HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE II

(13AR1303)
Module 1

EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

Hudha Abdul Salam

Assistant Professor
Department of Architecture
TKMCE, Kollam
Early Christian Architecture: Evolution of Church form (Example; Old St. Peters Rome)
EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE

CHRISTIANITY

Christianity had its birth in Judaea , an eastern province of the

roman empire, spread and carried by St.Peter, St.Paul and other
missionaries to Rome, as the center of the World – Empire.
Early Christian architecture at Rome was influenced by, and was
the logical outcome of, existing Roman architecture, modified in
other parts of the empire according to the type already
recognized as suitable for the geographical situation of those
countries, such as Syria, Asia minor , north Africa, and Egypt
GEOLOGICAL
 Ruins of roman building

 Influenced the style – BOTH IN construction and decoration

Columns and other architectural features, as well as fine sculptures

and mosaics from older building, were incorporated into basilican
churches of the new faith.
HOUSE CHURCHS

The Dura-Europos house church, ca. 232, with

chapel area on right.
ROMAN TEMPLE
TWO BASIC CHURCH FORMS

LONGITUDINAL

CENTRALISED
CENTRALISED FORM
LOGITUDINAL FORM
EXAMPLES

Basilica church of S. Peters, Rome

S Paolo Fuori le Mura, Rome

S Stefano Rotondo, Rome

S Constanza, Rome
Old St Peters Rome
S Paolo Fuori le Mura, Rome
S Stefano Rotondo, Rome
S Constanza, Rome
S Agnese
S Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna