Late Rome to Early Christian Art Terms

An underground cemetery consisting of a subterranean gallery with recesses for tombs. Larger rooms are referred to as cubiculum where family members would be buried all together.

Catacomb

The Catacomb of San Castillo

Catacomb example

Where the magistrate would sit in a Roman basilica next to an Imperial image and dispense judgement. is a semicircular or polygonal recess in a building that's often found in churches, basilicas, and sometimes synagogues

Apse

Basilica of Constantine

Apse example

a small block of tile, glass, or stone used to make a mossaic. The word "tesserae" comes from Latin and means "cubes" or "dice"

Tesserae

Christ and the Apostles

Tesserae example

In architecture, a plan in which the parts of a building radiate from a central point.

a building design where all parts of the structure radiate outward from a central point, creating a symmetrical layout that can be circular, octagonal, or based on a Greek cross

Central Plan

San Vitale

Central Plan example

Image of a holy person or event.

The word "icon" comes from the Greek which means "image" or "resemblance".

Icons are most commonly paintings, but can also be mosaics, murals, or wood carvings.

Icon

Christ as the Good Shepherd

Icon example

windows that are placed high on a wall, typically above eye level, to allow natural light into a space.

The term "clerestory" comes from the upper level of churches and cathedrals, which were filled with windows and literally added a "clear story" of glass to the building.

Clerestory Window

Basilica of Constantine

Clerestory Window example