Do You Know These Famous Churches of Rome Flashcards

Old St. Peter's Basilicac 318-322 CE
Rome, ItalyEarly Christain funded by Constantinemodeled after Roman law courts because they could hold a lot of peopleProgramming

1. path for processional entry and exit of clegy
2. an altar area where the clergy celebrated mass
3. a space for the segregation of the clergy from the congregation during the procession and communion
4. An area for the separation of the catachumens (un-baptized) from the faithful

plan

• nave
• aisles
• apse
• transept - hall at perpendicular to the nave of the apse
• atriium
• narthex - entry portico b/w atrium and man

Church of S. Costanzac. 350 CERome, ItalyEarly Christian/Byzantine central-plan buildingoriginally mausoleum of Constantia (Constantine's daughter)dome space w/ clerestoryarcade with 12 pairs of composite columnsBarrel vaulted ambulatorycomposite - corinthian + ionicmosaics

• some modeled on/adapted from pagan iconography

Church of S. Apollinare Nuovoc 490 CE
Ravenna, ItalyEarly Christian/Byzantine basilica plan churchplain exteriornarthexaisleapsearcademosaics

• females left, males right
• prophets and apostles
• miracles
• passion

Triumphal arch

Mausoleum of Galla Placidiac 425-450 CERavenna, ItalyEarly Christian/Byzantine debate over original function: mausoleum or oratory (chapel)cruciform (cross shaped)central dome on pendentivesexterior arcade w/ blind archesgood shepherd mosaic

Orthodox Baptisteryc. 458 CERavenna, ItalyEarly Christian/Byzantine Exterior decorative blind archesOctagonal plan

• eight as symbol of regeneration (Christ rose from the dead on the 8th day after his entry into Jerusalem)

Dome shows bapthism of 12 apostles, center baptism Jesus in Jordan river (Jordan river depicted as person)octagonal baptismal fontinterior is octagon with niches

S. Apollinare in Classec. 532-549Ravenna, ItalyEarly Christian/Byzantine built under Emperor Justinianapsenaveaisleapse decorated with mosaic of Saint Apollinaris and flock

Hagia Sophia532-537 CEIstanbul (Constantinople)Early Christian/Byzantine Patrons: Justinian & TheodoraArchitects: Anthemius & Isidorusdome

• masonry made with light bricks from Greece

narthex

• entrance vestibule to church
• this one is double wide
• cells employ groin vaults

nave (naos)sanctuary apse - apse on east endaisles - north and southdome covers nave + aisles

• 107 ft tall & rises 180 ft above floor
• 40 windows at base of dome
• The addition of the two semi-domes creates a clear span of nearly 250 ft
• supported on pendentives
• Two half-domes at East and West supported by three arches
• four smaller half-domes at corners

Theotokos & child

• Apse mosaic
• mother and christ
• c 867
• "Seat of Wisdom"
• Middle Byzantine (843-1204)

S. Vitale538-548Ravenna, ItalyEarly Christian/Byzantine central plandomed octagonapsidal chapelscentral domed area supported on 8 piersbookmatching - symmetrical marbleapse mosaic

• Christ enthroned, seated on a globe, flanked by angels, Saint Vitalis, and Bishop Eclesius, with model of church
• Recall Gudea of Lagash, Neo-Sumerian period

north wall

• Emperor Justinian
• Church officials
• soldiers
• shield XP shape, ki and ro, first two letters of christ

south wall

• empress theodora
• 3 wise men embroidered into her robe

Theotokos Church at Hosios Loukas Monasteryc843 - 1204 CEBoeotia, GreeceEarly Christian/Byzantine first churchlate 10th centurycloisonne masonry

• cloisonne - little cell - name from jewelry

decorative patterns

• imitating Kufic or Kuresque script
• alpha and omega
• Jesus christ and disciples

cross-in-square plandome on pendentivesscreen so you can't see clergy performing ceremonies

Katholikon at Hosios Loukas MonasteryEarly 11th centuryBoeotia, GreeceEarly Christian/Byzantine dome on squinchesdome raised on a drumapse mosaic - theotokoslower levels - veneer of stoneupper levels - mosaics or frescodome art

• mosaic destroyed by earthquake
• fresco replacement - Christ as Pantokrator

In a basilican church, the portion set parallel to the nave, generally separated from it by columns or piers

The curving passageway behind the choir of a church, often used to connecting the radiating chapels circular walkway in central plan churches

A Greek from Tralles who worked as a geometer and architect in Constantinople, the capital of the Byzantine Empire. With Isidore of Miletus, he designed the Hagia Sophia for Justinian I.

The termination of the nave of a basilica or the choir in a basilican church

A series or arches carried on columns or piers