HISTORICAL BACKGROUND
313 - Edict of Milan; Christianity became the official religion of the Roman Empire under Emperor Constantine the Great.
330 - Dedication of Constantinople (city of Constantine; now Istanbul, Turkey); capital of the Roman Empire moved from Rome to Constantinople.
395 - Final split between the eastern and western portions of the Roman Empire under Emperor Theodosius.
410, 455 - Rome plundered by Visigoths and Vandals respectively.
476 - Western Roman Empire fell to the barbarians.
ca. 550 - Byzantine control of the Mediterranean basin achieved by Emperor Justinian; brief re-unification of the territories once held by the Roman Empire.
by 570 - Byzantine Empire lost control over much of the conquered territory.
by 590 - The Papacy emerges as the temporal power of the first order in the West; Pope Gregory I, the Great (590-604).
630-60 - Rapid ascendance of the Arabs; Arab conquest of Syria, Egypt, North Africa. Disruption of ancient trade routes, profound changes in Western European economy ultimately resulting in reorientation toward own resources.
711 - Arab conquest of Spain.
732 - Battle of Poitiers; Charles Martel stops the Arabs.
REVIEW: THE ROMAN IMPERIAL TRADITION AND EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE
Following the Edict of Milan there was a flurry of building activity. Architecture under Constantine tended to be large in scale and ostentatious in character, following the traditions of Roman Imperial architecture.
Rome -- Basilica Nova (Basilica of Maxentius and Constantine), 307 -after 312.
A good example of a Roman imperial building. The largest vaulted hall in the ancient world. Constructed by brick-faced concrete and topped by vaults over the nave and transverse barrel vaults over the side aisles. Nave measures 255 x 81 ft.
Rome -- Old St. Peter's, begun ca. 320.
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A five-aisled basilica with a transept at the western end. St. Peter's tomb located on the chord of the apse. Originally the main portion of the building served as a cemetery basilica, while the transept functioned as a martyrium, allowing pilgrims access to the tomb. By the end of the fourth century, St. Peter's had been transformed into a parish church. Total length: 400 ft.
Rome -- S. Sabina, ca. 422-32.
A three-aisled basilica without a transept, more typical in its scale of early Christian production.
EARLY MEDIEVAL ARCHITECTURE: GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
The tradition of monumental architecture in the West ceased with the disappearance of imperial patronage and the collapse of Roman rule. Church architecture from the 6th to the 8th centuries was characterized by small scale and provincial flavor which have caused some to refer to this period as the "Dark Ages." A continuation of late Roman practices is mixed with new influences. Elements sometimes resemble the architecture of the Eastern Mediterranean, although a direct connection is difficult to prove. By the middle of the 8th century, the strong influence of Papal Rome may be detected in the architecture.
A. VISIGOTHIC SPAIN
During the 6th and 7th centuries, the Visigoths gradually assumed control of the Iberian peninsula. In 711 the area was conquered by the Arabs. The Asturian reconquest of the north of Spain began in 722. Architecture was small-scale and defined by cubic masses.
Palencia (near) -- San Juan Bautista de Banos, 661.
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Built by Visigothic King Reccesvinth.
A basilica of small size--nave ca. 15 ft. wide--with a compartmentalized interior. Ashlar construction with horseshoe arches (often compared with Syrian examples).Zamora (near) -- San Pedro de la Nave, ca. 691.
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A combination of a small-scale basilica and features of possibly Eastern derivation, i.e., tower at crossing (cf. Alahan Monastery, late 5th century). Ashlar construction with some brick used in the vaulting. Carved ornament of interior signals emergence of medieval architectural decoration.
B. FRANKISH GAUL
The area which is now France was Christianized in 496 with the conversion of King Clovis. Little remains from the early period, as most major sites were rebuilt in the later Middle Ages.
Grenoble -- Saint-Laurent, crypt, late 6th or 7th century.
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Originally a cemetery chapel, above ground; later incorporated into a larger building. Tetraconch plan with Roman spolia as decoration.
C. ANGLO-SAXON ENGLAND
England became Christianized beginning in 597 by Roman missionaries under the leadership of St. Augustine (Apostle of England) who became first bishop of England.
Canterbury -- Saints Peter and Paul, 602-04.
Founded by St. Augustine, the church is known only through partial excavation. Plan was a single-aisled basilica with side chambers for burials.
Brixworth -- All Saints Church, 8th century (?).
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Similar fragmented plan. Use of Roman brick and imitation of Roman brickwork in construction.
D. LANGOBARD ITALY
Langobards invaded Italy after the death of Emperor Justinian (568). By 574 they set up independent duchies with centers in Benevento, Capua, Spoleto. By mid-8th century Langobards became a threat to the Papacy. In 753, Pope Stephen II seeks help from Pepin, the King of the Franks. The peak of architectural activity among the Langobards was in the 8th century.
Benevento -- Santa Sofia, 758-768.
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"Copy" of H. Sophia in Constantinople. Medieval concept of `copies' (significance of dedication and function). Built as `state' and `palace church.' Curiously complex plan.
E. PAPAL ROME
The importance of the Papacy as a political power reached a high point under Pope Gregory I, the Great (590-604). New local architectural ideas are combined with continuing strong Byzantine influence. Growing importance of Rome as a major pilgrimage center.
Rome -- St. Peter's; remodeling of the access to the shrine, 590-604.
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Functional problems resulting from the original placement of the shrine became apparent as soon as the church began to be used for daily services (originally, it was a cemetery church used for occasional services only). The new solution proved very influential in the subsequent development of church architecture.
Rome -- S. Agnese (on Via Nomentana), 625-38, under Pope Honorius I.
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Adjacent to the large cemetery basilica built ca. 350. Built directly over the tomb of St. Agnes, located in catacombs; consequently church was `sunken' into the hill. Eastern type of a basilica with galleries (cf. Church of Virgin, Thessaloniki.)
