early christian and byzantine architecture

ARC 110History of Architecture I

Module 8Early Christian & Byzantine Architecture

Module Outline Lecture 27

Historical Background Location and period Social characteristics and beliefs

Architecture of the Civilization Early Christian Architecture

Lecture 28 Early Christian Architecture Byzantine Architecture

Lecture 29 Byzantine Architecture

Architectural Characteristics Buildings and other architectural elements Building materials, construction and technologies Architectural Organizing principles

Learning Outcomes We should expect to learn the following

about the civilization The evolution of the Christian place of

worship and the architecture of the Early Christian periods

Architectural response to religious requirements and worship modes

Byzantine structural and architectural developments and principles

Examples of Byzantine architecture

Module 8 Lecture 27Early Christian & Byzantine Architecture

Outline of Lecture

Lecture 27 Historical Background

Location and period Social characteristics and beliefs

Architecture of the Civilization Early Christian Architecture

Historical Background

Historical BackgroundLocation

The Early Christian and Byzantine architecture started in two prominent locations centered at Rome and Byzantium or Constantinople

Early Christian architecture occurred in Rome and in areas around Rome

Byzantine architecture was centered at Byzantium

From the two focal points Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture spread to other areas in the European and Asian region

Historical BackgroundPeriod

The following is a time line of events for the Early Christian and Byzantine period: 29 A.D. Passing of Isa (AS) and

beginning of Christian Religion 286 A.D. Emperor Diocletian reorganizes

the Roman Empire splitting it into two; the Eastern and the Western part

313 A. D. Emperor Constantine recognizes the Christian religion and adopts it as a state religion

Historical BackgroundPeriod

324 A.D. Emperor Constantine reunited the Roman Empire with a new capital at Byzantium

364 A. D. Rome finally splits into two; the Western and Eastern Empire

476 A. D. Rome is sacked by Visgoth and Vandals

632 A. D. Muslim begin an advance on the Byzantine empire

1453 A. D. Byzantium falls to Sultan Muhammad II ending the Byzantine Empire

Historical Background Social Characteristics & Beliefs

The Roman Empire and the Christian Religion The single most important social

phenomenon of the early Christian and Byzantine period was the spread and acceptance of the Christian religion

Early During the period from the first century to the

third century after the death of Jesus, Christianity was a secret society

It was considered dangerous and subversive by the government


The Roman Empire and the Christian Religion Christians met secretly in tombs and

private houses Gradually, however, it spread and became

widely accepted in Asia minor and in Rome itself

By the third century, Rome had a population of 50,000 Christians

The religion was tolerated but it was still illegal


The Roman Empire and the Christian Religion The third century was for the Roman Empire a

period of political instability and decline The Empire was split into a Western and

Eastern Empires In A.D. 313, the Emperor Constantine issued

the Edict of Milan making Christianity legal He also adopted it as a state religion and he

became the first Christian emperor


The Roman Empire and the Christian Religion The acceptance of the religion by the emperor

fueled its expansion It also led to the early development of places

of worship for the new religion Constantine was able to unite the Roman

Empire during his reign He established the capital of the new empire

at Byzantium, renamed Constantinople or the city of Constantine

After his death, the Empire was again split


The Roman Empire and the Christian Religion The Western Empire was sacked by Vandals

and Visigoths in 476, leading to its disintegration

The Eastern Empire with Constantinople as its capital survived for a thousand years,

Although the Eastern Empire was not yet "Byzantine" under Constantine, Christianity would become one of its defining characteristics


The Roman Empire and the Christian Religion The empire was a multinational state Greek became the everyday language as well

as the language of the church and everyday commerce in this empire

The general identity of the Eastern Roman Empire was a combination of Roman statehood, Hellenistic culture and Christian religion


Architecture of the Period With Christianity widely accepted as a state

religion in Rome it was necessary for architecture to respond to the demands of the religion for worship space

Mode of worship was the most important determinant of the form of the church

Requirement for church design was centered on worship and burial


Architecture of the Period The requirements include:

A path for processional entry and exit of the clergy An alter area, where the clergy celebrate mass A space for the segregation of the clergy from the

congregation during procession and communion Burial space


Architecture of the Period The focus of both Early Christian and

Byzantine architecture is on the Christian church

Before the legal recognition of the new faith, Christian places of worship were of necessity inconspicuous with no fixed architectural form

Afterward, however, imposing cult edifices were erected in many parts of the Roman Empire, especially in its major cities

Early Christian builders adapted structures that had been used in the Roman world


Architecture of the Period The basilica, consisting of a nave flanked by lower

aisles and terminated by an apse, was adopted as the standard structure in Christian congregational worship

This was not however the only form adopted More centralized plans which were of round,

polygonal, or cruciform shapes were adopted occasionally

Martyria were erected on sites connected with certain events in the life of Jesus and other places held to be sanctified by the sacrifice of the martyrs


Architecture of the Period In such buildings the martyrium structure and basilica

were combined, creating a new formal synthesis of great significance for Christian religious architecture

Development of the Christian church continued during the Byzantine era

In the Byzantine period focus shifted from the rituals or practices of worship to the building as an embodiment or symbols of the majesty of the faith

Innovative structure was combined with light and decoration to create fascinating interiors

Architecture of the Civilization

Early Christian ArchitectureIntroduction

The term early Christian architecture refers to the architecture of the early Christian churches of the roman era

This is further divided into two types; the basilica church and the alternative church plans

With Christianity accepted as a state religion in Rome and expanding in influence, it became necessary for architecture to respond to the space demands of the new religion

A building used for Christian worship had to provide a path for the processional entry and exit of the clergy, an alter area, where the clergy celebrated mass, a space for the segregation of the clergy from congregation during the procession and communion

Early Christian ArchitectureBasilica Church Type

Apart from administering to the spiritual needs of the living, some churches also provided burial spaces for the dead

The early churches were generally simple and functional in their design

The emphasis was centered on the act of Christian worship

The architecture of the church that developed was not a completely new style, but the use of available Roman forms to satisfy a new program need

The form chosen for the early church was the Roman basilica


It was suitable for use as a church with no serious modification and it could be easily and rapidly built at low cost

The Basilica was also preferred because of the emphasis on participation in mass.

The most common form of the early churches had a rectangular hall with a timber trussed roof

It also had one or two isles on each side of a central nave and an apse at one end facing the principal entrance located at the other end


The apse of the basilica was used as a location for the alter

The nave was used as a sitting for the clergy

Common people sat in the isles The early churches may have a courtyard

or atrium in front of it A fountain is usually located in the center

of such an atrium; This was used for baptism


Most of the early churches had clerestory lighting

Clerestory windows were developed to give light to the central part of the interior

Gradually, the clerestory windows became a symbol of the transcendence and grace of god

Variations in the character of the early church reflected differences in local resources and traditions

Early Christian ArchitectureS. Giovanni in Laterano AD 313-320

A typical example of the early Christian church is S. Giovanni in Laterano Rome

It was the first church commission by Emperor Constantine

It was built as the Cathedral of the Bishop of Rome

It was remodeled several times

Early Christian ArchitectureS. Giovanni in Laterano AD 313-320

The image is a reconstruction of the original church

The church consists of a central nave flanked by two narrow isles and separated from them by a monumental colonnade

The central nave rose above the isle roof, and the inner isle rose above the outer

The nave terminated at an apse

The structure was of brick faced concrete covered with simple trussed-timber roof.

