Constantine and Rome

this Book Takes On A Period Of Immense Historical Change And Explains How Constantine Came To Accept Christianity, Not Only As A Spiritual Force But As A Political Institution That Reconstituted The Empire. It Is Important For Scholars And Students Alike.-eve D'ambra, Vassar College author Biography: R. Ross Holloway Is Elisha Benjamin Andrews Professor Of Art At Brown University And The Former Director Of Brown's Center For Old World Archaeology And Art. The Author Of Many Books, He Is The Recipient Of The Archaeological Institute Of America's Highest Award For Lifetime Achievement. Constantine the Great (285337) played a crucial role in mediating between the pagan, imperial past of the city of Rome, which he conquered in 312, and its future as a Christian capital. In this learned and highly readable book, R. Ross Holloway examines Constantines remarkable building program in Rome. Holloway begins by examining the Christian Church in the period before the Peace of 313, when Constantine and his co-emperor Licinius ended the persecution of the Christians. He then focuses on the structure, style, and significance of important the Arch of Constantine and the two great Christian basilicas, St. Johns in the Lateran and St. Peters, as well as the imperial mausoleum at Tor Pignatara. In a final chapter Holloway advances a new interpretation of the archaeology of the Tomb of St. Peter beneath the high altar of St. Peters Basilica. The tomb, he concludes, was not the original resting place of the remains venerated as those of the Apostle but was created only in 251 by Pope Cornelius. Drawing on the most up-to-date archaeological evidence, he describes a cityscape that was at once Christian and pagan, mirroring the personality of its ruler. This book takes on a period of immense historical change and explains how Constantine came to accept Christianity, not only as a spiritual force but as a political institution that reconstituted the empire. It is important for scholars and students alike.Eve DAmbra, Vassar College Constantine the Great (285337) played a crucial role in mediating between the pagan, imperial past of the city of Rome, which he conquered in 312, and its future as a Christian capital. In this learned and highly readable book, R. Ross Holloway examines Constantines remarkable building program in Rome. Holloway begins by examining the Christian Church in the period before the Peace of 313, when Constantine and his co-emperor Licinius ended the persecution of the Christians. He then focuses on the structure, style, and significance of important the Arch of Constantine and the two great Christian basilicas, St. Johns in the Lateran and St. Peters, as well as the imperial mausoleum at Tor Pignatara. In a final chapter Holloway advances a new interpretation of the archaeology of the Tomb of St. Peter beneath the high altar of St. Peters Basilica. The tomb, he concludes, was not the original resting place of the remains venerated as those of the Apostle but was created only in 251 by Pope Cornelius. Drawing on the most up-to-date archaeological evidence, he describes a cityscape that was at once Christian and pagan, mirroring the personality of its ruler. This book takes on a period of immense historical change and explains how Constantine came to accept Christianity, not only as a spiritual force but as a political institution that reconstituted the empire. It is important for scholars and students alike.Eve DAmbra, Vassar College Constantine the Great (285-337) played a crucial role in mediating between the pagan, imperial past of the city of Rome, which he conquered in 312, and its future as a Christian capital. In this learned and highly readable book, R. Ross Holloway draws on archaeological evidence to examine Constantine's remarkable building program in Rome, describing a cityscape that was at once Christian and pagan, mirroring the personality of its ruler. Holloway begins by examining the Christian Church in the period before the Peace of 313, when Constantine and his coemperor Licinius ended persecution of the Christians. He then focuses on the structure, style, and significance of important monuments. He discusses the Arch of Constantine, suggesting that it was begun by Constantine's predecessor Maxentius but finished, with modifications, for the new emperor. He looks at the basilicas of the Constantinian period, including St. John's in the Lateran and St. Peter's, and the imperial mausoleum and basilica at Tor Pignatara on the Via Labicana, which he contends is one of the most innovative complexes in the history of Western architecture. Holloway next surveys the Christian cemeteries of the period and reviews evidence for adaptation of pagan buildings to Christian worship. In a final chapter Holloway advances a new interpretation of the archaeology of the Tomb of St. Peter under the high altar of St. Peter's basilica. The tomb, he concludes, was not the original resting place of the remains venerated as those of the apostle but was created only in 251 by Pope Cornelius. "Constantine the Great (285-337) played a crucial role in mediating between the pagan, imperial past of the city of Rome, which he conquered in 312, and its future as a Christian capital. In this book, R. Ross Holloway draws on archaeological evidence to examine Constantine's remarkable building program in Rome, describing a cityscape that was at once Christian and pagan, mirroring the personality of its ruler." "Holloway begins by examining the Christian Church in the period before the Peace of 313, when Constantine and his coemperor Licinius ended persecution of the Christians. He then focuses on the structure, style, and significance of important monuments. He discusses the Arch of Constantine, suggesting that it was begun by Constantine's predecessor Maxentius but finished, with modifications, for the new emperor. He looks at the basilicas of the Constantinian period, including St. John's in the Lateran and St. Peter's, and the imperial mausoleum and basilica at Tor Pignatara on the Via Labicana, which he contends is one of the most innovative complexes in the history of Western architecture. Holloway next surveys the Christian cemeteries of the period and reviews evidence for adaptation of pagan buildings to Christian worship. In a final chapter Holloway advances a new interpretation of the archaeology of the Tomb of St. Peter under the high altar of St. Peter's basilica. The tomb, he concludes, was not the original resting place of the remains venerated as those of the apostle but was created only in 251 by Pope Cornelius."--BOOK JACKET.