CHAPTER SEVEN JEWISH AND EARLY CHRISTIAN ART
1. Which term describes the followers of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam that believe that only one god created and rules the universe?
A. polytheistic
B. monotheistic
C. post theistic
D. unitheistic
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 7.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Jewish and Early Christian art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Judaism and Christianity in the Late Roman World
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
2. From which period do most of the earliest surviving examples of Jewish art date?
A. Neo-Babylonian and Egyptian
B. Hellenistic and Roman
C. Minoan and Mycenaean
D. Persian and Greek
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 7.c Relate Jewish and Early Christian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Early Jewish Art
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
3. What was considered suspect because Jewish law prohibited the worship of idols?
A. narrative subjects
B. symbolic imagery
C. sculpture in the round
D. abstract forms
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 7.c Relate Jewish and Early Christian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Early Jewish Art
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
4. The first synagogue at Dura Europos was located in a
A. temple.
B. catacomb.
C. basilica.
D. house.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 7.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Jewish and Early Christian art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Early Jewish Art
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
5. The small rooms in catacombs that were frequently plastered and painted were called
A. cubicula.
B. loculi.
C. lunettes.
D. ceilings.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 7.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Jewish and Early Christian art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Early Christian Art
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
6. Discoveries at Dura-Europos in the 1930s contradicted what long-held scholarly belief?
A. Early Christians did not decorate their places of worship.
B. Jews of this period did not create any sort of figural art.
C. Early Christian congregations were never more than 20 to 25 people for fear of discovery
D. Jews of this period used purely original iconography.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 7.c Relate Jewish and Early Christian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Early Jewish Art
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
7. What did Early Christians often employ as prefigurations of important events in the Christian Bible?
A. stories from Greek mythology
B. accounts from Roman history
C. episodes from the Hebrew Bible
D. tales from the Ancient Near East
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 7.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Jewish and Early Christian art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Early Christian Art
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
8. What is the significance of the contrast between the plain exterior of the Oratory of Galla Placidia (Figs. 7-19, 7-20, and 7-21) and its highly decorated interior?
A. It reflects the economic needs to limit the decorative programs of churches.
B. It symbolizes the transition from the real world into a supernatural realm.
C. It is the result of later generations stripping the original decoration from the exterior.
D. It symbolizes Christianity’s development from humble origins to a great religion.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 7.e Interpret a work of Jewish and Early Christian art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: The Oratory of Galla Placidia
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
9. In the Catacomb of Commodilla, Jesus is depicted as
A. King of Heaven.
B. a teacher.
C. the son of God.
D. a judge.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 7.b Interpret the meaning of works of Jewish and early Christian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Chapter Introduction
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
10. The Eucharist is an elaborate ceremony in Christian worship involving the ritual consumption of bread and wine, which are identified as Christ’s
A. heart and soul.
B. mind and spirit.
C. body and blood.
D. food and drink.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 7.c Relate Jewish and Early Christian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Early Christian Art
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
11. Most examples of Early Christian sculpture created before the fourth century are
A. large free-standing figures.
B. sarcophagi and small statues.
C. found in places of worship.
D. portable diptychs used for private devotion.
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 7.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Jewish and Early Christian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Early Christian Art
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
12. Why were central-plan structures used for baptisteries, as well as for martyrs’ churches and tombs?
A. Christians “died” in baptism and were reborn as believers.
B. The rotunda was logistically well suited for the ritual of baptism.
C. There was no need for congregational space.
D. Early Christians adhered to existing Roman burial practices.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 7.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Jewish and Early Christian art.
Topic: Santa Costanza
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
13. The Good Shepherd, a Christian symbol that was based on pagan images of Apollo, Hermes, and Orpheus, is considered an example of
A. prefiguration.
B. symbolism.
C. syncretism.
D. typological parallel.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 7.e Interpret a work of Jewish and Early Christian art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Early Christian Art
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
14. Any large room where Torah scrolls are kept and read publicly can function as a
A. synagogue.
B. church.
C. basilica.
D. martyrium.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 7.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Jewish and Early Christian art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Early Jewish Art
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
15. Which two words are typically used to describe Christian art?
A. symbolic; narrative
B. allegorical; metaphorical
C. symbolic; iconic
D. iconic; narrative
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 7.e Interpret a work of Jewish and Early Christian art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Chapter Introduction
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
16.Which scene from the life of Jesus shows the archangel Gabriel informing the Virgin Mary that God has chosen her to bear his Son?
A. Visitation
B. Annunciation
C. Nativity
D. Baptism
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 7.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Jewish and Early Christian art.
