Early Christian and Byzantine Art: Churches, Mosaics
Early Christian and Byzantine Art
Introduction: Principles of Christianity
The religion founded by Jesus Christ, and extended by his followers, was based on a set of principles that were openly and fundamentally opposed to the religion and socio-political structure of the Roman world. These principles are:
- Monotheism or belief in one God. This principle was totally opposed to the Roman religion, not only because it was polytheistic, but because the exclusivity of worship to God was against the deification
Gratian’s Decretum: Sources and Influence
This field of inquiry is hampered by ignorance of the compiler’s identity and the existence of manuscripts with abbreviated or variant versions of the text, not represented by Winroth’s two recensions. One of these is the manuscript St. Gall, Stiftsbibliothek, 673 (=Sg), which some have argued contains the earliest known version (borrador) of the Decretum.[12] However, other scholars have argued that it contains an abbreviation of the first recension, expanded with texts taken from the second recension.
Read MoreThe Beatitudes: A Path to Supreme Happiness
The Eight Beatitudes
- Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
- Blessed are they who mourn, for they shall be comforted.
- Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth.
- Blessed are they who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be satisfied.
- Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy.
- Blessed are the pure of heart, for they shall see God.
- Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called children of God.
- Blessed are they who are persecuted for
Augustine’s City of God: History, Theology, and Philosophy
History and City of God
In City of God, Augustine writes for 15 years after the sack of Rome by Alaric (410), to defend Christianity against the charge of causing the fall of Rome. This work presents history from the Christian viewpoint, focusing on salvation history through God. The history is divided into three times: past (before Christ), present (in Christ), and future (from Christ until the final union with the kingdom of God).
The Greeks had a cyclic concept of history, eternal, unlike the Christian
Read MoreUnderstanding Romanesque Architecture: Key Features & Styles
Romanesque Architecture: An Overview
The Romanesque style developed from the ninth century until the 11th century, and in some countries, until the 12th century. This style was often implemented in countries with limited resources and populations, resulting in smaller churches constructed from modest materials. However, pilgrimage churches are an exception, being larger and built with higher-quality materials.
Key Architectural Features
- Plan: Churches typically follow a Latin cross plan.
- Naves: Usually
The Intellectualism of Morality: Reason and Ethical Action
The Moral Intellectualism:
The idea of moral intellectualism, stemming from the Socratic notion that if one knows the good, one must behave well, posits that knowledge is the foundation of ethical action. Socrates believed that immediate moral action arises from a correct understanding of what one should do.
However, the Sophists disagreed, challenging the arguments for good morals, virtue, and justice presented in Plato’s dialogues. Socrates aimed to expose the contradictions and ignorance of young
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