What describes the Byzantine state?
The Byzantine Empire, also referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire or Byzantium, was the continuation of the Roman Empire in its eastern provinces during Late Antiquity and the Middle Ages, when its capital city was Constantinople.
What is the distinctive characteristics of Byzantine mosaic?
Mosaics. The majority of surviving wall and ceiling mosaics depict religious subjects and are to be found in many Byzantine churches. One of their characteristics is the use of gold tiles to create a shimmering background to the figures of Christ, the Virgin Mary and saints.
What are the characteristics of Byzantine?
Byzantine architects were eclectic, at first drawing heavily on Roman temple features. Their combination of the basilica and symmetrical central-plan (circular or polygonal) religious structures resulted in the characteristic Byzantine Greek-cross-plan church, with a square central mass and four arms of equal length.
What were the main characteristics of the Byzantine period?
A central feature of Byzantine culture was Orthodox Christianity. Byzantine society was very religious, and it held certain values in high esteem, including a respect for order and traditional hierarchies. Family was at the center of society, and marriage, chastity, and celibacy were celebrated and respected.
What was the main focus of both Byzantine and Romanesque art?
In both styles, churches were designed and their interior space planned with careful deliberation to reinforce the teachings of the Church and spread Church doctrine, or the official rules and guiding ideas of the Christian religion.
What do you think are the most significant visual aesthetic qualities of Byzantine art?
Generally speaking, the main characteristics of Byzantine art include a departure from classical art forms that were highly realistic in nature. Ornate church decoration was certainly apparent especially in the sixth-century Hagia Sophia in the capital, but the painting of icons is a main hallmark of Byzantine art.
What was the main subject matter of art in the Middle Ages?
Its focus was on religion and Christianity. It included architectural details like stained glass art, large murals on walls and domed ceilings, and carvings on buildings and columns. It also included illuminated manuscript art and sculpture.
Why was the Roman Empire split into two territories in 286 CE?
The Empire had become too large to rule effectively. The outer provinces were pretty much doing whatever they wanted. Emperor Diocletian was looking for a way to fix this and other problems. He decided that the only thing to do was to actually break the empire into two pieces.