CATACOMBS
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Catacombs are man made subterranean passageways and mazes of dark and narrow underground tunnels/tombs, that can be located anywhere in the world, one could be under your feet at this very moment.
These mysterious underground tunnels are mostly common and are assosciated with the Roman Empire. Catacombs originated in Rome, the location where there is a large quantity of catacombs. This was in the time between the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
Catacombs are forms of architectures that have been popularised by the stories and meanings of the art hidden within them. These underground tunnels have numerous of reasons why they were made and are used for.
Catacombs are unique to the Christian art as they have value and significance. There are several of symbols and frescoes within the catacombs, that builds a miniature gospel, as well as a summary of the Christian Faith. These special symbols include: The Good Shepherd, the Orante, the monogram of Christ, The Fish, The Dove, The Alpha and the Omega, The anchor and The Phoenix. All the symbols within these underground tunnels hold significant meaning and are symbolic. Many artworks from this era are made from mosaics, paint, as well as carvings. These artworks related to many of the stories from the Old Testament.
These mysterious underground tunnels are mostly common and are assosciated with the Roman Empire. Catacombs originated in Rome, the location where there is a large quantity of catacombs. This was in the time between the 2nd and 3rd centuries.
Catacombs are forms of architectures that have been popularised by the stories and meanings of the art hidden within them. These underground tunnels have numerous of reasons why they were made and are used for.
Catacombs are unique to the Christian art as they have value and significance. There are several of symbols and frescoes within the catacombs, that builds a miniature gospel, as well as a summary of the Christian Faith. These special symbols include: The Good Shepherd, the Orante, the monogram of Christ, The Fish, The Dove, The Alpha and the Omega, The anchor and The Phoenix. All the symbols within these underground tunnels hold significant meaning and are symbolic. Many artworks from this era are made from mosaics, paint, as well as carvings. These artworks related to many of the stories from the Old Testament.
What was happening historically and culturally during this period, was that in the Roman Empire, the religion Christianity only just became a religious group. The government of Rome found them mysterious and suspicious, so they disagreed to comply with the laws they would give them, therefore the Government of Rome would persecute, imprison, sentence or condemn them to death. Due to this the Christians would celebrate anniversaries of martyrs, and other dead Christians. They also displayed signficant symbols of their religion and meet up in catacombs beneath Rome.
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This affected how Jesus is portrayed during this historical art period, as the number of Christians and persecutions/deaths of Christians, they used numerous of significant symbols at the time to symbolise Jesus, as well as
salvation or peace. These symbols taught the religion Christianity and was imporant to Christians at the time.
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The image above is a one of the vaults in a catacomb in Rome. This reflects the culture of the time and what was occuring historically as it shows the importance of Jesus and His life, and that the Christians at the time believed in Jesus, as well as used symbols and paintings to summarise their Christian faiths. It also shows that the Christians during the art period that they gathered together and spread stories of the religion.