1. Judaism and Early Christianity
The Judeo-Christian Spirit

2. The Judaic Tradition Judaism preceded the Christian faith
Great influence on Western civilization
Monotheistic religion
Old Testament--man’s relationship with God

3. History and the Israelites
Patriarchs
David (ca B.C.E.)
Solomon ( B.C.E.)Temple of Jerusalem
Babylonian exile ( B.C.E.)
Aramaic, the Devil
Return to Palestine, Temple rebuilt
Herod d. 4 B.C.E., Diaspora, persecution

4. The Hebrew Bible Yaweh Bible transmitted orally until 1,000 B.C.E.
Torah – instruction
Prophets – duty to God
Writings – Psalms, wisdom

5. Book of Job
Apocalypse-- coming of the Messiah: overthrow foreign rulers, restore glories of King David.

6. The Rise of Christianity
By 400, Christianity official religion of Roman Empire
Forgiveness of sins, everlasting life after death: “Sermon on the Mount”
Peter given the keys; first pope

7. Jesus of Nazareth Love one another, forsake material goods
Teacher: parables
From his death came the beginning of the new religious faith

8. The Growth of Christianity
Paul (d. 64?)
Roman army sacked Jerusalem, destroyed Second Temple. (70)
Gospels written after 70
Christianity separate from Judaism in 2nd century.
Eucharist: Christ’s last supper

9. Early Christianity Baptism: a new beginning
Constantine: baptism before death
New Testament written in Greek
Paul’s letters followed by four gospels
Early Christians buried in catacombs
Catacomb wall paintings depicted religious scenes

10. Christianity in the Late Roman Empire
Christianity’s equality before God was attractive to slaves and the poor
Art – blend of Christian figures and classical style: Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus (fig. 5.10)
Symbols – icons: sacred images

11. Constantine and Christianity
Constantine’s dream “In this sign you will conquer.”
Spread Christianity throughout the Roman Empire
By the 5th century, the Christian church was the most powerful institution in the world.

12. Christian Philosophy Pagan philosophies: Manicheanism and Neoplatonism
Hypatia: killed by Christian zealots
Library at Alexandria burned
Eventually classical beliefs were synthesized into the Church’s beliefs.
Patristic tradition: Four Fathers of Church

13. Augustine of Hippo Christian soul always at war with itself.
Original sin
Rome’s sacking in 410 was blamed on Christian’s not doing civic duties
Augustine asked Christians to obey the State

14. The Christian Empires:Rome and Byzantium
Grand new capital of Roman Empire: Constantinople in Turkey
Rome, sacked by barbarians went into decline and turmoil
Difference in the Christian Greek Church: Byzantine Orthodox and the Latin: Catholic.

15. St. Peter’s and the Pope
St. Peter’s was built over the saint’s tomb outside Rome
Basilica-style structure for early churches
Narthex, aisles, nave, transept and apse
Rome moved to Ravenna; 476, last Roman emperor abdicated to the Goths
Pope supreme authority of the Roman Church

16. Justinian and the Byzantine World
Byzantine Empire stable: Church under the rule of the emperor
Emperor Justinian, 6th century, reformed Roman law, fostered culture; co-ruled with wife Theodora
Commissioned the Hagia Sophia: Largest church in Christendom

17. Hagia Sophia
Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus: built it in 6 years—rebuilt after fire destroyed it (fig. 5.16)
Domed basilica: rectangular hall with a dome in the center. Use of pendentives in construction with a dome 180 feet in height
Intricate decoration, mosaics, windows, gold.

18. Ravenna: Showcase of the Christian Arts
Mosaic representations of Bible stories
Sant’Apollinaire Nuovo: Procession of Virgin Martyrs
Christ depicted as royalty to please royal patrons
Decline of naturalism with a move toward spiritual, symbolic representation

19. San Vitale of Ravenna San Vitale: truly Byzantine; central plan
Second story gallery for female worshippers
Mosaics of Justinian and Theodora (fig. 5.15)
Royal power and Church power

20. Christianity and the Arts
Struggle of early church against music and theater
Music, associated with paganism, banned from Christian worship
Vocal music: Chants: Gregorian chants (plainchant or plainsong)
Monophonic until the 12th century
Boethius

21. The Christians and Theater
Actors could not be baptized
Virtually disappeared from society until the 10th century
Iconoclasm: Icons removed from Byzantine churches and destroyed
Struggles between the Christian faith and creative arts