ART HIS 21 Lecture Notes - Lecture 1: Solar Deity, Spolia
AH Lecture 2
-Constantine and the Christianization of the Roman Empire
-Helena (mother) greatly influenced Constantine
-313: Edict of Milan prohibited the perfection of Christians (Rule under of Constantine)
-321: Sunday was declared the official day of rest and Cruxifixction was abolished
-325: Christianity was made official religion of Roman Empire
-Q: What is the impact of the legalization of Christianity on art and architecture in the
Roman Empire?
1. Official Art
-Colossal Statue (Made for the building Basilica of Maxentius) Abstract face, eyes gazing
upward, found at the entrance of the building
-Constantine’s rule and affinity for his military cult aligned with Christianity as it was
brought together under Constantine
-Arch of Constantine - commemorating the victory over Maxentius (favored by Rome)
since Constantine was favored by God
-Light is associated with the word of God
-The arch is comprised of different art pieces from different empires
•Spolia: re-used earlier building materials or decorative sculpture on new monuments
-Sol Invictus = sun associated with power
-SUNday, solar deity, evidence of syncretism of Christianity and Constantine Rule/
Influence
-In order to assert power, because he did not have Roman lineage, he had to assert
dominance through position of power Emperor
-People of the time are illiterate and needed very explicit imagery to understand things
-(Style) Active sculptors of Rome had better skills in the sarcophagus even though the
larger pieces were not as elaborate, and there could have been a conscious rejected of
old Rome art style?
2. Churches
-Basilica- Before it became the form of Christian Churches it was a hall designed for large
gatherings
-Church terminology
•Apse (Altar Table)
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Document Summary
Constantine and the christianization of the roman empire. 313: edict of milan prohibited the perfection of christians (rule under of constantine) 321: sunday was declared the of cial day of rest and cruxi xction was abolished. 325: christianity was made of cial religion of roman empire. Q: what is the impact of the legalization of christianity on art and architecture in the. Colossal statue (made for the building basilica of maxentius) abstract face, eyes gazing upward, found at the entrance of the building. Constantine"s rule and af nity for his military cult aligned with christianity as it was brought together under constantine. Arch of constantine - commemorating the victory over maxentius (favored by rome) since constantine was favored by god. Light is associated with the word of god. The arch is comprised of different art pieces from different empires: spolia: re-used earlier building materials or decorative sculpture on new monuments. Sol invictus = sun associated with power.
