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Early Christian Architecture
Early Christian Architecture (100–400AD)
Roman empire
The Early Christian and Byzantine architecture started in two prominent locations, centred at Rome and Byzantium or Constantinople. From the two focal points, Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture spread to other areas in the European and Asian region.
Medieval Era
Rise of Christianity
Social character and belief
The single most important social phenomenon of the early Christian period was the spread and acceptance of the Christian religion. 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.
Edict of Milan
Constantine was the first Roman emperor to convert to Christianity. He played an influential role in the Edict of Milan (313), which declared tolerance for Christianity in the Roman Empire, and later established Christianity as the state religion.
Spread of Christianity
Shift from Roman pagan temples → Christian worship spaces. New spatial requirements for congregational worship.
Why were new forms required?
- Processional movement → A path for processional entry and exit of the clergy
- An altar area, where the clergy (priests) celebrate Mass
- A space for the segregation of the clergy from the congregation (huge crowd) during procession and communion.
- Symbolism & orientation: East-facing apse = direction of sunrise & resurrection.
- Burial space
Bacilica
Transformation of Roman Typologies Adaptation, not invention.
- Pagan temples were exclusive; Christian worship needed inclusive interiors.
- Roman basilica became ideal: civic → religious use.
- The basilica, consisting of a nave flanked (located by side) by lower aisles and terminated by an apse, was adopted as the standard structure in Christian congregational worship
- Retained rectangular form, added symbolic hierarchy.
Old Saint
Peter’s Basilica
Rome,Italy.320
Apse - a location for the altar
Transept - Storage area on both sides of the bema
Nave - a sitting for the clergy
Aisles - a sitting for Common people
Narthex - Entry to the church
Atrium - An open place for Public gathering
St.Peters Bacilica
- Commissioned by Emperor Constantine.
- 5-aisled basilica with large atrium.
- Built over St. Peter’s tomb.
- Introduced the transept → symbolic cross plan.
- Longitudinal plan (nave + aisles).
- Apse with altar at the east end.
- The nave did not lead directly to the apse but instead ended in a transverse space that is as high as the nave.
- Atrium & narthex as transitional spaces.
- Timber trussed roof.
- Clerestory windows for light.
Legacy
Prototype for all later church architecture (Byzantine, Romanesque, Gothic).
Shift from Classical exterior beauty → interior spirituality.
THE EARLY CHRISTIAN BASILICA IS THE ROMANIZATION OF CHRISTIANITY AND THE CHRISTIANIZATION OF ROME.