Constantinople Thesis
Alex Hunt History 201
Thesis/ Introduction December 8, 2014
Byzantine Architecture “Early Byzantine architecture was built as a continuation of Roman architecture, Stylistic drift, technological advancement, and political and territorial changes meant that a distinct style gradually resulted in the Greek cross plan in church architecture” (Fletcher). The Byzantine Empire’s architecture were functional works of art that varied from the walls that fortified the city of Constantinople, to center of the city, the palace, to the center of religion, Hagia Sophia. Fletcher explained that the architecture was a continuation of Roman Architecture, but it was much more, it was an advancement of the Roman’s architecture in function, complexity, and beauty. The Hagia Sophia is a perfect example of how the Byzantine Architecture was an advancement of function, complexity, and beauty. The Hagia Sophia assembled in 532 A.D. and finished in 537 A.D, it was an Eastern Orthodox cathedral. The main purpose of it was the dedication to the Wisdom of God, but the church had a wide variety of functions. The church was a safe keep to a large collection of religious artifacts that were displayed to the constituents of the church, but also hidden from the public eye. The church had the perfect atmosphere to hold ceremonies while at the same time held refugees from persecution. The purpose of the church changed multiple times throughout its lifetime. In 1204 it was a Roman Catholic cathedral. Then in 1261 it was an Eastern Orthodox cathedral, but eventually became a mosque for Muslim worship from 1453 to 1931. In 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks, this meant an end to Christian belief within the walls of the church. The bells, altar, and other religious artifacts were removed, while all the mosaics that depicted Jesus, Mother Mary, and other symbolic figures were plastered over. “Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the
Thesis/ Introduction December 8, 2014
Byzantine Architecture “Early Byzantine architecture was built as a continuation of Roman architecture, Stylistic drift, technological advancement, and political and territorial changes meant that a distinct style gradually resulted in the Greek cross plan in church architecture” (Fletcher). The Byzantine Empire’s architecture were functional works of art that varied from the walls that fortified the city of Constantinople, to center of the city, the palace, to the center of religion, Hagia Sophia. Fletcher explained that the architecture was a continuation of Roman Architecture, but it was much more, it was an advancement of the Roman’s architecture in function, complexity, and beauty. The Hagia Sophia is a perfect example of how the Byzantine Architecture was an advancement of function, complexity, and beauty. The Hagia Sophia assembled in 532 A.D. and finished in 537 A.D, it was an Eastern Orthodox cathedral. The main purpose of it was the dedication to the Wisdom of God, but the church had a wide variety of functions. The church was a safe keep to a large collection of religious artifacts that were displayed to the constituents of the church, but also hidden from the public eye. The church had the perfect atmosphere to hold ceremonies while at the same time held refugees from persecution. The purpose of the church changed multiple times throughout its lifetime. In 1204 it was a Roman Catholic cathedral. Then in 1261 it was an Eastern Orthodox cathedral, but eventually became a mosque for Muslim worship from 1453 to 1931. In 1453, Constantinople was conquered by the Ottoman Turks, this meant an end to Christian belief within the walls of the church. The bells, altar, and other religious artifacts were removed, while all the mosaics that depicted Jesus, Mother Mary, and other symbolic figures were plastered over. “Famous in particular for its massive dome, it is considered the