EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

318- 800 AD

A. INFLUENCES:

I. Geographical and Topographical Influences:

• Christianity originated from Judea, eastern province of the Roman Empire and was
carried to Rome by S. Peter, S. Paul and other missionaries to Rome.
• It covered the countries such as Syria, Asia Minor, North Africa and Egypt.

II. Climatic Factors:

• Climate of Italy was discussed in Roman Architecture however climate condition in
other Roman provinces where Christianity was established naturally modified the style.
• Fiercer sun and hotter climate necessitated small windows with the introduction of other
eastern features.

III. Geological (Materials) Influences:

• Used as materials were plundered from disused classical temples:
a. antique columns were surmounted, with arcades or entablatures
b. floor paved with old Roman marbles or
c. column slices

IV. Religious Influences:

• The rise of Christianity brought about the building of churches. Christian Mass centered
on an act of sacrificial character symbolically performed by a priest – transubstantiation
of consecrated wine and bread into blood and body of Christ which was consumed by
the worshippers.
• The purpose of the Christian church was to shelter worshippers and during unsettled
conditions at the beginning, various places were adopted for this.
• Unlike those of the Greeks and Romans, their temples were built to shelter the statues
of the gods,

V. Social Influences:
• 2nd half of the 3rd C Roman Empire founded by Augustus scarcely 300 years before
faced disintegration – misuse of authority, bureaucracy, economic decline and political
instability (civil wars, barbarian raids and private scheming of ambitious men).
• 193 AD Emperor Pertinax was murdered by the elite Praetorian guard which then
proceeded to auction off the emperorship – and the winner was Julianus a wealthy
senator who was also deposed and murdered.
• In 235 AD military anarchy set in and there were 20 legitimate emperors who ruled the
empire in the next 50 years.
• The empire was ruled not as a central government but as provinces were:
- West – General Postumus seized Gaul and a part of Spain and ruled for 9 years.
- East – Zenobia, widow of Palmyrian prince conquered Asia Minor and even
extended influence in Egypt. She was defeated by Emperor Aurelian
• DIocletan, a Dalmatian soldier became the emperor advocated a system of autocratic
power. He restored order to the empire.
- Fortified frontiers against threat from the barbarians and separated authority from
the military to prevent coups.
- Fix the value of coinage and issued his famous Price Edict – maximum price for
goods, wages
- Provinces were grouped into dioceses and were organized into 4 prefectures.
- Emperor Diocletan
- Split of administration between east and west assigned with emperors where he
took the post in the east. He chose Nicomedia as the capital, near Constantinople
where he indirectly set the stage for the rise of Byzantium.
- Christianity a mystery religion which came from the east spread throughout the
empire lead by S. Paul despite numerous obstacles.

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 • Spread of Christianity
- The Romans were tolerant to any cults provided it did not run counter to the interest
of the state or promote civil disturbance.
- The new Christian church developed its own ritual and doctrine, assimilating other
religions and philosophies from varied peoples of the empire mostly based from
Judaism.
- By the 3rd c. Christianity universally strengthened and became the most powerful
single force within the empire capable.
- When Diocletan required the Christians to accept him as god and to worship him,
they refused. When confronted with the choice of submission or suffering they
consistently chose the second.
• Persecution of Christians
- In 303 AD Diocletan issued the first of a series of edicts ordering churches and
sacred books to be burned, Christians to be enslave, imprisoned or tortured if they
refused to give up their faith.
- 305 AD Diocletan voluntarily abdicated and in 311 AD four rulers claimed the title of
emperor.
• Constantine, Emperor of the Roman Empire
- Constantine became his father’s successor in 306 AD.
- He became the sole Emperor of Rome when he defeated Maxentius, his co-emperor
in the west and one year after defeated the eastern emperors, Maximum and in 323
Licinius.
- Constantine declared his preference for Christianity (maybe because of his Christian
mother, St. Helena who refutably found and dug up the Cross of Christ in Palestine)
- Constantine made 2 major decisions:
1. 326 AD Constantine recognized Christianity as the state religion
• Priests were allowed the same tax exemptions as of other religions
• Holy days were honored
• Building of many churches
• Allowed his children to be instructed in the Christian faith
2. Moved the empire’s capital from Rome to Byzantium (Constantinople now
known as Istanbul), a small trading town on a magnificently strategic site.
• Crucial period for Christianity was the 1st 3 c. before it was recognized as the state
religion in 326 AD.
• The dogma, liturgy and administrative structure evolved.
• Christian congregations were small and scattered and religious rites were limited mainly
to common prayer, baptism, funeral banquets and ritual meals.
• Mid 3rd c. Asia Minor was more than half Christians and in Rome as many as 50,000
believers.

B. ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
• New monumental forms of Architecture were demanded by Constantine and the Church
(4th-9th c.) and persisted up to the Renaissance.
• Due to economic instability, Roman craftsmen utilized materials from the Roman temples
which became useless for their original purpose.
• Churches modeled on Roman basilicas, used old columns which by various devices were
brought to a uniform height.
• Basilican churches are impressive and dignified by the long perspective of columns which
carry the eye along to the sanctuary combined with a low height of interior make it appear
longer.
- Arch of triumph - figurative of the transition through death to eternal life, gave
entrance to the sanctuary with high altar in the center standing free under its
baldochino upheld by marble columns.
• Introduction of color with use of glass mosaics

C. STRUCTURES AND EXAMPLES

1. BASILICAS (basilikos – kingly)

a. Models for Christian churches which form a connecting link between the
buildings of the pagan classic times to the Romanesque period.
b. Usually erected over the burial place of the saint to whom the church was
dedicated.
c. Churches evolved from the Roman Basilicas (Hall of Justice) and one of its
important part is the Bell Tower which faces the east.
d. Most common are rectangular plans and some are round or polygonal domed
structures which was later favored by the east.

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 e. Typical Basilica is arranged as follows:

Basilican Church of St. Peter, Rome, 320/330 AD

1. Nave – middle aisle of the church lighted by a clerestory of small windows

with an aisle on either sides.
2. Aisles – space flanking and parallel to nave; usually separated from it by
columns intended primarily for circulation. Built lower than the nave and the
upper wall exposed (clerestory) was pierced with windows.
3. Bema – raised dais (platform) as part of the sanctuary. Cruciform plan
4. Apse or Sanctuary – semi-circular or semi-polygonal space with dome
terminating in an axis and intended to house the altar. Often furnished with
tiers of stone or marble seating fro the clergy
• Choir - located in front of the altar enclosed by low screen walls called
Cancelli. It was provided with an ambo or pulpit on either side for the
reading of the epistle or gospel
5. Narthex – enclosed porch or vestibule at the entrance. Used as anteroom for
penitents and novices.
6. Atrium, forecourt or cloistered courtyard - surrounded by arcades formed
the approach to the church. In the center is a fountain of water for ablutions
(amblutio).
7. Proplylae – entrance

Examples:
1. Basilican Church of St. Peter
- Emperor Constantine began the first Basilica around 320 AD and over the tomb
of St. Peter. In order to construct it, it was necessary to cut away part of the hill.
Its altar held relics brought from the holy land and was decorated with rich
mosaics.
2. S. Maria Maggiore, Rome, 432 AD
3. Sant' Apollinare in Classe, Italy, Ravenna; 530
4. S. Clemente, Rome
- Lowest LeveL : Roman 1st C. building with late 2nd c. Mithraeum with 3rd c.
additions
- Middle Level: Early Christian Basilica 4th/5th c. (inserted in a 3rd c. bldg) and
additions (6th-11th c.)
- Upper Level : Medieval 12th c. Basilica
5. Sta. Sabina, Aventine Hill, Rome (422-432 AD)
- Although often altered , retains its original character. Well preserved basilica in
Ravenna style.
- Basilican plan has nave and aisle separated by 24 Corinthian columns of
Proconnesian marble supporting semi-circular arches, embelished with inlaid
marble designs showing chalices and patterns, symbol of Eucharist.
- Plain clear-storey walls and simple timber roof .
- Mosaic in the apse dates from 822 BC and portray female personifications of
Churches of the Jews and Gentiles
6. S. Giovanni In Laterano, Rome (330 AD)
7. S. Paolo fouri le Mura Rome (380 AD)
8. S. Lorenzo fouri le Mura, Rome - product of two churches with their apses placed
back to back .
9. S. Agnese fouri le Mura, Rome (625-38 AD)
10. S. Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna (493-525 AD)
11. Syracuse Cathedral, Sicily
12. S. Apoliinare in Classe, Ravenna (534- 9 AD)
13. Torcello Cathedral
14. Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem – erected by Constantine over the reputed
tomb of Christ, defaced and damaged by the Persians.

