Early Christian

and
Byzantine Architecture
 Architectural
Characteristics
1. Buildings and other arch. elements
• Early Christian and Byzantine architecture was a continuation of the
Roman Empire
• Roman – Early Christian – Byzantine period
• All Roman civil and residential buildings were used during the Early
Christian and Byzantine period
• The spread of Christianity in Rome led to the evolution the Christian place
of worship
• The form of the early church not new but an adaption 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
2. Materials, construction and technology
• The Early Christian and Byzantine period also had access
to similar building materials and construction
technology as the Roman civilization
• Building materials were common b/n the two location
• 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 create an intricate
interior structural system and external roof system
• Intricate interior structural systems combined with
decoration and lighting created fascinating interior
effect
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
3. Principle of Arch. Organization
• Its possible to understand forces and principles
shaping Early Christian and Byzantine architecture by
examining the following issues:
▫ Religious Rituals
 Ritual practices and function played a more significant influence on
church form during EC than during Byzantine
▫ Symbolism
 Symbolism in the experience of space become a predominant issue in
design
▫ Construction Technology
 Basilica (Cathedral ) was chosen for its ease of construction
Early Christian Architecture
• Time period:3rd – 7th centuries
• The term Early Christian refers to the
architecture related to Christian religion
• After Christianity is recognized, receiving official
approval from Roman Empire, (Emperor
Constantine)
• Christians begin constructing religious
structures adapted from Roman prototypes
Architecture
1. Plans
• The Early Christian followed the basilica models for
their new churches.
• Also have used old Roman halls, baths, dwelling-
houses and even pagan temples as places of worship.
2. Walls
• These were still constructed according to Roman
methods of using rubble or concrete faced with
plaster, brick or stone
• Mosaic decorations was added internally and
sometimes also externally on west facades
• Little regard was paid to exterior (external walls)
3. Openings
• Arcades, doors and windows were either spanned by
a semicircular arch.
• Which in a nave arcades, often rested directly on the
capitals without any entablature or were spanned by a
lintel (beam)
4. Roofs
• Timber roofs covered the central nave and only
simple forms of constructions , such as king and
queen post trusses were employed
• The narrowed side aisles were occasionally vaulted
• Apse was usually domed and lined with beautiful
glass mosaics, which formed a fitting background to
the sanctuary
▫ Commonly, the apse is the semicircular or polygonal termination
to the choir or sanctuary, or sometimes at the end of an aisle.
5. Columns
• Differ both in design and size, often taken from earlier
Roman buildings.
▫ It was natural that early Christian builders should use
materials and ornament of the pagan Romans
• Used Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian or Composite
from ancient Roman buildings, except those in S.Paolo
Fuori le Mura
• The carved capitals are governed by Roman pagan
precedent and sometimes by that of Byzantine and
both in the acanthus leaf forms an important part
6. Moldings (decoration or details)
• Coarse variations of old Roman types, and the
caving, though rich in general effect, is crude; for
the technique of the craftsman had gradually
declined.
• Enrichments were incised on moldings in low
relief and the acanthus ornament, although still
copied from the antique, became more
conventional in form
7. Ornament
• The introduction of color gave richness and
glimmering mystery to interiors
• The mosaics which was the principal form of interior
ornament, lined the domed apses generally
represented Christ surrounded by apostles and saints
with all those symbolic emblems
• Usually made of glass
• Wall painting usually in figure forms
Byzantine architecture
• Byzantine architecture is a style of building that
flourished under the rule of Roman Emperor
Justinian between A.D. 527 and 565.
• Byzantine architecture dominated the eastern half of
the Roman Empire during the reign of Justinian the
Great
• the influences spanned centuries, from 330 until the
fall of Constantinople in 1453 and on into today's
church architecture.
Characteristics of Byzantine Architecture
• Original Byzantine churches are square-shaped with a
central floor plan.
• churches might have one, dominant center dome of
great height, rising from a square base on half-dome
pillars
• blended Western and Middle Eastern architectural
details and ways of doing things
• Mosaic decorations and narratives were common
• Clerestory windows became a popular way for
natural light and ventilation to enter an otherwise
dark and Smokey building
Construction and Engineering Techniques
• turned to the structural use of pendetives to elevate
domes to new heights
Design Characteristics:
• Plans are basilica types, are centralized and often
complex.
• Exteriors are simple and plain until 11th century
• when they become more complex, colorful and
decorated with ornaments
• Interiors are richly decorated with paintings, marble
panels and mosaics
• Byzantine churches have a little sculpture because of
iconoclasm, which combines Christian symbols such as
cross, with floral, geometric and animal forms
Architecture
• Early churches follow the basilica plan but eventually most are
centralized and square with domes
• Variations of Greek cross (cross with equal length arms) and
central domes are typical
• Taller, narrower forms, more domes, more exterior
ornamentation characterize Late Byzantine Churches
• Materials: brick. Vaults and domes are out of brick to eliminate
centering
• Externally the buildings were left plain
• Some times alternate rows of stone and brick, in various colors
Public and Private Buildings
• Colors: gold, green, red, blue
• Floors: have patterns of marble, stone, or mosaics often of
geometric patterns.
• Walls: are articulated with columns, pilasters, and cornices.
Walls are richly colored and decorated.
• Mosaics: Byzantine mosaic have more gold and reflective
surfaces than Early Christian, as the symbol of Christ as the
light of world. Placement of figural decorations is hierarchical.
• Windows: are often numerous and made of glass or alabaster.
• Doors: of iron, bronze or wood
• Ceilings: center or crossing of churches have domes;
Mosaic and Windows
Columns
• Byzantine columns are quite varied, mostly
developing from the classical Corinthian, but
tending to have an even surface level, with the
ornamentation undercut with drills
S. Apollinare
Hagia Sophia