ARTHIST 101D Lecture 21: Lecture 21 The Mediterranean World in Late Antiquity
Lecture 21 The Mediterranean World in Late Antiquity (the Early Christian Period aka Late
Antique/Late Roman Period)
313 CE: End of tetrarchy (administration of the Roman Empire formed by Diocletian), which split the
Empire into 4 administrative districts
Constantine’s Edict of Milan legalizing Christianity in the Empire
Split between Eastern and Western Roman empire
Eastern empire outlasts Western Roman empire by a millennium and eventually becomes the
Byzantine Empire
330: Constantine makes Constantinople capital of the Roman Empire
Rome is still capital of the Western Roman Empire
380: Theodosius I makes Christianity official Roman State religion, at the persecution of the polytheistic
religions
404: Honorius makes Ravenna capital of the Western Roman Empire (moved from Rome)
Christianity emerges first in the East (near Turkey)
Synagogue of Dura-Europos, Syria
245-256
Tempera on plaster
Wall paintings organized in narrative scenes + Torah niche
Wall painting: Samuel anoints David
o Purple was the imperial color of the Romans – obsession of porphyry
o Porphyry: deep purple marble that comes from Egypt
o Hieratic scale (because Samuel is a religious figure – priest)
Early Christian community house in Dura-Europos, Syria
240-256
Former courtyard of private house, meeting hall, baptistery
o Baptistery room is separated because you cannot go into a prayer hall unless you’re
baptized
Ark of the Catacombs and two menorahs, painted wall in a Jewish catacomb
Villa Torlonia, Rome, Italy
Third century
Catacombs: underground tunnels for burial and rituals– were shared by people
Good Shepherd, the story of Jonah, and orants, painted ceiling of a cubiculum in the Catacomb of Saints
Peter and Marcellinus
Rome, Italy
Early 4th century
Old Testament serves as riddles – each story has a hidden New Testament meaning
Catacomb of Commodilla
Via Ostiense, Rome, Italy
370-385
Sarcophagus with philosopher, orant, and Old/New Testament scenes
270
Marble
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Document Summary
Lecture 21 the mediterranean world in late antiquity (the early christian period aka late. 313 ce: end of tetrarchy (administration of the roman empire formed by diocletian), which split the. Split between eastern and western roman empire. Eastern empire outlasts western roman empire by a millennium and eventually becomes the. Constantine"s edict of milan (cid:523)legalizing christianity in the empire(cid:524) Rome is still capital of the (cid:498)western(cid:499) roman empire. 330: constantine makes constantinople capital of the roman empire. 380: theodosius i makes christianity official roman state religion, at the persecution of the polytheistic religions. 404: honorius makes ravenna capital of the western roman empire (moved from rome) Christianity emerges first in the east (near turkey) Wall paintings organized in narrative scenes + torah niche. Wall painting: samuel anoints david: porphyry: deep purple marble that comes from egypt. Former courtyard of private house, meeting hall, baptistery. Ark of the catacombs and two menorahs, painted wall in a jewish catacomb baptized.