Greco-Roman Paganism and Women Leaders: The Foundation of Early Christian Art

Author

Rowan MurryFollow

Date of Award

Spring 5-2-2021

Document Type

Undergraduate Thesis

Department

Art and Art History

First Advisor

Nancy Wicker

Second Advisor

Jacqueline DiBiasie-Sammons

Third Advisor

Aileen Ajootian

Relational Format

Dissertation/Thesis

Abstract

In this thesis, I explore the impact of Greco-Roman pagan motifs as well as women leaders and officials on the development of Early Christian art by analyzing catacomb paintings, sarcophagi, and minor arts such as finger rings and carved gemstones. I also discuss surviving primary sources written by Tertullian, Eusebius, St. Jerome, and Clement of Alexandria, to gain a better understanding of anti-art views in the first few centuries of the Church’s rise to power. These anti-art sentiments were often rooted in attempts to disassociate themselves from pagan practices while Early Christian art was emerging amongst the lower classes who were influenced by ubiquitous pagan artistic traditions and imagery. I also refute the common claim that Christians did not produce artworks prior to 200 CE by examining minor and non-traditional arts and by discussing the social and artistic impact of gender, class, and power dynamics in the Early Christian period. Minor arts and works produced for and by lower and middle classes, women, children, and people of color are almost always overlooked in the study of Late Antiquity. My goal is to shed some light on these perspectives and influences which will provide a more comprehensive, and accurate, perception of the timeline and development of Early Christian art.

Recommended Citation

Murry, Rowan, "Greco-Roman Paganism and Women Leaders: The Foundation of Early Christian Art" (2021). Honors Theses. 1770.
https://egrove.olemiss.edu/hon_thesis/1770

Accessibility Status

Searchable text

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.