Reference no: EM133410196

During the early years of Christianity (1st century AD), Judaism was legalized through compromise with the Roman state for more than two centuries. Around AD 98, Nerva decreed that Christians should not pay annual Jewish taxes, recognizing them as a separate religion.

This paved the way for the persecution of Christians for disobeying the emperor, and for their refusal to worship the gods of the state. Due to their refusal to honor the Roman temple, which many believed brought bad luck to the community, local pagans pressured the imperial government to take action against the Romans. their Christian neighbors.

Art:

Early Christian art Early Christian, or early Christian, art was produced by followers of Christianity or under the aegis of Christianity since the earliest times of Christianity until, depending on the definition used, from 260 to 525.

Before the year 100, Christians may have been forced to create permanent works of art due to their position as a persecuted group. Since Christianity was largely the religion of the lower classes at this time, the lack of surviving artwork may reflect a lack of patronage funding or a small number of adherents. Christians may have made or purchased artwork with pagan symbolism, but gave it a Christian meaning.

Early Christian art used not only Roman forms but also Roman styles. Late Classical Art includes the proportional representation of the human body and impressionist spatial representation. The Late Classical style visible in early Christian frescoes, such as those in the Catacombs in Rome, includes most of the earliest examples of Christian art.

Early Christian art is often divided by scholars into two periods:

before and after the Edict of Milan of 313 legalizing Christianity in the Roman Empire.

In a move of strategic syncretism, early Christians adapted Roman motifs and gave new meanings to what used to be pagan symbols. The early Christians also developed their own iconography. During the persecution of Christians under the Roman Empire, Christian art was necessarily and deliberately stealthy and ambiguous, using images shared with pagan culture but with special significance. for Christians.

After their persecution ended in the fourth century, the Christians began to build larger and more elaborate buildings than the house churches where they used to worship.

Peter's and After their persecution ended in the fourth century, the Christians began to build larger and more elaborate buildings than the house churches where they used to worship.

What emerged, however, was an architectural style distinct from classical pagan forms.

Architectural formulas for temples were deemed inappropriate.

Architectural formulas for temples were deemed inappropriate. The temple, which houses cult figures and treasures, serves as the setting.

The mature Byzantine style, which developed through the stylization and standardization of late classical forms of early Christian art, was based on the dynamics of flat lines and shades of color rather than form.

Individual features have been removed for a standard face shape, figures are flattened and folds are reduced to swirl patterns.

The overall effect is one of those non-physical phenomena, the three-dimensional representation of an individual figure being replaced by a spiritual presence whose strength depends on the vitality of the lines and brilliance of color.

This variety has challenged my understanding of what Christianity is, as it has shown me that there is no singular portrayal or definition of the faith.