Early Christian Byzantine

ARC 110 History of Architecture I
Module 8 Early 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 27
Early Christian & Byzantine Architecture
Outline of Lecture
Lecture 27
Location and period Social characteristics and beliefs

Location
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
Period
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
Period
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
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
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 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 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 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 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
Social Characteristics & Beliefs 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
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
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
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
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
Early Christian Architecture Introduction

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 Architecture Basilica 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

S. 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

S. 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 Architecture S. 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 Architecture S. 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 Architecture Church Of Nativity, Bethlehem

This is the church of the nativity Bethlehem It was built at the place where Jesus, (Isa alayhi salaam), 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 Architecture Church 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 Alayhi salaam, was born It is therefore a palace of pilgrimage for the Christians

Church 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

Church 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
Module 8 Lecture 28
Outline of Lecture
Lecture 28
Alternative church forms
Introduction Domes and Domes on Pendentives Early Prototypes Hagia Sophia
Early Christian Architecture Alternative 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

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

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

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
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
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
Domes and Domes on Pedentives
Byzantine architecture gave us the pedentive domes and the dome on pedentives The pendentive dome and the dome on pendentives provided 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 Sergius and 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
Early Prototypes
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
Early Prototypes
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 pendentive dome 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
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
Hagia Sophia
Its architects were Isidore of Miletus and Anthemius of 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
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
Hagia Sophia
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
Hagia Sophia
At Hagia Sophia, two opposing arches on the central square open into semi domes, each pierced by 3 smaller radial semidomes At the west (entrance) and east (liturgical) ends, the arched openings are extended and by great half domes carried on smaller semi-domed exedras
Hagia Sophia
Thus a hierarchy of domeheaded 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
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
Hagia Sophia
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
Module 8 Lecture 29
Outline of Lecture
Lecture 29
Byzantine in Other places
Buildings and other architectural elements Building materials, construction and technologies Architectural Organizing principles
Byzantine Arch. in Other Places Introduction

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 Places Introduction

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 Places Santa Sophia, Kiev

Saint Sophia Cathedral in Kiev was named after the Hagia Sophia 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 Places

St 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 Places Monastry 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 Places Monastry 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 Places St 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 Hagia Sophia and the Basilica of the Apostles, both in Constantinople
Byzantine Arch. in Other Places St 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
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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 Byzantine

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ARC 110 History of Architecture I

Module 8 Early Christian & Byzantine Architecture

Architecture of the Civilization

Architecture of the Civilization

Architecture of the Civilization

Early Christian Architecture Introduction

Early Christian Architecture Basilica Church Type

Early Christian Architecture Basilica Church Type

Early Christian Architecture Basilica Church Type

Early Christian Architecture Basilica Church Type

Early Christian Architecture

Early Christian Architecture

Early Christian Architecture S. Peters, Rome AD 333

Early Christian Architecture S. Peters, Rome AD 333

Early Christian Architecture Church Of Nativity, Bethlehem

Early Christian Architecture Church Of Nativity, Bethlehem

Early Christian Architecture

Early Christian Architecture

End of Module 8 Lecture 27

Early Christian Architecture Alternative Church Form

Early Christian Architecture

Round Alternative Form

Round Alternative Form

Round Alternative Form

Round Alternative form

Round Alternative form

Lobed Alternative form

Lobed Alternative Form

End of Module 8 Lecture 28

Byzantine Arch. in Other Places Introduction

Byzantine Arch. in Other Places Introduction

Byzantine Arch. in Other Places Santa Sophia, Kiev

Byzantine Arch. in Other Places

Byzantine Arch. in Other Places Monastry of Hosios Loukas

Byzantine Arch. in Other Places Monastry of Hosios Loukas

Byzantine Arch. in Other Places St Marks, Venice

Byzantine Arch. in Other Places St Marks, Venice

Buildings & Other Arch Elements

Buildings & Other Arch. Elements

Buildings & Other Arch. Elements

Materials, Const. & Tech.

Materials, Construction & Tech.

Materials, Construction & Tech.

Materials, Construction & Tech.

Principles of Arch. Organization

Principles of Arch. Organization

Principles of Arch. Organization

Principles of Arch. Organization

Principles of Arch. Organization

Principles of Arch. Organization

End of Module 8 Lecture 29

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