Romanesque Architecture and Art Essay

The introduction of Christianity into the Roman Empire made many roman citizens into pacifists. This made it increasingly difficult to defend against the increasing number of barbarian attacks. There was a rise in political corruption, inflation, urban decay, unemployment and military spending. Public health was an issue with many of the population suffering uninterrupted strain of disease. Alcoholism increased as well adding to the incompetency of the general public. The Roman Empire stopped conquering other civilizations and adapting their technology, and instead began losing territory they could not longer maintain with their legions.
In 500ad the Roman Empire fell into ruins due to these various contributors. Europe plunged into the Dark Ages. The beauty and finesse of the Roman Empire was forgotten about. Little is known about these ages however we do know that they were a time of the greatest poverty, ignorance, oppression and superstition. There was a Fragmentation of authority. The only widespread European institution was the corrupted Christian Church.
The approach of the year 1000ad brought with it panic. The highly influential Catholic Church led many to believe that the coming of the Anti-Christ and the end of the world was imminent. When this did not happen people believed that god had saved them from such a fate. There was a desire for change and renewal to honor God.
Looking back at the elegance and splendour of Roman Architecture and Art, they began to build magnificent churches and monasteries as homage to God and also as a demonstration of the power and resilience of the church. This was the birth of Romanesque Architecture and Art. The term “Romanesque” meaning descended from Roman, was first coined in 1818 by Charles Alexis Adrien.
Romanesque architecture incorporated many of the features of Roman Architecture. These include round arches, stone materials and the basilica style plan. However there are influences inspired from Islamic,...