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The Makings of a Medieval World - 1 The Rise of Christianity and Islam

Explore the origins of Christianity and Islam, the fall of the Western Roman Empire, and the art and symbolism of the time. Learn about the shift from pagan beliefs to monotheistic religions. Discover the cultural and religious transformations that shaped the medieval world.

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The Makings of a Medieval World - 1 The Rise of Christianity and Islam

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  1. The Makings of a Medieval World - 1The Rise of Christianity and Islam Christ being Baptized, catacomb wall painting, 330 CE, Italy

  2. Rome and Constantinople--Centers of Christianity • new emphasis on symbolism instead of realism or naturalism. • Looking at the spiritual world and inner reality. • Reinterpret Greek and Roman forms in the service of religion. • Art becomes more two dimensional to represent the symbolic world. • 200 years before the fall in 476 CE, Rome was led by Emperors and worshipped pagan gods (Jupiter, Mars, Venus, Neptune, etc.---Pantheon gods) • A new religion, with only one God at its center, began to rise—Christianity (originating from the Holy Lands) • From 40-313CE, Christianity was only a small, secretive sect in Rome ---women and slaves were accepted • Most Christians refused to pay homage to the emperor and were persecuted Jesus as Apollo, or the good shepherd 313—Edict of Milan Emperor Constantine issues the Edict of Milan which recognizes Christianity as one of the official state religions. Christians able to worship openly. Flourishing of Christian art. 323—Constantine moves court to Byzantium, in east (one of Rome’s provinces). Later, Constantinople. Created Eastern and Western Roman Empires. Constantinople is present day Istanbul, Turkey. 395 —Roman world formally divided into an Eastern and Western Empires. Eastern empire survives until capture of Constantinople by Turks in 1453 CE. The split of the empire also causes a religious rift, creating the Catholic Church in the West and the Orthodox Church in the East. early Roman catacomb Peacock=immortality Emperor Constantine

  3. The Fall of the Western Roman Empire • 402 CE—Emperor Honorius runs from Rome and flees to Ravenna while Rome under siege; hopes for protection by Eastern Roman Empire in Constantinople • 410 CE--- Barbarian Goths sack Rome • 476 CE—Fall of the Western Roman Empire in Ravenna. Stability of vast Roman empire is smashed with “pagan” invasions. Dark Ages begin. • Attack led by Odoacer, a Goth leader. Western Roman Empire comes under Arian, Germanic rule. • Popes maintain partial power in Rome. • Odoacer’s successor, Theodoric, rules Western empire until 540 CE, reinforcing pagan, human-centered ritual • 540--armies of the Eastern Roman Empire under Emperor Justinian, conquered the West and reunited the two empires for a short time • Eastern empire, Byzantium---Constantinople--- remains intact as a Christian area until conquered by the Turks in 1453 • WEST = Roman Catholic Rule • EAST = Orthodox Byzantine rule • Christianity is dominant religion in both empires, but with different orientations • Good Shepherd Separating the Sheep from the Goats, c. 520, Ravenna, Italy • Western Roman art centers on telling a story, making art human • Relates to Greco-Roman heritage of focus on man

  4. Emperor Justinian and Courtiers, c. 547 San Vitale, Ravenna Reflecting a blend of religion and politics Byzantine Art(Eastern Orthodox) • Byzantine art is the art of the Eastern Roman Empire and describes a certain style • Eastern empire brought to a new level of power and stability under Justinian (527—565 CE). • The Eastern Empire of Byzantium hangs on even through attacks by Arabian armies, until it falls to the Turks in 1453. Lasts up to the Renaissance! Mosaic of Justinian

  5. Empress Theodora and Retinue, c. 547, San Vitale, Ravenna Theodora gets equal billing…

  6. Characteristics of Byzantine Mosaics and Art • Flattened, symbolic, (heavenly) space (gold backgrounds common) • Shapes and figures show continuing trend toward shallow space • Details are described by line, not light and shade • Elongated proportions • Dematerialized bodies with strong emphasis on the eyes • Ornate haloes (fr. Persia - designating descent from the Sun) • Religious icons became an important part of the Eastern Orthodox Church

  7. Byzantine Churches in the Eastern Empire Hagia Sophia (“Holy Wisdom”) • 523-537 CE • Built by Justinian in Constantinople • Combination of central plan and early Christian basilica • In 726, all religious paintings and statues were removed by the iconoclasts • turned into a mosque in 1453 when Islamic forces took over Constantinople, renaming the city Istanbul

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