Early Christian and

Byzantine Architecture
Early Christian
The term ‘Early Christian’ refers
to the preserved works of the
first five centuries CE. For the
first THREE centuries after
Christ’s death, Roman
authorities banned Christianity
and often persecuted
Christians. During this period,
Christians concealed their
religious practices by digging
tunnels outside of Rome.
Known as catacombs, these
tunnels were underground
passageways where early
Christians could worship and
bury their dead. The catacombs
extended up to 90 miles and as
deep as five levels.
Constantine the Great
Old St. Peter’s
Basilica
Rome
St Apollinare, Classe
Basilica of Constantine
Germany
Santa Sabina, Rome
Early Christian
BASILICA-PLAN CHURCH (West)
See Santa Sabina, p.170.
Narthex
Side Aisles
Clerestory
Nave
Apse
Triforium
Early Christian
CENTRAL-PLAN CHURCH (East)
See Hagia Sophia, p.174.
Narthex
Side Aisles
Naos
Apse
Exedrae
St. Fosca, Torcello, Italy
Justinian I
Hagia Sophia
Anthemius of Tralles
Isodorus of Miletus
Interior of Hagia Sophia
Byzantine Art
Sulaymaniye Mosque, Istanbul
Sinan
Mosque of Selim II
St. Mark’s Cathedral,
Venice

Baldassarre Longhena
Dosseret Block
= deep abacus
Cathedral of St Demetrius,
Vladimir
 Ivan the Terrible

St. Basil’s Cathedral,

Moscow
Barma & Posnik