From house to cathedral: a clear, scholarly tour of Rome’s Christian past
This guide traces how early Christians worshipped in homes, moved into cemeteries and catacombs, and eventually built the great churches we see in Rome today. It explains how faith, art, and architecture shaped the city’s sacred spaces.
Structured for quick reference, the book walks you through the birth of the church in private rooms, the evolution of worship in catacombs, and the later development of city churches. It also covers important sites, from early diaconate churches to later basilicas, and the art and symbols that illuminate this history. The approach is practical and grounded in the material remains that tell the story of Christian Rome.
- How early Christians gathered in houses and catacombs, and what those spaces meant for worship
- The progression from private rooms to public churches and the architectural shapes that defined them
- Key sites, practices, and elements of Christian art and liturgical space in Rome
- How archaeology and inscriptions reveal the daily life of Rome’s churches across eras
Ideal for readers seeking a solid, accessible overview of Rome’s Christian and ecclesiastical heritage, from the earliest communities to later basilicas.