Constantine & Early Christian Art Vocabulary

Flashcards for key vocabulary terms related to Constantine and Early Christian Art.

Edict of Milan

Legalized all religions in the Roman Empire

Catacombs

Vast underground burial chambers used by early Christians

Loculus

Space in catacombs where bodies were placed

Cubiculum

Room (funerary chapel) inside catacombs

Prefiguration

Making a connection to something that already happened to foreshadow

Lunettes

Hall moon shape over door / window

Sarcophagus

Flesh eater; a container to put a body inside

Spolia

Taking apart a structure to rebuild their own

Triumphal Arch

Monument in ancient Rome to honor emperor or general

Narrative Image

Narrative image recounting an event from the Bible

Iconic Image

Tangible expression of an intangible concept

Tondo

Circle composition

Basilica

Became the model for churches

Good Shepherd

Jesus as a good shepherd; young, clean shaven, Roman clothing prior to Edict of Milan

John the Baptist

Ascetic, left civilization to be fully within faith

Chi Rho Iota

Greek name for Jesus

Shield Wolf with Two Babies

Emblem of Rome

Constantine the Great

Ended the religious persecution of Christians in Rome

Tetrarchic

Mix of older references and new styles of relief

Central Plan

Architectural focal point

Pendentive

Inverted triangular supports for a dome

Martyrium

Buildings built on top of the tomb of a martyr

Icon

Religious image (typically Jesus) was believed to have a small fragment of the figure (holy)

Iconophile

Image loving

Koimesis

Falling asleep of the virgin; death scene of Mary

Pantokrater

Ruler of All; Jesus as the judge at the end of the world

Anastasis

Harrowing of Hell; Jesus descending into hell when in the tomb to defeat Satan

Mandorla

Full body halo