Introduction
The term Basilica is a Latin word that is used in describing a Roman public building that was located in Roman town. (Willibald, 2004) After the Empire of Roam was Christianized, the basilica contributed to church construction that is currently used by the Pope.
In the picture of architecture, the basilica constituted of large roofed halls that were used for legal matters and transactions. They were characterized by interior colonnades where the magistrates sat. There were clerestory windows that were used to light up the hall. Early examples, of basilica buildings, include the Basilica Porcia and Pompeii.
Main body
Christians were interested in buildings that were larger and handsome compared to the furtive meeting places for their worship needs. They were not interested in formulas to base their temples style because they believed that pagans worshiped on the outside and they (pagans) preferred the housing to be used for treasury and cult figures. Constantine who was king at that time preferred the basilica model of construction and made an apse on which the priests and bishop sat. A good example that was constructed by Constantine was his palace which was later used as a church. The architectural style was a rectangle with both sides two stories high with arch-shaped windows and without aisles. (John, 1997).
The introduction of Byzantine art was due to the development of Roman Empire art which was originally influenced by Greek art and was also associated with classical art. This also marked its inclusion into the basilica architectures that constituted designs and paintings. The Basilica of Santa Pudenziana constituting the Byzantine art like the window detail, painted and sculptured entablature, and the Apse Mosaic of Evangelists and Christ are known good examples of their inclusion in the Basilica era (Willibald 2004 pp. 541 – 641).
An example of Romanesque art is the Basilica Saint Magdalen. This construction was founded by Girard de Roussillon which was a simple form of the Benedictine monastery. Its construction plans are simple with its facade humble and restrained. It was characterized by a Latin cross, the antechamber or the narthex that was used by pilgrims for preparations before coming to the nave. The nave is 18 meters high and contains 10 bays that have bright and dark drawings. The pillars contain the lifetime of saints and biblical scenes, and the triforium is the source of light.
During the Gothic art period, the basilicas constituted sculptures that were inscribed on the walls of the Cathedrals in the Chartres Cathedral, a figure that was made of columns in revolutionary figures which provided the base for sculptors. The characteristics that featured most were the ribbed vaulting and the arch which was pointed. This enabled the ceiling to be high with the ribbed signature and the vaultedness. This means that the weight of the walls was distributed into the exterior structures which enabled the development of churches and their magnificent light provision (Scotti 2006 pp. 241 – 253).
Conclusion
The basilica which constituted adverse architectural styles was mostly used in cathedral and church scenarios. Their development was influenced by the leaders of those times; individuals like Constantine contributed a lot to the development of such architecture.
Works Cited
John L. Early Christian & Byzantine Art: A&I, New York: Phaidon 1997 pp. 447.
Scotti, A. Basilica. The splendor and the scandal: building St. Peter’s, London: Viking, 2006 pp. 241 -253.
Willibald, S. Romanesque Art, New York: Pindar Press, 2004 pp. 541 – 641.