God and Gold in Late Antiquity [Paperback]

A 1998 study of the textual and artistic meaning of the grandeur of early Christian churches.This study explains the rise of the Christian grandeur of great churches from late antiquity and the middle ages. From the fourth century churches were paid for in gold--and were often decorated with it--in apparent contradiction to Christ's message of poverty and simplicity. Previous books have focussed either upon art historical imagery or upon theological disputes. This pioneering study employs modern theories concerning imagery and allegory to enable us to understand the ancient and medieval world view and the textual and artistic legacy of that age.This study explains the rise of the Christian grandeur of great churches from late antiquity and the middle ages. From the fourth century churches were paid for in gold--and were often decorated with it--in apparent contradiction to Christ's message of poverty and simplicity. Previous books have focussed either upon art historical imagery or upon theological disputes. This pioneering study employs modern theories concerning imagery and allegory to enable us to understand the ancient and medieval world view and the textual and artistic legacy of that age.This study explains the rise of the Christian grandeur of great churches in late antiquity and the Middle Ages. From the fourth century churches were paid for in gold--and were often decorated with it--in apparent contradiction to Christ's message of poverty and simplicity. Previous books have focused either on art historical imagery or on theological disputes. This pioneering study employs modern theories concerning imagery and allegory to enable us to understand the ancient and medieval world view and the textual and artistic legacy of that age.Preface; List of illustrations; Note on conventions; List of abbreviations; 1. Introduction; 2. Roman splendour; 3. The riches of scripture; 4. The art of persuasion; 5. The Christian display of wealth; Epilogue; Bibliography; Index. ló,