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 15. Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem – founded by Constantine over the traditional
birthplace of Christ and rebuilt 527-65 AD is one of the basilican churches in
Palestine and Syria built between 3rd-7th c.

2. BAPTISTERIES
• Separate building used for the sacrament of baptism.
• Roman circular temples and tombs were occasionally used.
• Considerable size because baptism rites were only administered on Easter,
Pentecost and Epiphany
• End of 6th c. they are attached to the atrium but with the introduction of infant
baptism it was replaced by a font in the church.
Examples:
1. Baptistery of Constantine, Rome
2. Orthodox Baptistery, Ravenna
3. Baptistery, Nocera

3. TOMBS
• Burial within city boundaries was prohibited by law but Christians objected to
cremation and insisted on burial in consecrated grounds.
• Monumental tombs were erected as an expression of the Christian faith in immortality
and memorial to dead.

Examples:
1. C. Constanza, Rome
- The church of Santa Costanza in Rome was a mausoleum built for Constantine's
daughter, Constantina (died 354):
- The centralized plan also became the characteristic plan for Baptisteries. The
death and resurrection symbolism of the sacrament of Baptism explains the
connection.
2. Tomb of Theodoric, Ravenna
3. Tomb of Galla Placidia, Ravenna
- The centralized plan also became the characteristic plan for Baptisteries. The
death and resurrection symbolism of the sacrament of Baptism explains the
connection.

• CATACOMBS
- Most significant monuments of the Period of Persecution
- Underground and the Least conspicuous of all monuments in Rome.
- Vast networks of galleries and chambers beneath designed as cemeteries for
the burial of the Christian dead – sainted martyrs.
- 2nd -4th c. catacombs are constantly and is estimated that as many as 4 million
bodies were accommodated
- In time of persecution, they were used as places to hide and used to held
worship services.
- After Christianity received official sanction, catacombs were not anymore used
except as holy places, monuments to the great martyrs which were visited by the
pious.

IV. COMPARATIVE ANALYSIS

1. Plan and Design
• Early Christian Architecture: basilican church developed from Roman secular
basilica; centralized type from Roman tombs.
• Basilican plan was modified for liturgical requirements; congregation and clergy
segregated in nave and aisles vs. transept and apse.
• Different variants in East and West.
2. Walls –
• Followed the Roman method of construction
3. Roofing
• Nave was covered with timber roofs with queen and king post trusses.
• Side aisles were vaulted
• Apse is usually with dome
4. Columns

From old Roman buildings
5. Mouldings
• Varied Roman types of mouldings except that carvings were crude.
• Ornament
- Acanthus was the chief popular ornament
- Color was used
- Mosaic was the principal ornament.

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 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Books:
Clementem, Apud S. The Basilica and the Archaeological Area of San Clement in Rome. A Guide
to the Three Levels with Ground Plan.Roma.1990.
De la Croix, Horst and Richard Tansey. Gardner;s Art Through the Ages. Ancient, Medieval and
th
Non-European Art. 7 ed. Harcourt Brace Jovanovich, Inc. USA. 1976.
Harris, Cyril M. Historic Architecture Sourcebook. Mac Graw Hil, Inc. USA.1977.
Millard, Anne and Patricia Vanags. Children’s Encylopedia History. First Civilizations to the Fall of
Rome. Usborne Publishing. England. 1993
Byzantine Empire. National Geographic. Vol. 164, No. 6. December 1983. pp. 708-776.
th
Palmes, J.C. Sir Banister Fletcher’s A History of Architecture. 18 ed.The Athlone Press, University
of London. London
Sherrard, Philip and the Editors of Time-Life Books. Great Ages of Man. A History of the World’s
Culture. Byzantium.Time Life Intenrational (Nederland) N.V. 1972.
The Basilica of Saint Praxedes. Monaci Benedettini Vallombrosani, Roma.

CD/DVD Sources courtesy of Archt. Nick Ramos:

The First Christians

Other Sources:
Lecture notes of Archt. Willa Solomon
Internet Sources
Personal pictures taken and brochures from Rome, 2005

College of Architecture
University of Santo Tomas

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1

Prepared by:
Archt. Clarissa L. Avendaño

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