Exam 2 Flashcards
Positive and negative social influences of the Roman Empire on the spread of Christianity—
Koine+(hellenistic greek dialect that Alexander the Great spread like crazy) led to the spread of christiantiy, the language the bible was written in.
Pietas- The christians now had a new duty to God above all else. This was traitorous to their relationship with Rome, family, and the emperor. Their pietas were replaced with new moral and ethical responsibilities.
Catacombs + and - First Roman Jews and christians are buried here. Separate from other graves where they were allowed to use their christian symbols freely
Monotheism+ This was a growing trend because Romans were pragmatic about gods and one god was the most convenient and beneficial god to have.
Villa of Dura-Europos and Roman religious tolerance:
Jewish synagogue, Christian church, and polytheistic place of worship all built in close range. Shows tolerance of the Romans to different religions within their empire.
4 Basic motifs of the Bible and its influence on Western Civilization
Biblical monotheism
Covenant relationship between God and His chosen people
Ethical worldview from idea that “humans are created in God’s likeness and image” how they should act and why
Model, types, and symbols of instruction and illumination(especially sermon on the mount)
Sermon on the Mount—Christ’s ethical standard vs. Rome’s legislative government
Humility and meekness
Rewards here vs in the afterlife
Priorities, transcend law, becoming instead of just living, peace
Standard of perfection(God vs pursuit of excellence in arts, efficiency, etc.)
Going the extra mile and disposing of sin and inviting in righteousness
Legislated law and punishment is different from God’s commandments and his knowledge of your thoughts and actions and the consequences that come with them.
Important metaphors of Sermon on the Mount
Gate, salt, house on rock and sand, light, wolves and sheep, fruit of the tree, pearls before swine, eyes are the lamps of the body (Constantines’ giant eyes in statues)
Symbolism in Early Roman Christian Art—
Good Shepherd: Christ is our shepherd, purity, love, life devoted, etc.
Christ as Orpheus: is a Greek god and son of god, lives on earth, people flock to him because of his flute, resurrects from the underworld trying to save wife. Similarities to Christ
Jonah and the Whale: Lazareth raised from the dead depicted and then Jonah coming out of the whale alive. Shows it is a symbol of transcending death, God’s mercy, love, and plan.
Chi Rho Monogram: chi(X) ro(R) first two letters of Christ’s name in Greek. Symbolizes Christ and that you are his follower. Letter written over each other to look like a six spindled flower
ICHTHUS: Acronym for first letter of every word in “ Jesus Christ, son of God, and Savior” also means fish in Greek koine. Fish in art wrapped around a cross-like anchor. Christ is our anchor through his sacrifice and love.
“The Good Samaritan: A Type and Shadow of the Plan of Salvation,”
“The man who was going down is Adam.
the fact that the Samaritan promises he will return represents the Savior’s second coming.” –Jack Welch
Western Latin Cross Basilica layout.
Label—
Apse: rounded front and center, location of the alter, draws attention
Transept: perpendicular to nave between apse and nave
Nave: center walkway toward apse draws attention to apse
Aisle: behind arches parallel to nave
Narthex: foyer area between world and sacred space
Triforium: space above arches dow sides of nave
Clerestory: windows above triforium where light comes in clere means light
Importance of Ravenna:
When Rome split the Western empire moved their capital to a city in northern Italy called Ravenna
Small city
On trade route
One of the most prosperous cities in the west in the 5th and 6th centuries
Contains some of the best preserved examples of Byzantine art.
Decline and division of Rome into Eastern and Western Rome:
One emperor moved capital to Ravenna with half of Rome
Rome collapses in E when Roman bloodline of emperors ends
In the East Justinian rules as emperor after Constantine and he reunites E and W Rome for 25 years then dies.
West Rome early Roman Christian style, Arian
East Rome Byzantine style, Orthodox
St. Catherine’s Monastery:
the oldest known repository of Greek icons.IT is a remote, desert location by Sinai so the crusades did not destroy the icons.
Icons:
an image the provides a window into the world of the sacred. A painting tha tpermits a glimpse into the eternities, used for worship, but nopt worship. Compare to our hymns we use.
Influence of Byzantine Culture in Russia:
architecture greek cross and onion domes and in the West: architecture greek cross and onion domes common in Russian orthodox church.
