Early Middle Ages Map

1. Early Middle Ages Map

2. David & Solomon’s Israel

3. 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

4. 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)

5. 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 1200s in France where it was eventually wiped out by Papal Christianity in a series of Crusades and the creation of the Inquisition.

6. 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 1st 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)

7. 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

8. 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

9. 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

10. Judaica • Menorahs & Ark of the Covenant • 3rd 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

11. 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

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

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

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

15. 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

16. 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

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

18. 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

19. 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

20. 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

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

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

23. 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

24. 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

25. Longitudinal Section Santa Costanza Architectural Plan Plan

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

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

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

30. Early Christian Art • Sarcophagus of JuniusBassus • 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

31. Christ Entering Jerusalem

32. Christ Enthroned

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

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

35. Early Christian Art • Catacomb of SantissimiPietro e Marcellino Ceiling • 4th 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

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

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

38. 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

39. 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

40. Early Christian Art

41. 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)

42. 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

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

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

45. 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.

46. Basilica Plan

47. Vienna Genesis Early 6th century Syria Illuminated Manuscript - tempera, gold, silver on purple vellum12 1/4 x 9 1/4 in. Best example of early Illuminated Manuscript

48. Genesis chapter 32 Jacob travels to meet EsauJacob travels over the Jabbok brookJacob wrestles with the AngelJacob blessed by the AngelJacob’s 11 sons Vienna Genesis

49. The end – next … Byzantine