Early Christian ArchitectureS. Peters, Rome AD 333

St Peter was the most important of the basilica churches built by Constantine

The church has a triple entrance gate leading to an atrium

The church like S. Giovanni discussed earlier is a five isles church

The Basilica had a wooden roof of interlocking rafters

The nave did not lead directly to the apse but instead ends in a transverse space that is as high as the nave

Early Christian ArchitectureS. Peters, Rome AD 333

The nave terminated in a triumphal arch that framed the curve of the apse

Some of the early churches were built over the tomb of martyrs and are known as martyrium

St Peters is one of the earliest and most important of the matyrium churches

It was built over what was believed to be the tomb of Saint Peter who was a disciple of Jesus

Early Christian ArchitectureChurch Of Nativity, Bethlehem

This is the church of the nativity Bethlehem

It was built at the place where Jesus, (Isa alayhisalaam), is believed to be born

Here we also find the standard features of a basilica church

These include: A central nave 2 isles on each side of the

nave

Early Christian ArchitectureChurch Of Nativity, Bethlehem

An apse at the head of the nave

An atrium before the entrance

The use of clerestory lighting The most significant aspect

of this church is a large octagon at its head covered by a conical roof

This is the exact location where Jesus, Isa Alayhisalaam, was born

It is therefore a palace of pilgrimage for the Christians

Early Christian ArchitectureChurch of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem AD335

This is the church of the holy sepulcher in Jerusalem

Affected by the constrain of site, it has a very short atrium

It is a 5 isle church terminating at a nave articulated by 12 columns

The side isles had a gallery on top

The outer isles lead to a long peristyle court closing in a curve

Early Christian ArchitectureChurch of the Holy Sepulcher, Jerusalem AD335

This court is believed to frame the holy sepulcher where Christians believe Jesus is believed to be buried

The isles therefore provide access for pilgrims to go round the holy sepulcher

In general, churches that cater for pilgrims usually have a slightly different form

Some of these churches also serve as burial spots for those who want to be buried along with the saints they commemorated

End of Module 8 Lecture 27

Outline of Lecture Lecture 28

Early Christian Architecture Alternative church forms

Byzantine Architecture Introduction Domes and Domes on Pendentives Early Prototypes Hagia Sophia

Early Christian ArchitectureAlternative Church Form

The rectangular basilica was not the only form adopted for the early church

Alternative more centralized plans, with a focus on a central vertical axis rather than a longitudinal horizontal one were also adopted occasionally

The reasons for their adoption is not very clear The centralized churches were of two broad types There were the completely circular churches These had a circular or octagonal space surrounded by

an ambulatory Examples of these include Saint Constanza Rome, the

lateran Baptistery Rome and Saint Stefano Rotondo

Early Christian Architecture Alternative Church Form

The second type of centralized church was the lobed or four-lobed form set within an overall pentagon or square

Examples of this include Holy Apostle Milan and St Lorenzo Milan

In the early years of Christianity, the alternative form was common both in the Eastern and Western Roman Empires, but later the Basilica Become more popular in the West and the centralized alternative form more popular in the Eastern Empire

Round Alternative Form St Constanza

This was a church originally designed as a mausoleum for Emperor Constantines daughter

It was designed as a centralized monument

Round Alternative Form St Constanza

It is symmetrical in plan with a domed central space

The domed central space was ringed by an arcade with 12 pairs of double colonnade

Beyond the arcade is an encircling ambulatory

A barrel vault is used to roof the ambulatory

Round Alternative Form Lateran Baptistery

The lateran Baptistery was built by Emperor Constantine in A.D. 315

It was designed to mirror S. Constanza

The circular scheme of S. Constanza was in this church changed to two octagonal rings

A ring of trabeated colonnade defined the central space

Round Alternative form St Stefano Rotondo

It was built in A.D. 468 and was the first circular church in Rome

It is the largest circular church, having diameter of about 36 meters

The plan of the church blends the cruciform with a circular plan

It has a huge central nave

Round Alternative form St Stefano Rotondo

The central nave is encircled by ionic columns and is lit by 22 clerestory windows

An ambulatory surrounds the colonnade of the nave and opens to four chapels used to define a cruciform shape

Lobed Alternative form Holy Apostle, Milan AD 370

This is basically a square form church with a central plan

It was built as the church of the imperial palace, when the capital of the Western Empire moved to Milan

It had a square central space 23.5 meters wide extending in all four directions

The central space was defined by a 2-storey columnar screen supporting some half domes

Several subsidiary octagonal structures are grouped around the main church

Lobed Alternative Form St Lorenzo Milan

This church was laid out as a huge cross shaped structure

It has a single aisle nave opening through columnar screens into its transept arms

