Image File  RK208-5
 
 

Consular Diptych of Areobindus, 506
Consular Diptych Clementinus, 513
Consular Diptych of Anastasius, 517

In the early sixth century, Anicia Juliana, an extremely wealthy aristocrat descended from the Emperor Theodosius was one of the most active and influential patrons of the arts.

Vienna Dioscorides Manuscript, for Anicia Juliana, c. 512, a scientific manuscript with an illustrated herbal, other treatises on the natural sciences.

The church of St. Polyeuktos, Constantinople, early 6th cen., for Anicia Juliana, 524-527, known through excavations. It many have been a domed basilica and provided a model for Justinian's Hagia Sophia. The sculptural decoration was extraordinarily lavish, including the inscription of a poetic tribute to Anicia Juliana.
 
 

The art and architecture of Justinian, reigned 527-565, are regarded as the culminating achievements of Early Byzantine Art. Justinian attempted in his military and political actions as well as in his monuments to restore the glory and grandeur of the Roman Empire.

Map of the Empire, Constantinople in the Age of Justinian

*Barberini Diptych, probably Justinian, first half of the 6th century

Plan of Constantinople

The Great Church, the Hagia Sophia, Isidorus of Miletus and Anthemius of Tralles, 532-537
 

Study Questions:

Study the plan and section of the Hagia Sophia, devise a method for understanding its scale.

Read carefully the description of the Hagia Sophia by Procopius.  How accurately does he describne it?  Does he understand its structure?  How does the description of Paul the Silentiary compare to that of Procopius?
 

Recommended Reading:

H. Kahler and C. Mango, The Hagia Sophia.

R. Browning, Justinian and Theodora.