Topic: Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
17. The wall between the nave arcade and the clerestory in Early Christian churches was typically decorated with
A. mosaics.
B. stained glass.
C. reliefs.
D. stucco.
Answer: A
Learning Objective: 7.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Jewish and Early Christian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Santa Sabina
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
18. What did Jews and Christians use for burials and funerary ceremonies, not as places of worship?
A. basilicas
B. martyria
C. catacombs
D. synagogues
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 7.c Relate Jewish and Early Christian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Chapter Introduction
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
19. The mosaics in the rotunda of St. George in Thessaloniki depict
A. gods and goddesses.
B. Jonah and the Whale.
C. Christ as the Good Shepherd.
D. standing saints.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 7.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Jewish and Early Christian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: The Rotunda Church of St. George in Thessaloniki
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
20. What features do both the figures and the backdrop of the mosaics in the rotunda of St. George possess?
A. tetrarchic
B. highly abstract
C. classical
D. pagan
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 7.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Jewish and Early Christian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: The Rotunda Church of St. George in Thessaloniki
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
21. Which daughter of the Roman emperor Theodosius I ruled the western part of the Roman Empire as regent for her son?
A. Helena
B. Galla Placidia
C. Constantia
D. Beta Alpha
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 7.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Jewish and Early Christian art, artists, and art history.
Topic: The Oratory of Galla Placidia in Ravenna
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
22. What symbolizes eternal life in the Oratory of Galla Placidia?
A. bookcases
B. doves flanking a fountain
C. floral designs
D. geometric patterns
Answer: B
Learning Objective: 7.b Interpret the meaning of works of Jewish and early Christian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: The Oratory of Galla Placidia in Ravenna
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
23. The image of Christ in the Cubiculum of Leonis is iconic because
A. it is located in a catacomb.
B. he appears as the Good Shepherd.
C. he performs miracles.
D. it symbolizes an idea.
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 7.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Jewish and Early Christian art.
Topic: Chapter Introduction
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
24. The peacocks on the Sarcophagus of Constantina symbolize
A. Bacchian ritual.
B. religious freedom.
C. eternal life in paradise.
D. the Eucharist.
Answer: C
Learning Objective: 7.e Interpret a work of Jewish and Early Christian art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Santa Costanza
Difficulty Level: Easy
Skill Level: Remember the Facts
25. What innovative feature of St. Peter’s provided space for the clergy and pilgrims?
A. aisles
B. apse
C. nave
D. transept
Answer: D
Learning Objective: 7.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Jewish and Early Christian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Old St. Peter’s
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Short Answer
1. What are the basic beliefs of the Jews, the Christians, and the Muslims?
Answer: All three religions are monotheistic, believing in the same God of Abraham that created the universe. Jews believe their ancestors made a pact with God. Christians believe that Jesus was the Messiah. Muslims believe Muhammad was the greatest prophet, the Messenger of God.
Learning Objective: 7.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Jewish and Early Christian art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Judaism and Christianity in the Late Roman World
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
2. What is the origin of the Jewish people?
Answer: Jewish people can trace their history to a Semitic people called the Hebrews from the land of Canaan located along the eastern edge of the Mediterranean Sea.
Learning Objective: 7.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Jewish and Early Christian art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Early Jewish Art
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
3. What is the history of the First and Second Temple in Jerusalem?
Answer: King Solomon built the First Temple to house the Ark of the Covenant in the tenth century BCE. In 586 BCE, Babylonian King Nebuchadnezzar II destroyed the temple and exiled the Jews. In 539 BCE, Persian King Cyrus permitted the Jews to return and build the Second Temple, which was later destroyed by the Romans.
Learning Objective: 7.c Relate Jewish and Early Christian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Early Jewish Art
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
4. What are at least two types of synagogue designs?
Answer: The house-synagogue consisted of an assembly hall, a separate alcove for women, and a courtyard. The second type was based on the Roman basilica, with a central nave, aisles on both sides, a colonnade, and a semicircular apse.
Learning Objective: 7.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Jewish and Early Christian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: Early Jewish Art
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
5. Geographically and administratively, how was the early church organized?
Answer: Early Christian communities organized geographically into dioceses, along the lines of Roman provincial governments. Bishops governed from the cathedrals and made smaller units known as parishes headed by priests.
Learning Objective: 7.c Relate Jewish and Early Christian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Early Christian Art
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
6. What are the different types of Christian art in existence from the time before Constantine?
Answer: Painting and mosaics decorated catacomb walls and ceilings. Relics and sculpture, including sarcophagi, also adorned early places of worship.
Learning Objective: 7.b Interpret the meaning of works of Jewish and early Christian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Early Christian Art
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
7. What was the purpose of baptism?
Answer: At age 30, Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist in the River Jordan. It is a cleansing ritual and act of humility.
Learning Objective: 7.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Jewish and Early Christian art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
8. What was the purpose of the Edict of Milan?
Answer: Constantine decreed in 313 that all people of the Roman Empire had the freedom to worship whatever god they wished. The Edict of Milan legalized Christianity and began a period of great expansion in terms of art, architecture, and devotees.
