Early Christian Symbols & Beliefs
This symbol was used by Christians to secretly identify themselves during persecution.
What is the Fish (Ichthys)?
These underground burial tunnels contain some of the earliest surviving Christian artwork.
What are Catacombs?
As Rome declined, imperial portraits became less realistic and more of this.
What is stiff or rigid?
/cartoon like
These religious communities preserved books, learning, and artwork after Rome's collapse.
What are Monasteries?
This was the final emperor of the western half of the Roman empire
Romulus Augustulus
This symbol represented Jesus as a protector and caretaker of believers.
What is the Good Shepherd?
These decorated hand-written books often contained colorful illustrations and gold leaf.
What are Illuminated Manuscripts?
Christian artists often placed these around important religious figures to show holiness.
What are Halos?
Monks copied these three types of works:
Bible texts, Roman literature, and these records of the past.
This Germanic leader removed the last Western Roman emperor in 476 CE.
Who is Odoacer?
Who do Christians believe Jesus is?
The son of God
This Roman public building design became the model for many Christian churches.
What is a Basilica?
These shiny backgrounds became common in Christian art to emphasize heaven and divinity.
What are Gold Backgrounds?
This was used to embellish illuminated manuscripts
Gold, precious gems
Christian churches adapted Roman architecture, especially this large public building design.
What is a Basilica?
This apostle traveled throughout the Roman Empire spreading Christianity.
Who is Paul?
This emperor legalized Christianity through the Edict of Milan in 313 CE.
Who is Constantine?
The growing wealth gap, corruption, and frequent assassinations were signs of this problem within Rome.
What is political instability?
This Frankish king converted to Christianity around 496 CE and strengthened ties with the Church.
Who is Clovis?
This emperor divided the Roman Empire and ruled from 284–305 CE.
Who is Diocletian?
Why did Christianity spread through the Roman empire?
safe trade routes
This art form decorated church walls and ceilings using small pieces of colored stone or glass.
What are Mosaics?
These tribes that sacked the city of Rome
Goths and Vandals
angry germans
The art of the early Middle Ages blended Roman traditions, Christian symbolism, and these decorative styles.
What are Germanic decorative styles?
This is the head of the catholic church and became a new political power in the remnants of the Western Roman Empire
The pope