From my History of Architecture Notes - Byzantine Architecture

Byzantine Architecture originated chiefly in Constantinople, the ancient Greek town of Byzantium. Byzantine Architecture rose in response to needs of the Eastern, or Orthodox Church. They preferred a more contemplative form of popular worship focused on the veneration of icons. These were portraits of sacred personages - frontal view in a highly conceptual and stylized manner. Pictorial representation in form of wall painting or mosaics served as icon, it generally took the form of a small painted panel. The style developed through three distinct periods; Early, Middle (Macedonian Renaissance) and Comnenian period.

This post contains in brief the architectural order that evolved during the Byzantine Architectural Period. It has notes on the development of the churches, their plans, the decorative character, use of mosaics as materials, the construction technology and so on.

Page 01 Byzantine Architecture

Page 02 Byzantine Architecture (contd.)

Below is an additional note on Byzantine Architecture that I found from my files. Have added it for further reference.

Byzantine Architecture 

Hope you find the notes useful.

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From my History of Architecture Notes - Early Christian Architecture

This post contains notes on Early Christian Architecture, the influences on the architectural styles, how the churches, and the burial tombs evolved in that era.

Early Christian Architecture

Early Christian Architecture developments can be said between the periods of the 3rd and 7th Centuries. The period overlaps with the Late Roman Architecture and first three centuries of the Byzantine period. Early Christian Architecture flourished throughout the empire on a monumental scale. Buildings were of two types - the longitudinal hall - Basilica and the centralized building - Baptistry or Mausoleum. 

Central and longitudinal spaces were characteristics of the Roman architecture. The basilica was symbolic of the directed character of human action. These forms were taken over by the Early Christian Architecture and the plan of early churches synthesizes the longitudinal and centralized character. 

Page 01 Early Christian Architecture -
Architectural Character

Page 02 Early Christian Architecture -
Influences on Church Architecture

Page 03 Early Christian Architecture -
Church and tombs

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