Learning Objective: 7.c Relate Jewish and Early Christian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Imperial Christian Architecture and Art in Rome
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
9. How does Santa Costanza represent a tholos?
Answer: The church is built with a vertical plan, not a longitudinal plan, like a Mycenaean tholos, with a rounded dome and tomb.
Learning Objective: 7.c Relate Jewish and Early Christian artists and art to their cultural, economic, and political contexts.
Topic: Santa Costanza
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
10. What scenes are portrayed in the Mosaic Floor of the Beth Alpha Synagogue (Fig. 7-5)?
Answer: The zodiac wheel is seen at the center of the mosaic with four winged personifications of the seasons around the wheel. The Torah shrine is flanked by menorahs and growling lions. The Sacrifice of Isaac is depicted on the other side of the wheel.
Learning Objective: 7.b Interpret the meaning of works of Jewish and early Christian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Early Jewish Art
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
Essay
1. Discuss the iconographic motifs that developed during the Early Christian period for representing events from the Life of Christ.
Answer:
1. Syncretism played a large role in the development of iconography in the Early Christian period, like the halo that represented divinity.
2. The narrative of the life of Christ was often instructional and moralistic. Iconic images symbolized core concepts and values.
3. Water was frequently represented to symbolize life and baptism.
4. Christ was often represented as the Good Shepherd, showing him as a leader and guide for believers.
Learning Objective: 7.d Apply the vocabulary and concepts relevant to Jewish and Early Christian art, artists, and art history.
Topic: Early Christian Art
Difficulty Level: Moderate
Skill Level: Understand the Concepts
2. Trace the development of Early Christian architecture from its origins in pagan structures.
Answer:
1. Greek and Roman temple designs were used as the foundation of the Christian church.
2. After the Edict of Milan in 313, Christians began using the longitudinal plan of the pagan basilica to house large congregations. These including a nave, aisles, apse, and atrium, like Old St. Peter’s.
3. Central-plan Roman buildings with vertical axes served as models for churches dedicated to martyrs and baptisteries.
4. In later churches, oratories, barrel vaults, pendentive domes, and ambulatories were incorporated into the design.
Learning Objective: 7.f Select visual and textual evidence in various media to support an argument or an interpretation of a work of Jewish and Early Christian art.
Topic: Imperial Christian Architecture and Art in Rome, Ravenna and Thessaloniki
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
3. How do Classical themes and symbols continue to be incorporated into Christian art and architecture?
Answer:
1. Syncretism is the adoption and assimilation of images from other traditions. Classical themes continue to be a part of Christian imagery.
2. At Santa Costanza, Harvesting of Grapes depicts putti—naked cherubs—derived from pagan art, in the ambulatory vault.
3. Roman emperors and pagan gods can be seen on the Sarcophagus of Junius Bassus.
4. The church of St. George has mosaics with figures in Classical drapery and modeled.
Learning Objective: 7.b Interpret the meaning of works of Jewish and early Christian art based on their themes, subjects, and symbols.
Topic: Imperial Christian Architecture and Art in Rome, Ravenna and Thessaloniki
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
4. Describe the form, perspective, and composition of The Good Shepherd (Fig. 7-21).
Answer:
1. The figure of Jesus is shown with a halo and elongated shepherd’s crook in the shape of the cross and dressed in a gold, blue, and purple robe.
2. His form is rounded and he appears to be sitting, twisting to touch a sheep.
3. The artist used vertical perspective and did not establish a horizon line. The mosaic lacks depth.
4. Jesus is positioned in the center of the mosaic with two rock structures and three sheep on each side.
Learning Objective: 7.a Identify the visual hallmarks of Jewish and Early Christian art for formal, technical, and expressive qualities.
Topic: The Oratory of Galla Placidia in Ravenna
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
5. Compare and contrast the decorative characteristics of the interiors and exteriors of Early Christian churches, such as the Church of Santa Sabina, Rome, and Galla Placidia, Ravenna.
Answer:
1. Early Christian churches were fairly plain on their exteriors, while the interior spaces were decorated with painting, mosaic, and sculpture.
2. The exteriors emphasized Roman materials and innovations, such as brick and the arch, and had small spaces for windows.
3. Interior works of art included bright colors, gold, and elaborate column designs.
4. Interior spaces also incorporated finer materials, such as marble floors and columns, and painted ceilings. Elaborately decorated sarcophagi increased the aesthetic value of the church interior.
Learning Objective: 7.e Interpret a work of Jewish and Early Christian art using the art historical methods of observation, comparison, and inductive reasoning.
Topic: Imperial Christian Architecture and Art in Rome
Difficulty Level: Difficult
Skill Level: Apply What You Know and Analyze It
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