Continuity and change from Roman antiquity to the Christian Middle Ages in the art and
architecture of Mediterranean lands (200-600 A.D.)  The “decline” of Rome and the
development of Christian imagery  will be studied through art, archaeological sites, and
texts–writings from the time as well as later historians.
Prerequisite:  AH111, AH112 or consent of instructor.  

Late antiquity is one of the most difficult but fascinating periods in art history.  Art
historical models developed for periods in art history like Greek or Renaissance art
when  “progress” towards naturalism is used as a criterion distort our understanding of
late antiquity when art was multivalent.   The traditional approach to late antiquity is to
emphasize the influence of Christianity in the early 4th century, but it ignores the fact
that fourth-century emperors saw their empire as continuous with its pagan ancestor.
Nevertheless there are sea changes.  As Jas Elsner says, “..Late Antiquity brought
profound changes in social, political, and personal relationships, in the formation of
organized Christianity (not only as a religion but also as a dominant cultural system), in
the reformulation of attitudes to the family, to sexuality, to the body itself.” This course
will survey the art of the period, while examining fundamental issues such as art and
religion, cultural change, etc.  
 

REQUIREMENTS  

This course will be taught as a seminar.  Therefore attendance is absolutely essential.
Students who miss class will have their grades lowered, excessive absences without
legitimate cause will result in failure.

During the course of the block students will be required to complete the following
assignments:  

Daily journaling on the readings -- some will be graded as we go. Guidelines to be provided.

Report/short paper on Dura Europos or some aspect of Christian art before Constantine,
Monday April 28

Project on a topic of student’s choice,  class report during 3rd week
and paper or other project due Tuesday, May 13.

Final exam in the form of a take-home essay, Due Wednesday, May 14.  
 
READINGS  

The following books are available for purchase in the CC Bookstore:

 Peter Brown, The World of Late Antiquity

Thomas Mathews, The Clash of Gods

There will be significant reading in all of them.  Other readings will be distributed as
photocopies.
 
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