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Chapter Seven: Early Christianity: Ravenna and Byzantium

Explore the impact of Byzantine culture on art, religion, and politics through iconic structures like Hagia Sophia, San Vitale, and Saint Catherine's Monastery.

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Chapter Seven: Early Christianity: Ravenna and Byzantium

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  1. Chapter Seven:Early Christianity: Ravenna and Byzantium

  2. The Decline of Rome • Constantinople : “new” Rome • Geographic advantages • Council of Nicaea • Arian Controversy

  3. Literature, Philosophy, and ReligionAugustine of Hippo • Bishop of Hippo (390) • Augustinian Premise • Absolute majesty of God • Immutability of God’s will • Flawed state of the human condition • The City of God • Linear history • Confessions • Autobiography, self-reflection

  4. Literature, Philosophy, and ReligionBoethius • Classical paganism + Christianity • The Consolation of Philosophy • Issues of human freedom • Praevidentia vs. Providence • Plato, Aristotle, Cicero, Augustine

  5. Byzantium • Constantinople • Justinian and Theodora • Restoration of the Empire • Western Silk Industry • Revised / Codified Roman Law • Tribonian • Code, Pandects, Institutes • Christian fanaticism • 25+ churches and convents

  6. Church of Hagia Sophia • Unified basilica and dome • Pendatives • Ethereal light • Divine Liturgy of St. Chrysostom • Converted to mosque (post 1453)

  7. 7.3 Hagia Sophia, 532-537. Constantinople (Istanbul), Turkey

  8. 7.4 Interior of Hagia Sophia

  9. Ravenna:Art and Architecture • Roman+Gothic+Byzantine • Mosaics of Galla Placidia • Lunettes, apse, dome • Trompe l’oeil • Neonian Baptistery • Octagonal • Mosaics as “theology in color”

  10. 7.6 Christ as the Good Shepherd, 5th century, Lunette mosaic, Mausoleum of Galla Placida, Ravenna, Italy

  11. Ravenna:Art and Architecture • Arian Baptistery • Severely decorated • Passion/Resurrection of Christ • Church of Sant’ Apollinare Nuovo • Theodoric’s palace church • Basilica style • Rich mosaics (Roman and Byzantine)

  12. 7.8 Church of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, ca. 493-526. Ravenna, Italy

  13. 7.9 Miracle of the loaves and fishes. Mosaic from the uppermost register of the nave wall, above the clerestory windows, Church of Sant’Apollinare Nuovo, Ravenna, Italy

  14. Church of San Vitale • Octagons, dome, squinches • Program of mosaics • Christ Enthroned • Justinian as Christ on earth (paten) • Theodora with chalice

  15. 7.10 Church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy

  16. 7.11 Christ enthroned, with Saint Vitalis and Bishop Ecclesius, ca. 530. Ceiling mosaic, Church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy

  17. 7.12 Emperor Justinian and courtiers, ca. 547. Mosaic, south wall of the apse, Church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy

  18. 7.13 Empress Theodora and retinue, ca. 547. Mosaic, south wall of the apse, Church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy

  19. Saint Catherine’s Monastery at Mount Sinai • Built by Justinian • Repository of art and culture • Codex Sinaiticus • Vast collection of religious icons

  20. 7.15 Aerial view of the fortress of Saint Catherine’s Monastery, 6th century. Sinai Desert, Egypt

  21. The Legacy of Byzantine Culture • Influence on Russian Culture • Italo-Byzantine Style • Theological conservatism, aesthetic stability (iconography) • Reinfusion of Greek culture • Greek refugee scholars • Classical learning in the Renaissance

  22. Chapter 7: Discussion Questions • Explain the difference in worldview between Augustine and Boethius. What issues were principal to their philosophies? Where did their ideologies overlap? Diverge? • What role did the iconoclastic controversy play in the arts of Constantinople and Ravenna? In light of this controversy, what is the significance of the findings at Saint Catherine’s monastery? • Reflect on the reciprocal relationships between the Byzantine culture (art, religion, politics) and other cultures. What did the various cultures “share” with one another? What is the legacy of this relationship?

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