Late Rome to Early Christian Art

Christ as the Good Shepherd

Rome, Italy

Early Christian

The idea that Christ will care for us, that he is our shepherd; if we follow, we will be guided toward heaven: use of metaphor: use of speech in which a word or a phrase is applied to an object or action to which it is not literally applicable.

Established Roman iconography as inspiration: Christ is youthful similar to Apollo (same name in Roman/Greek) in later Christian art he will be shown older with a beard.

Christ as the Good Shepherd significance

Christ and the Apostles (apse Mosaic)

Santa Pudenziana, Rome, Italy

Early Christian

picts Christ as the ruler of heaven and the source of all authority, which he delegates to his apostle

Christ and the Apostles (apse Mosaic) significance

Old St. Peter’s Basilica

Rome, Italy

Early Christian

As a congressional religion, Christians needed a space large enough to communal rituals such as the Eucharist.

Old St. Peter’s Basilica significance

Justinian Mosaic

Church of San Vitale, Ravenna, Italy

Byzantine

establishes the central position of the Emperor between the power of the church and the power of the imperial administration and military.

Like the Roman Emperors of the past, Justinian has religious, administrative, and military authority.

Justinian Mosaic significance