ART 102 Lecture 12: Jewish and Early Christian Art #10
Document Summary
Three religions from the near east that dominate the spiritual life of the western world today. All 3 are monotheistic: believe that the same god of abraham created and rules the universe and hears the prayers of the faithful. Judaism and christianity existed in the roman empire. In 3rd and 2nd centuries, roman society represented a cosmopolitan religious character. Judaism: believe god made a covenant (pact) with their ancestors (hebrews) and that they are god"s chosen people. Await coming of the savior (the messiah) Jewish people originated from semiotic hebrews in canaan (present day palestine) along easter edge of mediterranean. In the torah, god promised abraham canaan would be homeland for the jewish. In 2nd millennium bce, the prophet moses, led hebrews out of slavery in egypt to promised land of canaan. During journey, god gave him the ten commandments, the corner stone of jewish. Kept in gold-covered wooden box, the ark of the covenant.