Islam definitions to know:
Muslim: a believer in Islam
Origination history:vMuhammad received revelation from angel Gabriel
Muhammad: First prophet received revelations for the first church born in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. Did not like pagan cruel beliefs and practices.
Allah:the one true God in Arabic
5 Basic pillars of Islam:
Recitation “there is one God and His messenger is Muhammad”
Pray 5x a day facing Mecca, Friday prayer meetings and sermon
Alms for the poor
Fast during holy month of Ramadan sunrise to sunset
Make pilgrimage to Mecca(the Haj) at least once in their lifetime
Koran—meaning, arabic, surah, vs old testament
Essence and Meaning: to guide and admonish not tell a story, revelations from the angel Gabriel tell the reader what to gain from each story or explanation. Very direct.
Arabic:language of allah. All religiously used korans have arabic written even by translated language, only the true text in arabic.
Surah: chapters of the koran organized by length
differences and similarities with Old Testament: differences: written in Allah’s POV, less dialogue,switches between 1st and third person, directly states Allah’s plan, includes Muhhamad as a prophet, disincluded prophets that focus on the divinity of the Savior Similarities prophets included: Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jonah, Joseph, and Jesus
2 Most holy sites of Islam
1st Mecca(pilgrimage destination)and 2nd Dome of the rock(bedrock below dome is supposedly where Abraham sacrificed Ishmael)
How does the focus of Early Christian art change from Greco-Roman art?
Christianity began in the Jewish community, but it didn’t stay there. As the first century CE progressed, Christianity attracted converts from all over the Greco-Roman world. These new Christians brought their own ideas, traditions, and practices along with them and adapted them to their adopted faith. This is true of art, too. Christians who had once been pagans of the Roman Empire didn’t give up their artistic heritage when they became believers in Jesus. In fact, they made good use of Roman artistic forms and motifs, as well as Roman architecture, to express and deepen their new faith. In this lesson, we’ll see how the world of Roman art influenced the developing art of the early Christians.
• Bible o 1st canon was in 90 AD o Written in Koine o Monotheism - Covenant Relationship with chosen people o Ethics - "Created in the image of God" o Models and types - symbols
The good samaritan allegory or reality
Early Christian Church Theologians who preached this similar interpretation: Origen, Irenaeus, Clement, Chrysostom, Ambrose, Augustine, Isidore, Eligius
Allegorical interpretation the dominant one even up to Martin Luther (Aug. 22, 1529), who preached a sermon on it.
Rise of humanism, secularism of Enlightenment and Calvin’s strong anti-allegorical stance led scholars to see text as a moral injunction to be kind to all people.
Tips that this is more allegorical than historical
rarely in ancient world did people travel alone. Too dangerous
innkeeper’s willingness to incur large personal expenses for a man unknown.
What are the social and religious factors that led to the spreading of Christianity?
- There was peace in the Roman Empire
• Good system of safe roads made travel easy
• Common language in the empire: Koine
• Christianity was first preached in a network of Jewish centers
• Growing interest of pagans in monotheism
• Strong Christian emphasis on salvation and freedom from sin
• Christian custom of offering mutual aid and charity for its members
• Relative freedom from class distinctions
From the “Sermon on the Mount” excerpt, describe Christ’s ideal society.
- No hypocrisy. Instead of showing outward appearances, focus more inward. Don’t do things for praise of men.
- Humility and meekness instead of pride and brutality of Roman culture
- Rewards will come in next life whereas Romans cared about glory and wealth right now
- Go the extra mile
- Being an example
- Straw in the eye of your brother, and not look at the log in your own eye
- Knock and it will be opened to you
- Father will give us a fish. We are his children and he will give us what we need.
What is the moral conduct expected and what is the general spirit that is advocated?
- Life of repentance
- Abandonment of earthly concerns
- Love of God and neighbor
- Compassion for the poor, downcast, and marginalized
How does the focus of Byzantine art change from Early Roman Christian art? Understand the differences. Look at subject matter and use of symbolism.
