ARTH 22006 Lecture Notes - Lecture 16: Early Christian Art And Architecture, Ponte Milvio, Chi Rho
Document Summary
Edict of milan- grants freedom to worship to all of the roman empire: 313 government formally recognizes christianity. Christianity and judaism forbid worship of other gods and divine emperor. Dura europos: houses painted white with small red cross- place of worship: enlarged houses for synagogue and church. Early depictions of jesus as a good shepherd. Catacombs: burial places: paintings for visual prayer, ss peter and marcellinus martyrs, jesus in center as good sheppard jonah and the whale in sides, salvation, rebirth, baptism. Catacomb of priscilla- 3rd century: first image of the virgin mary, three hebrews in fiery furnace cast into flames by nebuzzar, saved by angel. Carvings of jonah- pink marble: small size so its not considered worship of an idol no connection to paganism. Good shepherd pose rooted in early greek sculpture. End of 4th century christianity becomes official religion of rome: constantine orders basilica to be built where christians believe peter the leader of the apostles is buried.