There are many similarities and differences between Roman and Early Christian Art. What particularly stood out to me was how much these two cultures had in common when it came to their architecture. Romans were genius when it can to engineering and we can see that in their building they created. Many early christian architectural styles and ideas were adopted straight from the Romans. Christian communities became organized geographically much like those of the Roman provincial governments. Christian styles and imagery derived straight from Roman visual traditions. Early christian art features the adoption of Roman art forms for christian purposes. In Early Christian architecture, the use of the roman basilica was the ideal design for churches. In Rome, the basilica Ulpia (pg 192) was a court of law, and other basilicas were used as imperial audience chambers , army drill halls and schools. When the Christians adopted their layout the basilicas purpose changed to a religious one. Maxentius created the Basilica Nova, also known as new basilica (pg 211) was the last important imperial government building erected in Rome. This basilica functioned as an administrative center. Much different from the use of Roman basilicas the Christians used the building differently. Old St. Peters church was a large new basilica marking where what Christians believed was the burial site of St. Peter. Christianity was booming and required a gathering place for the entire community to gather inside one building and worship. Christians were also in need for a place for activities, private prayer and burials. Pagan basilicas did just that for them. They were churches, and tombs which provided model for baptisteries and martyr’s shrines. Constantine ordered the construction of St. Peter’s church . There are two elements of architecture that can be related back to the Romans. The Early Christians formed basilicas based off of two Romans prototypes, which are rectangular basilicas and circular square structures. These are also made from two different types such as the longitudinal- plan and central- plan Churches. The longitudinal planned churches lead with a porch and are long and rectangular shaped. Central planned buildings were first used as tombs much like the Romans. Central planned churches has a more vertical axis from the center to it’s dome (pg 228). This dome was thought to have functioned as the symbolic vault of heaven. The thought of the dome having something to do with the heavens leads me back to the Romans and their construction of the Pantheon the circle square shape leads us to the center where there is a rotunda which is a large circular room the is covered by a large dome (pg 198). We can see the this massive domed room has different lines of square on it. Its thought that these row have to do with the seven planets that are known at this time. But the dome itself also was thought the have to do with the heavens as well. We can see that the Romans as well as the Early Christians have many things in common but for sure we know the the use of the basilicas is one that’s near the same. the basilicas purpose is different in both cultures but beliefs that had in terms of their building such as the dome is nearly identical. You can really see how style is passed from one culture to another.
Nov9
thoresor 
It is true that the early christians built huge churches and temples for believers to worship at. The inside of the churches would be decorated with an array of statues that portrayed various saints and the virgin Mary. In addition that there where the stain glass windows that showed biblical scenes such as the Nativity and the death of Jesus on the cross. The places where built in such a way the cross could be seen in the blueprints because some of the passages and corridors intersected each other. In addition to that paintings where on the ceiling that displayed God’s interaction with man and sometimes scenes from John’s revelation where shown such as the second coming.
The style of the longitudinal plan churches reminds me of the Greek temple in some ways; though with a big Roman influence. Statues or paintings of Christ and Old and New Testament stories were given important, prominent locations something like the old cult statues. Unlike the Greeks the Christians may have wanted to move their worship inside either in remembrance of the times they were persecuted and had to hide or because Christianity spread north, out of the sunny Mediterranean region and people needed shelter from the rain. The more Roman central plan could be and was adapted for many purposes from churches to sports arenas- it’s just too good of a plan of the space to waste.
You see Roman Art and Greek Art have influenced naturalism on the sculptures from Early Christian Art. We also see similar compositions and influences on the tombs and churches, the ideal design and styles were directly adopted from the Roman Art style.