Byzantine Art: The Transfiguration of Christ Mosaic in Saint Catherine's Monastery

The Roman Empire influenced the Byzantine Empire’s culture, mainly through the religion of Christianity. Christianity first appeared in the Roman Empire, with the birth, teachings, and supposed resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the beginning years of it’s arrival, Christianity was not tolerated and Christians were mainly, and most often brutally prosecuted. However, with Constantine’s Edict of Milan, Christianity was officially tolerated, and under Theodosius, it became the official religion of the Roman Empire. The Byzantine Empire inherited this relatively new religion, continuing to follow the beliefs and traditions of the church, as well as spreading the word of Jesus Christ and the message of god. Churches sprung up in the empire, such as the mighty Hagia Sophia. Located in Constantinople and built by Justinian, this church especially exemplified

Early Christian and Byzantine art started after Jesusí death in the first century ranging and ending to the fourth century AD. The art produced during this period was secretive because Christianity was not a formal religion but as a cult; the Romans and rest of Europe persecuted Christians so the artist disguised their work with symbols and hints of Christian aspects. Christianity was the first cult to not involve rituals of sacrifice of animals and refused to worship an Emperor causing the Roman Empire to make Christianity illegal. Byzantine art excelled in the Justinian period in the east during 520-540 AD. The art was produced in Ravenna, Byzantine, Venice, Sicily, Greece, and Russia. The

A formal analysis, contextualizing, and compare and contrast of the Egyptian sculpture of Isis nurturing Horus and the Byzantine icon, The Virgin of Vladimir

Shortly after Rome made the transition from pagan practices to embracing Christianity as their formal faith, Christ's depiction in art went through various restorations. Some of the most widely popular illustrations were that of Christ sacrificed on the cross to his ultimate ascension into the Kingdom of Heaven after overcoming death. Since the image portrays Christ in luxurious attire resembling the Roman toga, the viewer can perceive that the mosaic was meant to present Christ in an imperialistic fashion. This is perhaps directed in part to the Byzantine emperors preferring to worship Christ in a way traditional and symbolic of their historical and early customs rather than how he really looked.

Founder of Constantinople, Constantine claimed the great Byzantine Empire and in turn inherited the new Holy Roman Empire. With the Edict of Milan in 313, Constantine proclaimed religious tolerance of Christians throughout the empire and soon the religion spread. Constantine then transformed the city of Byzantium into the new capital of the Roman Empire, which then was known and proclaimed as Constantinople. The new capital would profit from its location being closer to the east frontier, having then the advantage of better trading, and a militarily sound location being protected on three sides by water.

The Justinian and Attendants is a mosaic which was created by an unknown artist in the Byzantine period dating back to 547 CE. The work measures 8' 8" X 12' and is located in Ravenna, Italy inside the Church of San Vitale. This landscape format mosaic depicts an outdoor scene with eleven figures that are at least partially visible, if not entirely visible, within the scene. The figures are all very different from the stocky large-headed figures in the art of the 4th and 5th centuries. These figures are all very tall, however; they all have eye-levels that are more or less precisely the same. Their bodies are slim, faces are all fairly similar and they all have petite feet. The figure in the middle wears a crown and appears to be holding a basket, while the figure directly to the right is holding a cross in his right hand, the one to his right is cradling

With the adoption of Christianity as the official religion, art was able, so to speak, to come above ground in the old pagan city of Rome, and painting, instead of being restricted to the decoration of the walls of the Catacombs or of small chambers and chapels, came into use on a large scale in the new churches that were at once set up. At the same time patronage moved from the hands of the poorer classes to the richer, and artists of outstanding quality came to be employed as well as those of obscurer character, who would work for small fees (www.religion-online.org). To wall painting was added the more luxurious art of mosaic; numerous sculptures were done, and minor objects, often in expensive materials, were in addition produced in the service of the Church, so that art production became at the same time both more extensive and more luxurious (www.religion-online.org ).

In February 313 AD, the Roman emperors Constantine I and Licinius issued the Edict of Milan. The edict proclaimed that people were free to practice any religion of their choosing within the Roman empire. Additionally, the edict had a provision specifically for Christians- they were to get back any and all property that was confiscated from them, including church property.

In some ways, this might have strengthened and reinforced Christian faith because in the period between 68 CE and 313 CE (the year in which Emperor Constantine signed toleration of Christianity into law via the Edict of Milan), Christians had to be more careful in their practices; if an individual felt the desire to be a Christian, that individual had to be extremely committed to the faith and fully aware of the risks associated with it. For a number of years, public demonstrations and declarations of Christian faith continued to be an offense punishable by death in Rome. In addition, the reputation of Christians had been badly damaged by Emperor Nero in the aforementioned allegations of arson by Christians as the cause of the devastating

Constantine was the first emperor of Rome to openly support Christianity (244). In 313 AD, he issued the Edict of Milan, which legalized the new religion (245). This edict was the beginning of a central organized church, making him the founder of the Orthodox Church of which he also named himself head. Constantine paid for the training of priests and the building of churches and other Christian practices (245). Additionally, Constantine provided special tax breaks for Christians. Under Constantine, Christianity began to spread at an increased speed

On the other hand, The Emperor Justinian and Attendants, is a colorful and apse mosaic made in 547 A.D. in a Byzantine Style. The men are in a row, all being the same height with one being either

The first centuries were a period of turmoil as well as triumph for many empires, countries, rulers, and religions. Rome experienced its first Christian emperor, Constantine, who transferred the capital of the Roman Empire from the west to the east. “Christianity replaced the gods of antiquity as the official religion of the culturally and religiously diverse state in the late 300s” (Brooks). This religious shift resulted in a change in the subjects of artwork that was created across the empire. Furthermore, Christian basilicas and churches were being built and decorated with a variety of Christian motifs which sought to transport the viewer into a heavenly realm.

terms. Byzantine visual art began with (decorations made of many colored pieces of glass, stone, etc.) decorating the walls and domes

Artists created their own unique style in Greek culture and with the creation of the Roman Empire, Greek artwork had been spread throughout the region. When the empire eventually split and faded from existence, Greek artwork had left its mark on the remaining civilizations. Because Byzantium had arisen from the ashes of the Roman Empire, Byzantine artwork incorporated aspects of Greek art within their own artwork. The purpose of this investigation is to compare and contrast art in ancient Greece and Byzantium. Recognizing the similarities and differences between two related cultures is vital in understanding the evolution of art from one culture to another. Within this investigation designs/patterns and

Constantine’s continuous support for Christianity is one of the reasons that it is still a major religion today. I believe that Constantine was a great ruler because of his dedication to the unity of Christianity. Regardless of the different schisms in the religion, Constantine was determined to make Christianity unified. The Edict of Milan shows that Constantine had respect for other religions and allowed them, but preferred Christianity. It also shows that, even