• Early Roman Christian Style o Arian - Roman o Christ's life/ministery on earth o 3D Realism - Figures o 3D Backgrounds o Unadorned toga robes o Individuals - Candid, Direct • Byzantine Style (becomes Greek orthodox) o Christ - Heavenly Immortality o 2D flattened o 2D backgrounds, golden, heavens o Ornate, Eastern, Byzantine Textiles o Figures - cookie cutter, impersonal, aloof
What were some of Charlemagne’s accomplishments during the Carolingian Renaissance?
• Became emperor • Military campaigns against Islam o Guardians of Christian shrines in Palestine • Stabilized the currency system • Opened up institution o Literacy of people improved
One of the major themes of the Middle Ages is the “Church-Militant.” Where do you see this combination of church and state?
The war of Charlemagne against Islam. In the book, it says specifically that he fought against Muslims. Charlemagne wanted to defend Christian beliefs.
Closely observe Thomas Aquinas as an example of Scholasticism.
• He was interested in and made a lifetime study of a basic problem:
o How does one harmonize those things that are part of human learning (reason) with those supernatural truths revealed by God in the Bible and through the teaching of the church (revelation)?
summa thealogia life’s work
Understand how Scholasticism is an ordering principle of the Gothic Age. Make sure to know the 5 parts of Scholasticism. (See Handout on Scholasticism)
1) Reconciliation of Contradiction: Peter Abelard and his work Sic et non (Yes and no).
2) Division and Subdivision: Thomas Aquinas and his organization of Summa Theologiae
3) Totality: Thomas Aquinas and his life work–Summa Thelogiae
4) Light: understanding and illumination–see light handout
5) Virgin Mary: She becomes a symbol of wisdom and the university. During the Middle Ages she is often depicted holding the Christ child (the source of all wisdom and understanding) on her lap. Thus she is known as “the seat of wisdom.”
Compare the style of Gothic architecture with Romanesque architecture by examining the features of both styles. What is the purpose behind the changes?
o Lighter walls instead of heavier walls of Romanesque era
o Pointed arches- pointed towards heavens
o Strong verticals
• Gothic
o Pointed Arch
Much taller and changed weight distribution
o Flying Buttresses
Attached in strategic points to pointed arch to support upper portion
o Larger Windows
o Vertical
o Ribbed Vaults
Look at the symbolism found in the Gothic cathedrals and its symbolic and functional role in Medieval towns.
• Center of economics, trade, and commerce - cost so much to build it and need to employ many people. Also, there are trade fairs and markets. Major economic standpoint. • Unity - Everybody can come and congregate. Equality. • Religious Activities o Mass o Baptisms o Weddings o Funerals • Places of Scholasticism o Learning o Universities • Political Activities • Everything centered around cathedral
Explain the symbolic figures in Canto I of Dante’s Divine Comedy.
The dark woods symbolize life here on earth and how sin usually takes over
The true path represents the path leading to God.
The hill with light on top represents Heaven where God dwells
The 3 beasts represent opposition that keep us from getting where we want to go
Virgil could represent priests, prophets, or the word of God
Dante represents all of mankind.
Explain the symbolism of Satan as a foil to God.
Satan takes any person that has ever sinned and drags them down to hell. Satan opposes any thing that is good and delights when the people sin. In the book, Satan is in the center of hell. He could represent the source of all the evil and suffering that was going on. He constantly preys on people to sin and not return to God.
Notice the major developments in Gothic sacred music and the three different types of secular music.
- Guido di Arezzo had worked out a system of musical notation that provided basis for development of musical notation used today
- Polyphony was created
- Development of organum
- Development of counterpoint
- Development of motet
- The knightly classes composed and performed secular music such as the troubadours and trouveres
- The German Minnesingers used traditional church modes and melodies to create secular and sacred songs
- The school of Notre Dame in Paris was center of systematic musical study. Leonin’s Magnus Liber Organi is a book that was an important source of knowledge of music.
Scholasticism in the Gothic Age beginnings
Universities are founded as people gather in cities and urban centers increase.
Scholasticism is rooted in authority.
Scholasticism: Fields of study established under Charlemagne and continued through scholasticism:
Trivium and Quadrivium.
Trivium (humanities) grammar, rhetoric, logic.
Quadrivium (Mathematical) arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music.
Beautiful lord sculpture Christ is in the act of blessing. Much more natural and active detail of form.
