity that survived into the 1200 s in France where it was eventually wiped out by Papal Christianity in a series of Crusades and the creation of the Inquisition.

Judaism 2000 BCE – Abraham is called from Ur in Mesopotamia to Canaan by Yahweh 1600 BCE – Hebrews leave Canaan for Egypt 1250 BCE – Moses and Hebrews leave Egypt (Exodus) and return to Canaan 1000 BCE – Israelites establish a monarchy under Saul – the 1 st Hebrew King 1000 – 961 BCE – David is King 961 – 922 BCE – Solomon is King 922 BCE – Kingdom splits into 2 – Israel and Judah 722 BCE – Israel falls to the Assyrians 600 BCE – Hebrew Torah and other Holy writings are compiled into their final form 587 BCE – Judah falls to Chaldaeans under Nebuchadnezzar II and the Hebrews are enslaved and taken to Babylon (Babylonian Captivity)

Judaism/Christianity 539 BCE – Persians conquer Chaldaeans and return Hebrews to homeland 4 BCE – Birth of Jesus Christ 26 -29 CE – Public career of Jesus Christ 29 CE – Crucifixion of Christ under Pontius Pilate 34 CE – Stephen is the first Christian martyr – stoned to death 200 CE – Rome becomes the center of the Christian faith

Christianity 307 – 337 CE – Reign of Constantine the Great 313 CE – Edict of Milan is issued by Constantine legalizing Christianity 325 CE – Council of Nicea establishes Nicene Creed and Orthodox Christianity – all other forms of Christianity are made heresies. 376 CE – Western Roman Empire is invaded by the Huns under Attila 395 CE – The Edict of Theodosius is issued making Christianity the only legal religion in the Roman Empire - Roman Empire splits into east and west at Theodosius’ death 395 CE – The beginning of the reliquary trade

Similarities with old faiths Osiris (Egypt)– died and resurrected, born December 25 Adonis (Phoenician/Greek) – born in Bethlehem, died and resurrected, forgave sins Tammuz (Sumerian) – died, spent 3 days in hell, and resurrected. Inanna (Ishtar), his wife, went to his tomb to discover it empty, virgin birth Hercules (Greek/Roman) – born of Zeus and human virgin, called “Prince of Peace” Mithras (Persian) – born December 25, virgin birth and Sun god was his father, died and rose 3 days later, crucified on a tree, birth witnessed by shepherds and Magi who brought him gifts, performed many miracles (gave sight, made walk, etc), had a last supper with 12 disciples with bread and wine, sins forgiven Baal (Canaan) – storm god who dies and resurrects with help from his wife Marduk (Assyrian); Attis (Persian); Dionysius (Greek); Melquart (Babylonian); and Eshmun (Philistine) – all were gods who died and resurrected 3 days later

Judaica Menorahs & Ark of the Covenant 3 rd century CE Rome, Italy Painting Found inside a Jewish catacomb Shows key Hebrew religious symbols – yet very similar to other types of art also being commissioned in Rome

Synagogue Interior - Wall paintings of Old Testament scenes Ca. 245 -256 Dura Europos, Syria Painting - tempera on plaster Similar in style to Roman work Judaic Art

Ark of the Covenant in the Temple of Dagon Synagogue Interior - Wall paintings of Old Testament scenes

Judaica The Consecration of the Tabernacle 245 -256 CE Dura-Europos, Syria Painting Early Jewish art usually focused on the Temple and its functions

Judaica Isaiah Scroll (Dead Sea Scrolls) 1 st century BCE Qumran, Israel Illuminated Manuscript This early version of the Book of Isaiah is exactly the same as modern ones

Early Middle Ages - Eastern Religious Art Mithras Slaying the Sacred Bull 150 – 200 Rome, Italy Relief Sculpture The Mithraic cult focused on the sun, good vs. evil and Mithras – a god who was killed and rose again 3 days later and was born on December 25

Early Christian Art Characteristics Decay in style Religious themes are the focus Substance over style Basilica main form of church building The subject matter and story are what’s important not the artist or skill

Baptistery from Christian Community House Ca. 240 -258 Dura Europos, Syria Architecture/Painting Baptism was done in homes before churches developed

Early Christian Art Interior of Old St. Peter’s C. 324 – 400 CE Rome, Italy Architectural Plan This drawing was done by Jacopo Grimaldi in 1619 Shows typical Christian basilica style church plan

1. Nave 2. Aisles 3. Apse 4. Transept 5. Narthex (Porch) 6. Atrium Old Saint Peter’s Basilica (plan) Rome, Italy Architectural Plan Parts of basilica

Early Christian Art Interior of Santa Maria Maggiore 430 – 440 CE Rome, Italy Architecture The first church built dedicated to Mary Most of the interior is in its original state including the art work Upon entering the eye is immediately drawn to the altar

