Beginning of Christianity and its influence in architecture

1. Movie based learning,
AGORA, specific observations
1) Obelisk
The idea … developed by the kings
of the fifth dynasty (2465–2323 BC).
To demonstrate their reverence for
the sun god…
Source: The Emperors' Needles: Egyptian Obelisks and Rome
Susan Sorek
Source : Timemaps

2. Movie based learning,
AGORA, specific observations
2) Colonnaded Portico
30 BCE
Source
:
Vox,
online

3. the most significant objects of transformation for Christian architecture and design
ornate and architecturally prestigious, dominant features of the towns and countryside in which they stood
Byzantine Churches
Hagia Sophia
Romanesque abbey
churches
Gothic cathedrals
Renaissance basilicas
Saint Peter's
Basilica;

4. C H R I S T I A N I T Y
From Jerusalem to Beyond.
Map : Attempt to map the important regions of the said spread of Christianity, through the
disciples.
1st Century CE
Source : Author, based on multiple references

6. The Roman Empire,
at the time
Source : Wondering maps

7. the parish churches - majority developed along simpler lines, showing great regional diversity and often demonstrating local vernacular
technology and decoration.
- Buildings were at first from those originally intended for other purposes but, with the rise of distinctive architecture, church buildings
came to influence secular ones which have often imitated religious architecture.
- buildings put up for one purpose may have been re-used for another,
- new building techniques may permit changes in style and size,
- that changes in liturgical practice may result in the alteration of existing buildings
- a building built by one religious group may be used by a successor group with different purposes
Origins
ROMAN LIFESTYLE - temporal comforts & pleasures
- The great baths - pools & exercise gardens - serve needs of the body
- Libraries - feed the mind
- Vast molded spaces lined in multicolored marble - reward the eyes
CONSTANTINE - the here & now replaced with here after
- The new religion
- Reshaped Roman perceptions of the world and themselves
- Though political unrest, reshaped from within - primary emphasis was now on religious concerns and not secular
- New building needs - new building types
- Courts, houses & administrative buildings continued to be built as required however,

8. Catacombs of Domitta, 4th century Catacombs of St. Callixtus

11. Plan and drawing of titulus Byzantis, where there is architectural evidence of continuous
Christian adaptation beginning by the late 2nd or early 3rd c. CE. This structure
progressed from an apartment complex in which a small Christian cell met in a rear shop
to a renovated domus ecclesiae until the entire apartment complex was gradually taken
over.
Plan of the titulus
clementis in
Rome. (titulus =
inscription or
notice, especially
of notice of a
house to let)
This 3rd CE
renovation of an
existing house
church into a
formal church
building is linked
by tradition to
Clement, bishop
and author of a
letter to Corinth.
In the 5th c, it was
converted to
basilical form.

12. - Architectural innovation shifted to resolving constraints sand problems with housing communal groups of worshippers
Development of the church building
● a single meeting space, built of locally available material and using the same skills of construction as the local domestic
buildings
● FORM : generally rectangular, but in African countries where circular dwellings are the norm, vernacular churches may be
circular as well
● The external qualities of architecture that had appealed to a cultivated visual sensibility was gradually replaced by an
architecture of simpler elements, fostering a sense of mysticism.
● MATERIALS : mud brick, wattle and daub, split logs or rubble
● ROOF : thatch, shingles, corrugated iron or banana leaves
● 4th century onwards - permanent and aesthetically pleasing
● led to a tradition in which congregations and local leaders have invested time, money and personal prestige into the building
and decoration of churches
● MATERIALS : most durable material available, often dressed stone or brick
● beyond a single meeting room to two main spaces,
- one for the congregation and
- one in which the priest performs the rituals of the Mass
● aisles, a tower, chapels, and vestries (office & for changing into ceremonial vestments) and sometimes transepts and mortuary chapels

14. The age of
Tetrarchy
Source: History for Fun, Facebook
● 284CE - A splinters Empire - civil wars
● Too big & complex for one emperor.
● Divided into 2 - East & West
● Co - equal emperor - AUGUSTUS - Diocletian &
Maximian
● Subordinate - CEASAR - the successor
● Eastern Greek speaking - Greece, Asia minor, Egypt
● Western Latin speaking - Italy, Gaul, Africa, Spain
● City of Rome ceased to be Western center of imperial
rule - Trier/Germany/Milan
● East - nicomedia, northwestern Turkey
● 305CE - Augustus step down
● Civil wars again
● West - CONSTANTINE (Trier) & Maxentius (Rome)
● 324 CE - once more United Empire
● Christianity, little notice in Rome initially - not many
mystery religions practised in the Empire then