M. Rakocija, ABOUT THE UNIQUE EARLY BYZANTINE IONIC IMPOST CAPITAL OF THE “RAM’S HORNS” TYPE, International symposium Niš and Byzantium XXI, Niš 2023, 45 – 66. (original) (raw)
Related papers
Khrushkova L. G. Impost Capitals from the Tauric Chersonese
IMPOST CAPITALS FROM THE TAURIC CHERSONESE In the 5th and 6th centuries Chersonesus became the destination for several hundred marble architectural details from the Proconnesian quarries of Constantinople: columns and capitals, ambos and chancel barriers, tiles for wall facings, floors and doorways. In terms of their variety and number, Chersonesus is exceptionally rich in the Pontic area and could be compared to Ravenna. Interesting in themselves as architectural decoration, they are also very important as an aid in clarifying the chronology of churches in Chersonesus and elsewhere in the Crimea. Many elements of marble decoration may have been moved, and establishing their original location is hardly possible. The capitals from Chersonesus represent virtually all known types of the Late Antique/Early Byzantine capital. They include Composite capitals with fine-toothed acanthus decoration; Corinthian capitals with two rows of acanthus leaves; variations on the Corinthian capital, Ionic impost capitals, imposts and an example of an Ionic capital. The greater part of the capitals date to the second half of the 5th century and the first half of the 6th. It was during this period that the larger basilicas, for which all these capitals, were constructed.
2023
Materialy po arkheologii i istorii antichnogo i srednevekovogo Prichernomor'ya, Proceedings in Archaeology and History of Ancient and Medieval Black Sea Region, acronym — MAIASP (former name — Materialy po arkheologii i istorii antichnogo i srednevekovogo Kryma, Materials in Archaeology and History of Ancient and Medieval Crimea, acronym — MAIASK). No. 15. Pp. 479-508. In this paper, twelve marble “medallion” capitals of the Holy Land are collected together, stylistically analyzed, and dated for the first time. For a better understanding of their geographical distribution, the places of recovery were marked on the map. In the recent article of C. Barsanti (2017), only 40 capitals of this type were collected throughout the whole Mediterranean region, so the number of local artifacts is rather considerable. None of the local capitals was revealed in situ but only in secondary use in the Early Islamic context or scattered at the sites. In all cases, Early-Byzantine churches dated to the 5th — 6th centuries CE were located in close vicinity. The paper consistently provides them as apparent sources from which the capitals might be hypothetically generated. Stylistic analysis showed the process of order alteration: the recognizable morphological basis of the type was followed (though not strictly) in all specimens. At the same time, ancillary details might vary considerably from one capital to the other.
2024
Tauric Chersonesus in Crimea (Cherson in Byzantine sources, now Sevastopol) has been studied for over a hundred years; there are over 20 buildings of the Early Byzantine period. Several hundred architectural details in Proconnessian marble date to the 5th and 6th centuries AD. The capitals found at Chersonesus include virtually all the types known in the Late Antique - Early Byzantine period. Unfortunately, we do not have exact information regarding the current location of many of the finds. Now marbles from Chersonesus are kept in various museums. The largest part of them is collected in the State Historical and Architectural Museum-Preserve “Tauric Chersonesus” (Sevastopol). The article is the publication of the collection of Early Byzantine marble products from Chersonesus stored in the State Historical Museum (Moscow). It includes several capitals, fragments of chancel barriers and other elements.
Regional Developments in Late Byzantine Architecture - Skopje
Byzantinoslavica 69/1-2 (2011): 219-266, 2011
The parallel existence of several centers as the generators and recipients of architectural influence in the wider region of Byzantine Macedonia, such as Thessaloniki and Ohrid, obscured the significance of the city of Skopje, which flourished as a short-lived imperial city for almost 50 years (1346-1392). In this paper a number of post-1330 churches from the region of Skopje, F.Y.R. of Macedonia: St. Nicholas in Ljuboten; the Holy Saviour (later the Presentation of the Virgin) in Kuceviste; St. Nicholas in Sisevo; the Assumption of the Virgin in Matejic; St. Demetrios at Markov Manastir, in Susice; Assumption of the Virgin in Matka; St. Andrew on the Treska; and now ruined churches at Devic and Modriste on the Treska -- are grouped because of related stylistic features and proportions. The churches comprise an overlooked paradigmatic building school significant for further understanding of questions of style and building workshops in the regional developments of Late Byzantine architecture (ca. 1261-1453) and, especially after the 1330s, marked by a building decline in Constantinople. Contextualizing this "building school" locates the path of the development of the so-called "Morava School" (ca. 1370s-1459), the final phase of Byzantine architecture, through Skopje.
Survey of an Alternative Byzantine Capital; Nicaea (İznik)
In this study historical survey of the city of Nicaea (İznik) will be given in consideration of the changes in the building typologies, population and topography of the city under different civilizations. Starting with the prehistoric times to Hellenistic, Roman, Byzantine and Ottoman periods of Nicaea will be evaluated in the scope of this historical survey. Nicaea is chosen to study in this paper in virtue of its long and unique history. The findings of life in Nicaea go back to 4000 BC but the foundation of the city of Nicaea is dated to 315 BC, in period of Alexander the Great. Under Bithynians, Roman and Byzantine Empires, Nicaea lived a prosperous life as the second biggest city of the Bithynian state. In Byzantine period, the importance of Nicaea was multiplied with the Ecumanical Councils held at the city; and it became the temporary capital of Byzantine Empire during the invasion of Constantinople by the Latins (Fourt Crusade). After the fall of Nicaea in 1331, Ottoman period began with Orhan I in the city. Unfortunately, from 17th century onwards the city of Nicaea had lost its importance gradually. At the present time, Nicaea is a small town of the city of Bursa (Prusa ad Olympum); still showing off its unique history and is important for the İznik pottery and its cross-cultural background.