Catacombs
As you already know in life, and history there's always a beginning to something extraordinary, in this case the catacombs. The catacombs is Christianity's earliest form of art. It is the unique paintings and symbols that exist upon the walls and ceilings of an underground cemetery, consisting of narrow passageways (also known as the catacombs)that is the art itself. As they have been used throughout the 1st, 2nd and 3rd century (0 - 313) some individuals thought it was a martyrs burial cemetery, however the amount of burials within the catacombs cannot have all been martyrs (approximately 6,000,000 or more burials). Many believe that the catacombs was a private area for Christian, but this statement is false as some Jewish and Pagans remains can be found in the catacombs as well.
The final resting place of an individual is dependent on whether the family was wealthy, or owns any portion of land. If you were born into a wealthy family, your final resting place would be within the walls of Rome. Compared to a family with no money or owning any land had to bury their loved ones on their land, or either in the catacombs. This was because only wealthy families could afford to bury their loved ones within the walls of Rome above ground, unlike more poorer families who had to result to the burial being on their land or the catacombs. The catacombs was the last resort for families that were not wealthy and did not own any land, and the catacombs became common amongst poor families. They also had the choice of painting a image above the burial place of the individual, which was the relation between the catacombs and the earliest form of Christian art.
Features of the Catacombs
As you already know not everything stays the same as time goes on, and this includes artist and artworks throughout history, in particular images of Jesus. For example if the way individuals lived in the beginning of Earth was the same as today we wouldn't have developed into the world today. As everything has unique main features people use to differ the variety of art in the catacombs from another time period such as Byzantine. In the Earlier centuries of Christianity was the worst years of the religion, Christians were blamed for many rebellious acts against the Roman Empire. They were punished severely for crimes they did not commit such as : persecution, exile, sentenced to death and many other extreme punishments.
Although this is considered wrong in our society today the Christians in that time period (0 - 313) did not possess an equal amount of authority, compared to the roman soldiers. These accusations against the Christian religion were purely based on the fact the roman Empire thought the religion was bizarre and suspicious. Since it was not permitted to confess or profess their faith openly, they turned to symbols to help them sustain their true beliefs as a Christian. The main symbols that are consistent throughout the catacombs such as The Good Shepherd, Dove, The monogram of Christ, Fish.
History of the Catacombs
Everyone has their own opinion just as every religion and culture has their own beliefs and traditions, but neither of their traditions or beliefs are right nor wrong. This is a similar case between the Roman and the christian individuals because, the Romans believed in cremating an individual after death and placing their remains within an urn. However Christians objected to follow through with the same process as they believe in bodily resurrection and continued to bury their loved ones instead. As the Christians were refusing to cremate individuals the Romans considered it as bizarre and suspicious, as they believed their way of death was the right method to use. This led to the banning and of professing of religion in the public, and also led to the complications and misunderstanding between the Christian and Roman individuals.
The catacombs is significant in both history's of the Jewish and Christian religion, as they feature unique, important events and portraits associated with their traditions. The Jewish catacombs can be traced all the way back to the first century, however the Christian catacombs didn't begin until the second century. Although it was illegal to profess oneself religion in public the catacombs became popular throughout all of Rome amongst all religions. The catacombs were the perfect place for an individual to perform religious practices.
The impact on the portrayal of Jesus
The Christian community were going through a lot during this time period. They couldn't spread the word of the Christian faith, beliefs and religious practices, as the punishment for breaking the law was persecution. This put a large amount of pressure on the Church as they did not have any authority to legalize the law against Christianity. Since they were in need of help and the religion was somewhat fairly new to some Christian individuals, Jesus was portrayed as a young leader. He was seen as a young leader who would come and save the Christian community from their ending horror of fear.
The final resting place of an individual is dependent on whether the family was wealthy, or owns any portion of land. If you were born into a wealthy family, your final resting place would be within the walls of Rome. Compared to a family with no money or owning any land had to bury their loved ones on their land, or either in the catacombs. This was because only wealthy families could afford to bury their loved ones within the walls of Rome above ground, unlike more poorer families who had to result to the burial being on their land or the catacombs. The catacombs was the last resort for families that were not wealthy and did not own any land, and the catacombs became common amongst poor families. They also had the choice of painting a image above the burial place of the individual, which was the relation between the catacombs and the earliest form of Christian art.
Features of the Catacombs
As you already know not everything stays the same as time goes on, and this includes artist and artworks throughout history, in particular images of Jesus. For example if the way individuals lived in the beginning of Earth was the same as today we wouldn't have developed into the world today. As everything has unique main features people use to differ the variety of art in the catacombs from another time period such as Byzantine. In the Earlier centuries of Christianity was the worst years of the religion, Christians were blamed for many rebellious acts against the Roman Empire. They were punished severely for crimes they did not commit such as : persecution, exile, sentenced to death and many other extreme punishments.
Although this is considered wrong in our society today the Christians in that time period (0 - 313) did not possess an equal amount of authority, compared to the roman soldiers. These accusations against the Christian religion were purely based on the fact the roman Empire thought the religion was bizarre and suspicious. Since it was not permitted to confess or profess their faith openly, they turned to symbols to help them sustain their true beliefs as a Christian. The main symbols that are consistent throughout the catacombs such as The Good Shepherd, Dove, The monogram of Christ, Fish.
History of the Catacombs
Everyone has their own opinion just as every religion and culture has their own beliefs and traditions, but neither of their traditions or beliefs are right nor wrong. This is a similar case between the Roman and the christian individuals because, the Romans believed in cremating an individual after death and placing their remains within an urn. However Christians objected to follow through with the same process as they believe in bodily resurrection and continued to bury their loved ones instead. As the Christians were refusing to cremate individuals the Romans considered it as bizarre and suspicious, as they believed their way of death was the right method to use. This led to the banning and of professing of religion in the public, and also led to the complications and misunderstanding between the Christian and Roman individuals.
The catacombs is significant in both history's of the Jewish and Christian religion, as they feature unique, important events and portraits associated with their traditions. The Jewish catacombs can be traced all the way back to the first century, however the Christian catacombs didn't begin until the second century. Although it was illegal to profess oneself religion in public the catacombs became popular throughout all of Rome amongst all religions. The catacombs were the perfect place for an individual to perform religious practices.
The impact on the portrayal of Jesus
The Christian community were going through a lot during this time period. They couldn't spread the word of the Christian faith, beliefs and religious practices, as the punishment for breaking the law was persecution. This put a large amount of pressure on the Church as they did not have any authority to legalize the law against Christianity. Since they were in need of help and the religion was somewhat fairly new to some Christian individuals, Jesus was portrayed as a young leader. He was seen as a young leader who would come and save the Christian community from their ending horror of fear.
The Good Shepherd (seen below)
As mentioned in the features of the Christian Catacombs there were a few main paintings that were found in the catacombs, among those was the good shepherd. The good shepherd was the most common paintings among the Christian society. The painting consist of a young Jesus carrying a lamb on his shoulders with another two by his side. Meaning that Jesus is the shepherd, a leader as we are the sheep. As will willing search for his sheep as he is humble and caring for us. This artwork is also associated with the parable the Lost sheep.
As mentioned in the features of the Christian Catacombs there were a few main paintings that were found in the catacombs, among those was the good shepherd. The good shepherd was the most common paintings among the Christian society. The painting consist of a young Jesus carrying a lamb on his shoulders with another two by his side. Meaning that Jesus is the shepherd, a leader as we are the sheep. As will willing search for his sheep as he is humble and caring for us. This artwork is also associated with the parable the Lost sheep.