Early Christian–Byzantine & Gothic Architecture – Exam Notes

Capital shift to Byzantium → Constantinople by Emperor Constantine $323$ A.D.; Christianity becomes state religion
Architectural shift from Roman basilica to church
- Plans: circular Greek cross / centralized; or longitudinal basilica
- Materials: brick, plaster, stone; rich mosaics replace carving
- Structural advances: pendentive dome, complex domes on piers; alabaster windows for soft light
Basic basilica elements
- Atrium → narthex → nave (clerestory) → aisles → apse with altar & baldachin
Key monuments
- Old St. Peter’s, Rome: prototype basilica
- Santa Sabina, Rome ( $422$ – $432$ ): best‐preserved early basilica; simple white interior, classical columns
- San Vitale, Ravenna ( $526$ – $547$ ): octagonal, domed core + ambulatory; lavish interior mosaics; model for Hagia Sophia
- Hagia Sophia, Constantinople ( $532$ – $537$ ) by Anthemios & Isidoros
- Hybrid longitudinal nave + central dome
- Massive $31$ m dome on square via pendentives; light ring of windows creates “floating” effect
- Later conversions: Church → Mosque ( $1453$ ) → Museum ( $1935$ )

Flourished $12^{th}$ – $16^{th}$ C; evolved from Romanesque, precedes Renaissance
Aimed to cover wide spans with masonry vaults while flooding interiors with light

Ribbed vault: transverse + longitudinal + diagonal ribs; allows higher clerestory & flexible spans
Pointed arch: variable width with equal height; redirects thrust efficiently
Flying buttress: exterior half‐arches conduct thrust to piers, freeing walls for windows
Plan: Latin cross, tall nave, aisles, transept, choir
Emphasis on height (verticality) and light (large stained‐glass windows, rose windows)

Early Gothic ( $1140$ –early $12^{th}$ C)
- 4‐tier wall (arcade, gallery, triforium, clerestory); lancet windows; thick walls
- Example: Notre-Dame, Paris (begun $1160$ ), nave height $35$ m
High Gothic ( $1210$ – $13^{th}$ C)
- 3‐tier wall; 4‐rib vaults; mature flying buttress
Rayonnant ( $1226$ – $14^{th}$ C)
- Focus on window tracery; vast rose windows, slim masonry
Late/Flamboyant ( $1230$ s– $16^{th}$ C)
- Curvilinear “flame” tracery, ogee arches (e.g., Limoges Cathedral)

Early English / Lancet ( $1180$ – $1275$ )
- Pointed arches, paired/triple lancet windows, first flying buttress use; dog-tooth ornament
- Examples: Salisbury Cathedral (spire $123$ m), Westminster Abbey choir
Decorated ( $1275$ – $1380$ )
- Geometric → Curvilinear window tracery; ball-flower motif; slender columns
- Examples: Lincoln Cathedral, York Minster west front
Perpendicular ( $1380$ – $1520$ )
- Strong vertical paneling; huge traceried windows; fan vaults; hammer-beam timber roofs
- Example: Westminster Hall roof (unsupported since $1399$ )