Each of the arms terminate with a projecting portal hall

The building is a martyrium, holding relics of apostles in a casket beneath the alter

Byzantine Architecture Introduction

By the end of the 5th century AD, Rome had completely declined

It had been sacked twice and was then under occupation Its influence was significantly reduced and the Impetus

for architectural innovation shifted to the Byzantine Empire

This shift also marks the movement from early Christian civilization to the Byzantine civilization

Under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian, the Byzantine style of architecture evolved

His interest in church building led to the discovery of the groin vault and the evolution of the Byzantine style

Byzantine Architecture Introduction

Although it is impossible to identify two similar Byzantine churches, it is still possible to identify the basic characteristics of an ideal Byzantine church

The attributes of the ideal church included: The use of a centralized church plan The use of surrounding isles The use of pendantives and dome on pendentives And the use of a complex program of interior

structure, lighting and decoration to create fascinating interiors

Byzantine Architecture Domes and Domes on Pedentives

Byzantine architecture gave us the pedentive domes and the dome on pedentives

The pendentive dome and the dome on pendentivesprovided the Byzantine architects with a unique way of adjusting the circular form of a dome roof to a square or polygonal plan

This type of dome was invented by the Romans but was seldom used by them

It was the Byzantine builders who used it to create dramatic interiors

In the Pantheon in Rome, the Dome roof had to be supported by a circular plan

The walls of the plan had to be thick to counterbalance the forces from the Dome


The pendentive dome is derived by trimming the sides of a regular dome over a square plan as shown in A.

The pendentive dome enables the transfer the total load of the dome to the four corners of a building, meaning that only the four corners need to be reinforced

This allows the dome roof to be adapted for a square building as shown in B


Additionally, the top of the pendentive dome can be trim to introduce another dome on top of it as shown in C

The additional dome can further be raised to introduce a cylinder between the pendentive dome and the additional dome as in D

Windows can then be introduced in the cylinder enabling architects to creating dazzling interior light effects

Early Prototypes St Vitale Ravenna AD 526-547

Byzantine architecture has its early prototypes in two churches, San Vitale (526-47), Ravenna and in Saint Sergiusand Saint Bacchus in Constantinople

Ravenna once served as the seat of the Roman Empire

The church is among the most important monument of Byzantine architecture

It was also the prototype for the Hagia Sophia which was built 10 years later


The church is octagonal in plan

It has a domed octagonal core surrounded by ground level ambulatory with a gallery above it

The outer wall of the ambulatory is also octagonal

It has an apse which extends from the central core to one of the 8 sides of the outer octagon


The domed roof of the church is raised on a drum allowing it greater height and lighting

The dome has a diameter of 17 meters and a height of 30 meters

The Byzantine characteristics of the church include:

Its central planning The structural arrangement of its

central dome The use of surrounding isles And the way structure, lighting and

decoration have been integrated in the interior of the church

Early Prototypes St. Sergius and Bacchus, Constantinople

It was built as a palace church between A.D. 527-536

It is based on the four-lobed alternative church plan of early Christian architecture

The church in plan consist of an octagonal core set in a very loose rectangular form

The form of the church was not a perfect square

Early Prototypes St. Sergius and Bacchus, Constantinople

The central space was covered by a dome

The octagon of the central dome has a small but true pendentivedome

This church was constructed very shortly before Hagia Sophia and was believed to be a experiment

The dome, its adaptation to a squarish form, the use of pendentive and the lighting and decoration scheme in the interior gives it its Byzantine characteristics

Byzantine Architecture Hagia Sophia

Hagia Sophia or the church of the holy wisdom is the most accomplished master piece in the history of architecture

The church was constructed in 532 A.D. by Emperor Justinian in Constantinople now Istanbul

Hagia Sophia was the greatest vaulted space without intermediate supports that has ever been built and it remained so throughout the history of the Byzantine Empire


Its architects were Isidoreof Miletus and Anthemiusof Tralles, professors of geometry at the University of Constantinople

