Early Christian

Early Christian civilization started in 330-800 C.E. Christianity began with the death of Christ in ancient Judea, an eastern outpost of the Roman empire. Rome tolerated most religions, but Christianity posed a threat to the emperor in that Christians could not declare the divinity of the Emperor. This refusal resulted in the persecution of the early Christians in Rome. Christianity prospered under the persecution and was basically an underground religion. Many adherents to the Christian faith were of the lower class. Christianity promoted access to God through Jesus Christ in a personal relationship which provided great hope especially those in the lower classes. The tyranny of the Roman Empire upon Christians led the monotheistic followers to hide within the safety of their homes and even underground where they built the Catacombs of Rome. The Catacombs were vast underground networks of passageways and chambers for the burial of Christians' dead. They were an impressive 60-90 miles long and in some cases go down 5 levels. Early Christians met in homes or existing buildings. Early Christian architecture consisted of centrally planned buildings, separate baptisteries , clerestory windows , towers flanking exonarthex, and the chief goal was to glorify God.


Old St. Peter's Cathedral Rome-330 C.E.
This was the chief monument of christianity and was thought to possibly be the tomb for St. Peter the apostle. It had an exterior plain with and elaborate interior. Also had masonry walls, clerestory windows, wood roof, and wood truss ceilings. Interiors coverers with frescos of biblical from the Old and New Testament.
 

A building that I found beautiful was the Sant' Apllinare in classe located in ravena.


Here are also one examples of early christian furniture and motifs. Storage was very important for furniture in this period, as well as the furniture being richly decorated with caving and jewels. the motifs consisted of paintings, murals, and frescos. The images of Christ the good shepard, the apostles, and Mary were on things. The motifs also included crosses, doves, fish, grapevine, and lamb.

Some current applications of early christian design would first be the interior of this home. It consists of religious paintings on the walls with domes and lights making the space  dimmed yet focused. 

Another current application of modern early christian architecture would be of this church in Rome. It displays domes as well as painted saints and motifs of the ceiling of the back dome.


Listed below is a link to view a video on early christian artwork:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9yGyKhCAlRQ