Santa Sabina Ca. 422 -432 Rome, Italy Architecture Typical early Christian basilica style with plain interior and plain exterior

Santa Sabina – Interiors still received more detail than exteriors, continuing Roman tradition – though certainly not as much as the Romans did

Santa Costanza ca. 337 -351 Rome, Italy Architecture Originally a tomb for the saint, it eventually became a church The round church developed from the Roman mausoleum

Early Christian Art Santa Costanza 350 CE Rome, Italy Architecture Although most churches were based on the basilica plan, some were built on circular plans similar to the tombs of the emperors, especially if it contained the relics of an important saint Here the Emperor Constantine’s sister (Santa Costanza) was placed The circular plan would see wider use as baptisteries

Longitudinal Section Santa Costanza Architectural Plan

Santa Costanza vault mosaic ca. 337 -351 Rome, Italy Mosaic Different Bible and pagan stories mixed

Christ as Sol Invictus from the Mausoleum of the Julii Late 3 rd century Rome, Italy Mosaic Christ drives Apollo’s chariot of the sun

Early Christian Art Jesus the Good Shepherd 3 rd century CE Rome, Italy Sculpture Large scale sculptures are rare in early Christian art Shows Christ beardless and in Roman garb

Early Christian Art Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus 359 CE Rome, Italy Sculpture/Relief Early Christian sculpture focused on Biblical themes as well Note the doll like bodies with large heads Note beardless Christ again, in Greek philosopher pose and garb

Christ Entering Jerusalem

Christ Enthroned

Christ Enthroned ca. 350 -375 Rome, Italy Sculpture approximately 2 ft. 4 1/2 in. high Jesus sits on an imperial throne in togata

Catacomb showing loculi (spots for tombs) 3 rd-4 th centuries CE Rome, Italy Architecture Catacombs were also used as early meeting places for Christians before it became legal

Early Christian Art Catacomb of Santissimi Pietro e Marcellino Ceiling 4 th century CE Rome, Italy Painting/Architecture All the earliest Christian art can be found in underground catacombs like this one Catacombs were burial places underneath the city – usually on the outskirts

Good Shepherd from the Catacomb of Pietro and Marcellino early 4 th century Rome, Italy Painting - fresco Note beardless and in Roman clothing, similar in pose to Apollo again

Orant figure (Praying woman) 3 th century Rome, Italy Painting - fresco The early Church had female leaders as well

Early Christian Art Mausoleum of Galla Placida 425 – 450 CE Ravenna, Italy Archtecture Named after the Emperor Honorius’ sister who was believed to be buried here Form of building is a Greek cross – even lengths on all arms

Early Christian Art Interior of Mausoleum of Galla Placida 425 – 450 CE Ravenna, Italy Mosaic Interior is full of barrel vaulting Walls are covered in bright mosaics Most tell of St Lawrence’s life – leads many to believe that this was a chapel dedicated to him

Early Christian Art

Early Christian Art Good Shepherd 425 -450 Ravenna, Italy Mosaic Located in the tomb of Galla Placida this mosaic shows us a beardless Christ acting as a shepherd tending his flock (allegory) Halo is used to show importance not for holiness (that came later)

Saint Apollinare Nuovo 504 Ravenna, Italy Architecture Bell tower added to call faithful to service Still extremely plain exteriors although interiors have grown more extravagant

Saint Apollinare Nuovo – Interior 504 Ravenna, Italy Architecture All original interior no additions, only restorations over the years

The Three Wise Men (The Magi) 504 Ravenna, Italy Mosaics became a crucial church decoration

Basilica Plan Interior Space This is a typical basilica /cathedral floor plan. Keep in mind that each structure is different and may depart from this basic plan in some ways. . . . however, the key elements (labeled below) are pretty much common to most all structures. The APSE is typically the rounded end of the nave, but can also be any rounded appendage springing off the sides of a floor plan. Sometimes, apses take the form of mini-altars to various saints. The NAVE is the long, central aisle that goes down the middle of the structure. The AISLES border each side of the nave, and are usually separated from the nave by a colonnade. The TRANSEPT cuts across between the apse and the nave. (The transept gives the floor plan the shape of the cross. ) The CHOIR is the area where the nave and the transept intersect, where (you guessed it) the choir usually sits. The NARTHEX (not labeled) is the entrance area on the opposite side of the front apse. . . . it's sometimes shaped like the transept, although not as large.

Basilica Plan

Vienna Genesis Early 6 th century Syria Illuminated Manuscript - tempera, gold, silver on purple vellum 12 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. Best example of early Illuminated Manuscript

Genesis chapter 32 Vienna Genesis Jacob travels to meet Esau Jacob travels over the Jabbok brook Jacob wrestles with the Angel Jacob blessed by the Angel Jacob’s 11 sons

The end – next … Byzantine