The church provides an expert solution to the problem of how to place a dome on a square base

The solution was to use pendantives


Hagia Sophia is covered by a central dome 102 feet (31 m) across, slightly smaller than the Pantheon's

The dome seems rendered weightless by the unbroken arcade of arched windows under it, which help flood the colorful interior with light

The dome is carried on pendentives

The weight of the dome passes through the pendentives to four massive piers at the corners


Between them the dome seems to float upon four great arches

These four concave triangular sections of masonry solved the problem of setting the circular base of a dome on a rectangular base

The church form is a combination of centralized and longitudinal structure

Longitudinal direction is defined by domes to the east and west


At Hagia Sophia, two opposing arches on the central square open into semi domes, each pierced by 3 smaller radial semi-domes

At the west (entrance) and east (liturgical) ends, the arched openings are extended and by great half domes carried on smaller semi-domed exedras


Thus a hierarchy of dome-headed elements build up to create a vast oblong interior crowned by the main dome, a sequence never seen before in antiquity

Of great artistic importance was its decorated interior with mosaics and marble pillars and coverings

The combination of interior decoration with lights flooding from its domes creates a glittering internal environment


Hagia sophia dominated church architecture after the 6th century AD

For over 900 years it was the seat of the Orthodox patriarch of Constantinople and a principal setting for imperial ceremonies

Hagia Sophia was converted to a mosque at the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks under Sultan Mohammad II in 1453

Its rich figurative mosaics were covered with plaster and replaced by Islamic motifs


It was for almost 500 years the principal mosque of Istanbul

Hagia Sophia served as model for many of the great Ottoman mosques of Constantinople such as the Shehzade Mosque, the Suleiman Mosque, and the Rustem Pasha Mosque

After continuing as a mosque for many years, it was in 1934 turned by Turkish authorities into the Hagia Sophia Museum

Outline of Lecture Lecture 29

Byzantine Architecture Byzantine in Other places

Architectural Characteristics Buildings and other architectural elements Building materials, construction and

technologies Architectural Organizing principles

Byzantine Arch. in Other PlacesIntroduction

Byzantine churches, each with a central dome opening into surrounding semi domes and other vault forms and accompanied by the characteristic iconography proliferated throughout the Byzantine Empire Greece, Balkans, Asia manor, part of north Africa and Italy

It also influenced the design of churches in western Christendom

The later churches however lacked the power and vigor of the Hagia Sophia and were of a smaller scale compared to it

Byzantine Arch. in Other PlacesIntroduction

As Byzantine architecture spread, it also developed with a regional flavor

Many cities built Byzantine churches that were reflective of regional practices

Some of the most prominent ones are Santa Sophia Kiev, Saint Basils Moscow, Monastry of Hosios Loukas, and Church of Graenica Yugoslavia

Byzantine Arch. in Other PlacesSanta Sophia, Kiev

Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev was named after the HagiaSophia cathedral in Constantinople

The first foundations were laid in 1037 by prince Yaroslav

The church measures 37 X 55 meters

The cathedral has 5 naves, 5 apses, and 13 cupolas (domes)

It is surrounded by two-tier galleries from three sides

In 1934 the cathedral was confiscated by the Soviets and turned it into an architectural and historical museum

Byzantine Arch. in Other PlacesSt Basils, Moscow AD 1551-1536

Commission by Ivan the Terrible of Russia and built as the capitals main parish church

The ground plan is an eight pointed star at the center of which is a rectangular chamber and an apse

Eight domed tower chapels are distributed around the central chamber

In Saint Basil Moscow, the Byzantine dome finally became onion shaped tops of towers,

The Byzantine program of interior lighting and decoration was also lost

Instead, it was replaced by the use of brilliant exterior colors

Byzantine Arch. in Other PlacesMonastry of Hosios Loukas

Built around 1020 A.D.

