Christian Iconography Adorning Corinthian Capitals in Syria

This article explores the additional decorative elements incorporated by Christians onto Corinthian capitals found in various museums in the Syrian Arab Republic, dating back to the Byzantine era (4th–7th centuries). It outlines the symbolic significance of these elements, tracing their historical...

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Main Author: Ahmad Dawa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Ksiegarnia Akademicka Publishing 2024-12-01
Series:Studies in Ancient Art and Civilization
Subjects:
Online Access:https://journals.akademicka.pl/saac/article/view/6301
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author Ahmad Dawa
author_facet Ahmad Dawa
author_sort Ahmad Dawa
collection DOAJ
description This article explores the additional decorative elements incorporated by Christians onto Corinthian capitals found in various museums in the Syrian Arab Republic, dating back to the Byzantine era (4th–7th centuries). It outlines the symbolic significance of these elements, tracing their historical and religious contexts. The study highlights the diverse forms of crosses present on the capitals, ranging from the equal-armed cross encircled by various frames to Latin crosses and crosses formed by the contiguous folioles of acanthus leaves. Garlands, with various interpretations, emerged in Christian art and are depicted as leafy swags on the Corinthian capitals, featuring different designs. Additionally, the rare representation of grapevines, which held significant importance in Christian symbolism, connects them to biblical narratives and theological concepts. Overall, these elements could aid in dating unidentified Corinthian capitals in the area of study when analyzed alongside other components of the capital.
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institution Kabale University
issn 1899-1548
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language English
publishDate 2024-12-01
publisher Ksiegarnia Akademicka Publishing
record_format Article
series Studies in Ancient Art and Civilization
spelling doaj-art-da3985546e0a4beba9033d10459c11a52025-02-07T15:51:59ZengKsiegarnia Akademicka PublishingStudies in Ancient Art and Civilization1899-15482449-867X2024-12-012810.12797/SAAC.28.2024.28.07Christian Iconography Adorning Corinthian Capitals in SyriaAhmad Dawa0Pázmány Péter Catholic University, Hungary This article explores the additional decorative elements incorporated by Christians onto Corinthian capitals found in various museums in the Syrian Arab Republic, dating back to the Byzantine era (4th–7th centuries). It outlines the symbolic significance of these elements, tracing their historical and religious contexts. The study highlights the diverse forms of crosses present on the capitals, ranging from the equal-armed cross encircled by various frames to Latin crosses and crosses formed by the contiguous folioles of acanthus leaves. Garlands, with various interpretations, emerged in Christian art and are depicted as leafy swags on the Corinthian capitals, featuring different designs. Additionally, the rare representation of grapevines, which held significant importance in Christian symbolism, connects them to biblical narratives and theological concepts. Overall, these elements could aid in dating unidentified Corinthian capitals in the area of study when analyzed alongside other components of the capital. https://journals.akademicka.pl/saac/article/view/6301Corinthian capitalsChristian symbolsCrossGarlandGrapevine
spellingShingle Ahmad Dawa
Christian Iconography Adorning Corinthian Capitals in Syria
Studies in Ancient Art and Civilization
Corinthian capitals
Christian symbols
Cross
Garland
Grapevine
title Christian Iconography Adorning Corinthian Capitals in Syria
title_full Christian Iconography Adorning Corinthian Capitals in Syria
title_fullStr Christian Iconography Adorning Corinthian Capitals in Syria
title_full_unstemmed Christian Iconography Adorning Corinthian Capitals in Syria
title_short Christian Iconography Adorning Corinthian Capitals in Syria
title_sort christian iconography adorning corinthian capitals in syria
topic Corinthian capitals
Christian symbols
Cross
Garland
Grapevine
url https://journals.akademicka.pl/saac/article/view/6301
work_keys_str_mv AT ahmaddawa christianiconographyadorningcorinthiancapitalsinsyria