Extra Credit - Late Antiquity

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
  1. Compare the basilica of Old St. Peter's with the reconstruction of the Basilica Nova. What similarities and what differences do you see in the plans, elevations, and building materials used? How did the purposes of the varying parts of the two buildings differ? How was the more "spiritual" purpose of the Christian building reflected in the structure?
  2. Select three Christian images representing Old Testament narratives, which illustrate Saint Augustine's statement that "the New Testament is hidden in the Old; the Old is clarified by the New.” Explain how each Old Testament narrative gets a new meaning in these images.
  3. Compare the paintings from the synagogue at Dura Europos with the Roman Dionysiac frieze from Boscoreale. How are they similar? How are they different in style?.
  4. Compare the illumination from the Vatican Virgil with the Roman Dionysiac frieze from Boscoreale and the scene from the Rossano Gospels. How did all three handle perspective, illusionism, modeling with light and shade and naturalism?
  5. Describe the architectural and decorative elements of a typical Christian basilica. How is similar and in what ways is it different than a Roman basilica. Bring specific examples to your arguments.
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