It has a complex plan with 8 piers carrying its large central dome

The church plan integrates a cross in square with an octogan dome scheme

The result is an effect of interpenetrating space

Byzantine Arch. in Other PlacesMonastry of Hosios Loukas

Combined with lights from its dome and its decoration it give a clear expressing of its Byzantine character

On the outside, its construction materials reflect local practices

Byzantine Arch. in Other PlacesSt Marks, Venice

St Mark is also a notable example of Byzantine architecture

It lies on St Mark's Square, one of the most famous squares in the world

The church has five domes each toping a square

The church is based on a Greek cross floor plan, based on part on the HagiaSophia and the Basilica of the Apostles, both in Constantinople

Byzantine Arch. in Other PlacesSt Marks, Venice

Each arm of the cross is of the same length and is covered by a dome

A dome also covers the square space at the center

While the basic structure of the building has been little altered, its decoration changed greatly over time

The front faade is Gothic and was added much later

Architectural Characteristics

Buildings & Other Arch Elements

Buildings & Other Arch. Elements

Early Christian and Byzantine architecture was a continuation of the Roman Empire

Buildings and building practices continued from the Roman period to the Early Christian and Byzantine period

All Roman civic and Residential buildings were used during the Early Christian and Byzantine period

The only new element and the focus in the examination of the Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture is the Christian church

Buildings & Other Arch. Elements

The spread of Christianity in Rome led to the evolution of the Christian place of worship

The form of the early church was not new but an adaptation of the Roman Basilica

This form later evolved into an alternative church plan that was either round or lobed

The Byzantine church form evolved much later than the Early Christian church forms

Materials, Const. & Tech.

Materials, Construction & Tech. The Early Christian and Byzantine period also

had access to similar building materials and construction technology as the Roman civilization

Building Materials were common between the two locations

Where materials were not available, they were imported from colonies of the empire

In construction technology, the greatest contribution during the Early Christian and Byzantine era was the discovery of the pendentive and Dome on pendentive

Materials, Construction & Tech.

Using pendentives and Dome on pendentive, Byzantine architects were able to adapt the circular profile of a dome roof to a square plan

By using several overlapping domes, Byzantine architects were able to create an intricate interior structural system and external roof system

Intricate interior structural systems combined with decoration and lighting created fascinating interior effects

Materials, Construction & Tech. Technology

The Early Christian and Byzantine period saw the most extensive use of clerestory windows

From early basilica churches to Byzantine churches, clerestory windows were used to provide lighting in the interior of churches and together with decoration enabled the creation of interesting interiors

Principles of Arch. Organization

Principles of Arch. Organization Introduction

It is possible to understand forces and principles shaping Early Christian and Byzantine architecture by examining the following issues: Religious Ritual Symbolism Construction Technology

Principles of Arch. Organization Religious Rituals

The various ritual that comprise Christian religious worship played a fundamental part in the evolution of the Christian place of worship

Design closely mirror rituals of the religion The initial choice of the Basilica was because of

its easy adaptability to a Christian church Later when practices started changing, the

alternative church forms evolved Ritual practices and function played a more

significant influence on church form during the Early Christian period than during the Byzantine period

Principles of Arch. Organization Symbolism

Symbolism also played a significant role in the evolution of the form of the Christian church

Spirituality and mysticism were integrated into the experience of church spaces

During Christian architecture, Symbolism in the experience of space become a predominant issue in design

The use of light and decoration to create fascinating interiors but function still predominated

Principles of Arch. Organization Symbolism

During the Byzantine period the Church itself became a symbol of the faith

The Church is viewed as a house of god and its design and construction as a reflection of this symbolism

The scale of the church was therefore increased and its decoration became more complex

In this respect we see a contrast between an overriding emphasis in Early Christian architecture on function and rituals, and in Byzantine architecture on symbolism

Principles of Arch. Organization Construction Technology

Construction technology was a major influence on Church form during the ECB period

The Basilica was chosen during the Early Christian period partly for its ease of construction

Ease of construction means places of worship could be provided for the expanding believers

During the Byzantine era, discovery of pendentives and dome on pedentives changed technology for church construction

Provided means to achieve church forms that reflected the significance of churches as house of God

early christian and byzantine architecture

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