Answering other questions about Early Christian, Byzantine, and Early Medieval sculpture - AP Art History

The sarcophagus was made in the middle of the fourth century, just as Chrisitanity began to reshape the Roman Empire and split it into two conflicting Christian worlds.

The figures appear in a Roman style of dress and appearance, although their Christian elements, like the naked Adam and Eve, suggest it is a later Roman style.

The Corinthian columns and stylized pediment are orginially from pagan temples and would have been introduced to the Romans by the Greeks.

The work is from the middle of the fourth century and would have predated the height of Byzantium.

The columns sport the leaves of an acanthus plant, which is stylistically representative of the Corinthian order.

Junius Bassus was a powerful senator, and the owner of this work. He must have had enough wealth and influence to commission such a work for his death, and he must have been Christian to justify the imagery. He was not a Roman Emperor, and certainly not an "ancient" one, which typically refers to a period about a thousand years before Bassus lived.

Female figures have been nude almost since the beginning of figurative art. They are not new to the Romans, although they are seen less often.

Byzantine art evolved from ancient Roman art, although this transition is not superficially obvious. It is important to remember that the Byzantine Empire is at times referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire, and that the Byzantine people considered themselves to be Romans through the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. The evolution of style of Byzantine art occurred due to the fact that the Byzantine Empire and Constantinople were considered the bridge between Eastern and Western European cultures. The clash and intermingling of these cultures and religions is what created the unique style and appearance of Byzantine art.

The Christian motif is clear on the work, indicating it would have been on display in a Christian burial place. A sarcophagus would not have been placed in the ground, and this one is not pagan in nature.

The sarcophagus was made in the middle of the fourth century, just as Chrisitanity began to reshape the Roman Empire and split it into two conflicting Christian worlds.

The figures appear in a Roman style of dress and appearance, although their Christian elements, like the naked Adam and Eve, suggest it is a later Roman style.

The Corinthian columns and stylized pediment are orginially from pagan temples and would have been introduced to the Romans by the Greeks.

The work is from the middle of the fourth century and would have predated the height of Byzantium.

The columns sport the leaves of an acanthus plant, which is stylistically representative of the Corinthian order.

Junius Bassus was a powerful senator, and the owner of this work. He must have had enough wealth and influence to commission such a work for his death, and he must have been Christian to justify the imagery. He was not a Roman Emperor, and certainly not an "ancient" one, which typically refers to a period about a thousand years before Bassus lived.

Female figures have been nude almost since the beginning of figurative art. They are not new to the Romans, although they are seen less often.

Byzantine art evolved from ancient Roman art, although this transition is not superficially obvious. It is important to remember that the Byzantine Empire is at times referred to as the Eastern Roman Empire, and that the Byzantine people considered themselves to be Romans through the Fall of Constantinople in 1453. The evolution of style of Byzantine art occurred due to the fact that the Byzantine Empire and Constantinople were considered the bridge between Eastern and Western European cultures. The clash and intermingling of these cultures and religions is what created the unique style and appearance of Byzantine art.

The Christian motif is clear on the work, indicating it would have been on display in a Christian burial place. A sarcophagus would not have been placed in the ground, and this one is not pagan in nature.

The sarcophagus was made in the middle of the fourth century, just as Chrisitanity began to reshape the Roman Empire and split it into two conflicting Christian worlds.