INT231Blog

Summary During Late Antiquity, key developments in Early Christian and Byzantine history, architecture, and art transformed society. The persecution of Christians under emperors like Diocletian eventually gave way to the rise of Christianity after Emperor Constantine's rule. Constantine's conversion and the Edict of Milan in 313 AD ended Christian persecution, and by 380 AD, Christianity became the state religion of the Roman Empire. Before its legalization, early Christian worship took place in private homes, known as domus ecclesiae , which were converted into house churches. These spaces served as gathering places for Christian communities and were later expanded into formal churches. Christians faced public persecution, including executions in arenas. The Catacombs of Rome, underground burial sites, were significant for early Christian worship and art, housing important burials and artworks. Constantine advanced Christianity by commissioning churches like Old Saint Peter...

Classical Greek civilization profoundly impacted Western Culture, including the development of democracy and significant contributions to philosophy, science, and the arts. Greece's mountainous geography and proximity to the sea led to the rise of independent city-states and architectural advancements. During the Golden Age (480-400 B.C.), Greek architecture flourished with iconic structures like the Parthenon and the development of the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian architectural orders. Interiors were adorned with mosaics, painted floors, and decorative ceilings, while furniture was crafted from leather and wood, focusing on elegance and functionality. Greek textiles were known for their emphasis on visual perfection, using materials such as wool and silk. The influence of Greek design, particularly in architecture and motifs like the Greek key, remains evident in modern applications today. The Second Bank of the United States in Philadelphia, PA Classical Roman civilization domina...

 This week, we learned about the ancient Egyptians and the interiors that they built for themselves. This period is significant because the elite of the time practiced the custom of entombing their dead, especially when rulers were laid to rest. As a result, some of the oldest surviving pieces of furniture, including wooden items, have been preserved, as they were buried and preserved with their owners. One example is the Great Hypostyle Hall, located in the Karnak temple complex within the Precinct of Amon-Re, one of Ancient Egypt's most visited monuments. "Hypostyle" refers to an architectural design featuring an ample space with a flat room supported by rows of columns. During the New Kingdom of Egypt (1570-1090 B.C.), furniture, particularly armchairs, significantly contributed to design. Commonly used woods include cedar, cypress, and ebony, with decorations of gold, silver, ivory, precious stones, and enamels. Furniture used in religious and state ceremonies was esp...

  The history of interiors begins with early shelters such as caves, which provided protection from natural hazards and are considered the most basic form of architecture. During the Stone Age, humans worked with materials like wood, hides, and reeds, though little has survived from these early periods. Ancient peoples likely valued beauty in humans and objects and infused their crafted items with aesthetic qualities. The Paleolithic caves at Lascaux, dating to 17,000 B.C., were not used as homes but as ritual spaces, featuring 1,500 engravings and 600 animal paintings. These depictions possibly held spiritual or ritual significance, as animals played important roles in their lives. The pigments used for these artworks were derived from natural materials, highlighting a deep connection between the people and their environment. The Neolithic period, which lasted from 9,000 to 2,000 B.C., is named for the widespread use of stone in construction and object-making. Notable structures f...