Essay on Legacy of Rome and Christianity - 923 Words

Legacy of Rome and Christianity Christianity came into existence almost 2000 years ago. Christianity, like Judaism, rose from obscurity to become the dominant religion of Western culture. Christianity also became the dominant faith of Rome at the end of fourth century A.D. (Matthews 157.) Both Christianity and Rome influenced Europe in a number of ways. Christianity soon became the greater part of the empire. Between 284 and 476, Roman civilization went through two stages. One stage involved Diocletians reforms -- paganisms last pinnacle, and the second part, when the empire began to fall after Constantines reign -- the vibrant Christian age. (Matthews, 174) After this last stage, both secular and Christian writers†¦show more content†¦(Matthews, 234) The influence of Christianity in architecture can best be described in the context of the church -- which dominated art and architecture in the Middle Ages. (Matthews, 235) When Constantine controlled Rome, the basic form of the church was called a basilica. (Matthews 180) While basilicas varied, the basic shape consisted of a long hallway, with an apse, or curved wall at the eastern end. Two rows of parallel columns usually divided into a central area, or nave and two side aisles. (Matthews 180) Later, in the High Middle Ages, the Cathedral emerged. Two styles of cathedral were the Romanesque and Gothic. Of these types, the Romanesque was the first. The Romanesque received its name and style from ancient Roman buildings and churches of the Early Middle Ages -- the Church of Sainte-Marie-Madeleine in Và ©zelay, France s an excellent example. (Matthews, 236) The typical Romanesque church consisted of small windows and heavy walls and the floor of the building was in a cruciform shape to symbolize the cross. The Romanesque style also divided the nave into separate sections called bays. 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