Early Christian

Architecture
(313-800)
Objectives:

 To determine the influences that effect

development of Early Christian

 To know the architectural character of Early

Christian Period

 To identify the architectural examples of Early

Christian Period
Geographical

Christianity has its birth in Judea, Easter province

of the Roman Empire. It was carried by St. Peter,
St. Paul and other missionaries to Rome, as the
center of the World Empire. Early Christian
Architecture was influenced by the existing Roman
art.
Roman empire, AD 117
In terms of the vastness of territory, Rome reach its zenith under
the rule of Trajan. Trajan, an Antonine ruler, conquered Dacia
(part of modern-day Romania and Hungary) and Arabia, and won
several important victories in Parthia (Iran).
Kingdoms of Judah and
Israel
Despite his desire to unify
and improve the vast
empire of his father, King
David, King Solomon’s
oppressive rule caused
much dissension among
the Israelites and
eventually led to the
division of the kingdom
following his death. The
northern part of his realm
became kingdom of Israel,
while the southern
became the kingdom of
Judah.
Judah under the
Hasmonaeans
More than 800 years after
the initial split between the
kingdoms of Israel and
Judah, the Hasmonaeans
created a new independent
nation where they could
practice a pure form of
Judaism, free from foreign
influence. Also called the
kingdom of Judah, this
nation included many of the
earlier boundaries of the
kingdom of Israel (900?BC).
GEOGOLICAL
The ruins of the roman building provided quarry
where materials were obtained. This influenced
the style for construction, decoration for columns
and other architectural features as well as fine
sculptures and mosaic from older building which
are turned into Basilican churches of the new faith.

CLIMATIC
The climate condition of the Roman provinces
where Christianity was established naturally
modified the style. The fierce the sun and hotter
climate necessitated small
RELIGIOUS
Christianity spread out rapidly and was an
important factor in the development of early
Christian Architecture and inspired the building of
some of the greatest architectural monuments.
Constantine and Licunus issued their celebrated
edict of Milan, giving Christianity equal rights with
other religious and Constantine made it the official
religion. The purpose of the Christian church was
to shelter worshippers who meet for prayer and
praise to an unseen god unlike the Greek and
Roman temples that are built to house the statues
of the deity.
SOCIAL AND POLITICAL
The Early Christian period is generally taken as lasting from
Constantine to the coronation of Charlemagne(800)

Constantine was the prime character but was not

proclaimed emperor, he removed his empire from Roman to
Byzantium and developed a new style of architecture.

The succession of emperors in the west came to an end in

AD 476, and zeno, who reigned at Constantinople, reunited
the western and eastern empires. The liberation of Western
Europe from direct imperial control resulted in the
development of Romano-Teofonic civilization, which was
facilitated the growth of new states and nationalities, gave
new impulse to Christianity and later on, strengthen the
power of the bishops of Roman.
HISTORICAL
The final phase of Roman Architecture from 4th to
6th century is primarily in church building.

ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
Early Christian Architecture is basically Roman in
character but executed it through:
1. Simplicity in design
2. Coarseness in execution
Important Features of the Early Christian Architecture
 They contributed in the development of ribbed vaulting and
arcades and timber trussed roof.

 They used bell tower or campanile in their exterior

 They had either closely spaced columns carrying the

entablature (trabeated) or more widely spaced column
carrying semi-circular arches known as archivolt

 They were usually with three to five aisles covered by simple

trussed roof.

 They used long rows of off-repeated columns from entry to

sanctuary for a long church appearance.

 An arch of triumph (transition through death to life eternal)

gave entrance to sanctuary with the high altar at the corner.
Examples of early Christian Structures

Chief Example: Basilican Curches

There is a general rule in the construction of a
basilican church, it should be built right over the
burial place of the saint to whom the church was
dedicated and over this burial place of the saint to
whom the church was dedicated and over this burial
place, crypt or confession was the high altar covered
by a ciborium also known as tabernacle or
baldochino/Baldacchino.

Modeled from Roman halls of Justice

Evolved from roman dwelling houses
Baldacchino
Parts of the Basilican church
1. Atrium- open rectangular forecourt, surrounded b
arcades which formed as the approach to the church with a
fountain at the center, containing water used for “ablation” (a
form of cleansing)
2. Narthex – covered area between the atrium and the
church and which was assigned to the penitents.
3. Nave and the Aisle- the nave is the central aisle usually
lighted by clear-storey of small windows with as aisle on either
sides usually half the width of the nave.
4. Sanctuary- proceed by the arch of triumph with a high
altar in the center standing free under its “baldachino” upheld by
marble columns.
5. Choir- placed in front of the high altar and was enclosed
by a low screen walls known as cancelli (hence chanel) and was
provided with a pulpit or ambo on either sides use for reading
the epistles and gospel
6. Apse- terminal of the church, where sanctuary is located
and the bishop took the central space. Apse orientation at the
east, while the entrance at the west.
An Early Christian Basilica
1. The Basilican Church of Saint Peter, Rome-
dedicated to the martyrdom of St. Peter by
Constantine
2. St. Paolo Fouri Le Mura, Rome- largest and
most impressive among all basilican churches
3. Church of the Nativity, Bethlehem- founded
by Constantine, built over the traditional birth of
Christ.
4. Church of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem-
founded by Constantine built over the reputed
tomb of Christ.
5. Saint Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna- built in the 6th
and 7th centuries and is the burial place of Saint
Appolinaire, Ravenna’s patron saint. The mosaic in the apse
shows the saint flanked by sheep in a verdant garden. Above
is Christ, depicted as the good shepherd, the sheep
symbolizing the 12 apostles.
Baptisteries
1. Baptisteries of Constantine, Rome- built by
Sixtus III, dedicated to Constantine, oldest among
the Italian baptisteries.
Tombs
2. Tomb of Galla Placida, Ravenna- earliest
building of cruciform plan.
TERMINOLOGIES
Ambulatory - a passageway around the apse of a church
Antepodium - a seat behind the choir reserved for the clergy
Bema -a stage reserved for the clergy
Chevet- the apse, ambulatory and radiating terminal of a church
Clerestory -an upper stage in the church with windows above the
adjacent roof
Clergy- -priest with the other religious elders
Oais- a raised platform reserved for the seating of speakers or
dignitaries
Oratory -a small private chapel furnished with an altar and a crufix
Reredos- an ornamental screen or wall at the back of the altar
Transept -the portion of a church crossing the main axis at the right
angle and forming a cruciform plan
Tribune -a slightly elevated platform or dais for the speaker
Triforium -roof over the aisles below the clerestory
Sepulcher- a tomb or a receptacle for relics especially in a Christian altar.
End