Editing Byzantine art (section)

=== Early Byzantine art ===
[[File:Areobindus presides over the games MNMA Cluny 13135 n02.jpg|thumb|Leaf from an ivory diptych of [[Areobindus Dagalaiphus Areobindus]], consul in Constantinople, 506. Areobindus is shown above, presiding over the games in the Hippodrome, depicted beneath ([[Musée national du Moyen Âge]])]]
[[Image:StGeorgeRotundaSofia.JPG|thumb|[[Church of St. George, Sofia|The St. George Rotunda]] in [[Sofia]], built in the 4th century, and some remains of [[Serdica]] can be seen in the foreground]]
Two events were of fundamental importance to the development of a unique, Byzantine art. First, the [[Edict of Milan]], issued by the emperors [[Constantine I]] and [[Licinius]] in 313, allowed for public Christian worship, and led to the development of a monumental, Christian art. Second, the dedication of [[Constantinople]] in 330 created a great new artistic centre for the eastern half of the Empire, and a specifically Christian one. Other artistic traditions flourished in rival cities such as [[Alexandria]], [[Antioch]], and [[Rome]], but it was not until all of these cities had fallen - the first two to the [[Arabs]] and Rome to the [[Goths]] - that Constantinople established its supremacy.

Constantine devoted great effort to the decoration of Constantinople, adorning its public spaces with ancient statuary,<ref>{{harvnb|Bassett|2004}}.</ref> and building a [[Forum of Constantine|forum]] dominated by a porphyry column that carried a statue of himself.<ref>{{harvnb|Fowden|1991|pp=119‒131}}; {{harvnb|Bauer|1996}}.</ref> Major Constantinopolitan churches built under Constantine and his son, [[Constantius II]], included the original foundations of [[Hagia Sophia]] and the [[Church of the Holy Apostles]].<ref>{{harvnb|Mathews|1971}}; {{harvnb|Henck|2001|pp=279‒304}}</ref>

The next major building campaign in Constantinople was sponsored by [[Theodosius I]]. The most important surviving monument of this period is the obelisk and base erected by Theodosius in the [[Hippodrome of Constantinople|Hippodrome]]<ref>{{harvnb|Kiilerich|1998}}.</ref> which, with the large silver dish called the [[Missorium of Theodosius I]], represents the classic examples of what is sometimes called the "Theodosian Renaissance". The earliest surviving church in Constantinople is the Basilica of St. John at the [[Stoudios]] Monastery, built in the fifth century.<ref>{{harvnb|Mathews|1971}}.</ref>

[[File:RabulaGospelsFolio13vAscension.jpg|thumb|[[miniature_(illuminated_manuscript)|Miniatures]] of the 6th-century [[Rabula Gospel]] (a Byzantine Syriac Gospel) display the more abstract and symbolic nature of Byzantine art]]

Due to subsequent rebuilding and destruction, relatively few Constantinopolitan monuments of this early period survive. However, the development of monumental early Byzantine art can still be traced through surviving structures in other cities. For example, important early churches are found in Rome (including [[Santa Sabina]] and [[Basilica di Santa Maria Maggiore|Santa Maria Maggiore]]),<ref>{{harvnb|Krautheimer|2000}}.</ref> and in [[Thessaloniki]] (the [[Arch and Tomb of Galerius|Rotunda]] and the [[Church of the Acheiropoietos|Acheiropoietos Basilica]]).<ref>{{harvnb|Spieser|1984}}; {{harvnb|Ćurčić|2000}}.</ref>

A number of important illuminated manuscripts, both sacred and secular, survive from this early period. Classical authors, including [[Virgil]] (represented by the [[Vergilius Vaticanus]]<ref>{{harvnb|Wright|1993}}.</ref> and the [[Vergilius Romanus]])<ref>{{harvnb|Wright|2001}}.</ref> and [[Homer]] (represented by the [[Ambrosian Iliad]]), were illustrated with narrative paintings. Illuminated biblical manuscripts of this period survive only in fragments: for example, the [[Quedlinburg Itala fragment]] is a small portion of what must have been a lavishly illustrated copy of [[1 Kings]].<ref>{{harvnb|Levin|1985}}.</ref>

[[File:QuedlinburgItalaFolio2rIllus1KingsChap15.jpg|thumb|Scenes from Chapter 15 of [[1 Samuel]] from the 5th century CE [[Quedlinburg Itala fragment|Quedlinburg ''Itala'' fragment]].]]

Early Byzantine art was also marked by the cultivation of [[ivory carving]].<ref>{{harvnb|Volbach|1976}}.</ref> Ivory [[diptych]]s, often elaborately decorated, were issued as gifts by newly appointed [[consul]]s.<ref>{{harvnb|Delbrueck|1929}}.</ref> Silver plates were another important form of luxury art:<ref>{{harvnb|Dodd|1961}}.</ref> among the most lavish from this period is the [[Missorium of Theodosius I]].<ref>{{harvnb|Almagro-Gorbea|2000}}.</ref> [[Sarcophagi]] continued to be produced in great numbers.