APAH Middle Ages

What road did Catacomb of Priscilla run on?

Via Salaria

What does christian symbol Chi Rho look like?

P and an x going across it (Sign of heaven predicting Constantine’s victory)

Who change Rome to Christian? What Edict did he pass?

Constantine, and he passed the Edict of Milan

Roman Basillica

building used by Romans for public gatherings and law

Why is Santa Sabina important?

It was guide architecture for rest of Roman Christian architecture (it’s on top of a hill)

Santa Sabina Function?

gather for worship

worship Sabrina

What was narthex, apse, nave,?

Narthex = entrance/porch, nave = hallway walk through and gathering, apse = round semicircle at the end with altar and a statue of an emperor/judge

Did Santa Sabina use Spolia, and what are they?

Yes, they are recycled columns from before times.

What is the purpose of the San Vitale?

Glorify Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora

Promote Christianity

Show the power of the Byzantine Empire

It also takes inspiration from Eastern side of Empire (it is mainly west I think)

What is structure of San Vitale?

Central plan, uses some thick columns, off centered entrance, used rounded arches

What is Justinian mosaic/panel?

Shows Justinian super strong emperor with soldiers to his left. also has halo near his head = religious uniformity. purple clothes = riches

Justinian had imperial control (people left to him had purple stripes = government people

Shows connection between the church and the government

What is Theodora Panel

Panel showing Theodora in San Vitale

shows theodora intelligence, political authority

shows theodora recognized women's rights

What does Vienna Genesis show?

Has golden and silver writing on purple parchment

Shows Rebecca and walled castle where she probably lived

was used for religious purposes too

also has a lady that is personification of a river (following Roman traditions)

Does Vienna Genesis show drapery?

yes, shows movement but not depth through outlines

camels = snake like necks

What is unique about the Vienna Genesis narrative?

It has continuous narrative

What is there in Jacob wrestling an angel?

Jacob and his family are crossing a river (Passover)

Jacob then fights with Angel, and angel touches his hip bone

What is Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George use?

Encaustic Wax

What does Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George show in each character?

Mary = looking towards future (not a viewer)

Christ = looks away (anticipates)

Angels = classical styles in the back (perfectized, geometry)

What was the function of Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George?

Worship Mary & Christ = gain protection

portrays Mary as a powerful, forgiving figure

What is Iconoclasm?

The destruction of images/idols.

What was Hagia Sophia often known as?

A “floating dome”

What was the function of Hagia Sophia?

Its function changed a lot. Major religious and political center of the Byzantine Empire at first, then mosque, now a Hagia museum

What is architecture of Hagia Sophia?

It has a central church plan and axial plan

It has two floors

what is crazy is that it is not made of steel but is still super rigid

What key strategy did Hagia Sophia use to support its central dome?

Pendentives = triangular concave things that make weight distribution better

What is a fibula/fibulae?

A pin used to fasten garments

What is the Form of Merovingian looped fibulae?

It has Cloisonne (jewels embedded at the end")

It is zoomorphic (fish and eagle)

Resembles a crossbow

Uses interlacing (putting lines on top of each other to hold each other)

Has silver gilt (put gold over silver to make it look gold while keeping cheap

Filigree = making metals detailed

What was the function of the eagle and fish on the Merovingian looped fibulae?

eagle = power, connect to divine power of god

fish = baptism (rebirth through water), and also “fishing” for more people (Evangelism) - spreading Christian messages

Who created the Lindisfarne Gospels?

Eadfrith

What animals were there on Luke’ Incipit Page?

Cat forepaw, knotted snakes, birds

Also, they are in vivid colors

Also, crossed carpet page had knotted snakes

What is Luke’s Portrait Page?

It shows an evangelist sitting on a stool

he is wearing purple = wealth & important

has religious meaning (religious story for other monks)

gold halo = divine in some way