Introduction to Christian Art From the Fifth to Eight Century - Christian Art History

Christian Art From the Fifth to Eight Century

Christian Art and Paintings History > Early Christian and Byzantine Art > Art of The Early Christian Period c. 300-750 AD > Christian Art From the Fifth to Eight Century > Introduction to Christian Art From the Fifth to Eight Century

1) Introduction to Christian Art From the Fifth to Eight Century
2) Mosaics, Paintings and Illuminated Manuscripts of Christian Art From the Fifth to Eight Century
3) Sculpture of Christian Art From the Fifth to Eight Century

Introduction to Christian Art From the Fifth to Eight Century*

In the course of the fifth century, all the provinces from Africa to Britain fell under Barbarian rule. In 404 Heraclius established his capital at Ravenna, and in 410 Alaric the Goth plundered Rome and left it in ruins. In 455 this destruction was repeated by the Vandals, and by 476 the Western half of the Empire had fallen and Italy was ruled by Barbarian kings. The only stabilising factor was the Church under Leo I the Great, whose jurisdiction was recognised even in lands from which imperial power had disappeared entirely. The Eastern Empire, however, in spite of Barbarian pressure, was stronger than ever. Under Justinian (527-565), parts of Africa, Spain and Italy were reconquered temporarily. The Empire embraced lands with different religious and ethnic traditions and was thus torn by religious disputes and heresies. The Emperor, who regarded the control and protection of the Church as part of his sway, now also became the head
of the Church.

It is to this period that we can now assign most of the large basilicas in Rome (e.g. S. Paolo Fuori le Mure; S. Sabina; S. Maria Maggiore) and those in Ravenna (S. Apollinare in Classe; S. Apollinare Nuovo, etc.) as well as churches based on a centralised plan (Lateran Baptistry of St John Lateran and S. Stefano Rotondo in Rome; Mausoleum of Galla Placidia; San Vitale and the Orthodox Baptistry in Ravenna, etc.), as well as several other significant churches, such as H. Georgios in Salonika, H. Sophia in Constantinople, the Basilica of St John in Ephesus and Qualat-Siman in Syria.

*Based on notes compiled by Karin M. Skawran for the University of South Africa.

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