Old Saint Peter's, Rome
Old Saint Peter's, Rome
John Osborne, Carleton University, Ottawa
Carol M. Richardson, University of Edinburgh
Joanna Story, University of Leicester
St Peter's Basilica in Rome is arguably the most important church in Western Christendom, and is among the most significant buildings anywhere in the world. However, the church that is visible today is a youthful upstart, only four hundred years old compared to the twelve-hundred-year-old church whose site it occupies. A very small proportion of the original is now extant, entirely covered over by the new basilica, but enough survives to make reconstruction of the first St Peter's possible and much new evidence has been uncovered in the past thirty years. This is the first full study of the older church, from its late antique construction to Renaissance destruction, in its historical context. An international team of historians, art historians, archaeologists and liturgists explores aspects of the basilica's history, from its physical fabric to the activities that took place within its walls and its relationship with the city of Rome.
- The first full study of the original church on the site of St Peter's Basilica in Rome, from late antique construction to Renaissance destruction
- Takes full account of the new evidence accruing as a result of the consolidation, conservation and ongoing exploration of the present basilica and its surroundings, particularly in the last thirty years
- Includes contributions from specialists in history, art history, archaeology and liturgy
Reviews & endorsements
'… impressive and interesting …' The Times Literary Supplement
'Although this book has been written for experts, it will not fail those who are eager to know more about the first church of Christendom.' The Art Newspaper
'This elegantly conceived volume adds considerably to our knowledge and understanding of one of the most remarkable buildings to have been constructed over the last two millennia … the book amply and illuminatingly demonstrates that an old and long-vanished building can still remain a powerful resource for historical research of the highest significance.' David Hemsoll, History Today
'… splendid and lavishly illustrated …' Timothy D. Barnes, Expository Times
'… an essential reference tool … illuminating observations … the production of the volume is highly commendable, with maps that will make it a pleasure to use this work for research and teaching purposes.' Richard Westall, The Classical Review
'Together they have created an impressive book that sports nearly 130 illustrations, images and plates. Most of the contributions start out with a detail of the modern plan of St Peter's, showing the most important places in the church that the following pages proceed to deal with, which is very helpful. The special highlight is the (approximately) 62x48 cm (or a little more than 2x1.5 ft!) fold-out facsimile of Tiberio Alfarano's plan of Old St Peter's shown in the relationship to the new basilica from 1590. This alone is great to have; albeit admittedly relatively modern, it shows many locations in the old church.' Clemens Gantner, Early Medieval Europe
Product details
January 2019Paperback
9781108730044
522 pages
245 × 189 × 25 mm
0.101kg
103 b/w illus. 16 colour illus. 3 tables
Available
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Table of Contents
- Introduction
- 1. St Peter's and the city of Rome between Late Antiquity and the early Middle Ages Paolo Liverani
- 2. From Constantine to Constans: the chronology of the construction of St Peter's Basilica Richard Gem
- 3. Spolia in the fourth-century basilica Lex Bosman
- 4. The early Christian Baptistery of St Peter's Olof Brandt
- 5. The representation of Old St Peter's Basilica in the Liber Pontificalis Rosamond McKitterick
- 6. The Mausoleum of Honorius: late Roman imperial Christianity and the city of Rome in the fifth century Meaghan McEvoy
- 7. Popes, emperors and clergy at Old St Peter's from the fourth to the eighth century Alan Thacker
- 8. The Roman liturgical year and the early liturgy of St Peter's Peter Jeffery
- 9. Interactions between liturgy and politics in Old St Peter's, 670–741: John the Archcantor, Sergius I and Gregory III Éamonn Ó Carragáin
- 10. A reconstruction of the Oratory of John VII (705–707) Antonella Ballardini and Paola Pogliani
- 11. Old St Peter's and the Iconoclastic Controversy Charles McClendon
- 12. The Veronica, the Vultus Christi, and the veneration of icons in medieval Rome Ann van Dijk
- 13. The Carolingians and the Oratory of Saint Peter the Shepherd Joanna Story
- 14. Plus Caesare Petrus: the Vatican Obelisk and the approach to St Peter's John Osborne
- 15. The legendary of St Peter's Basilica: hagiographic traditions and innovations in the late eleventh century Carmela Vircillo Franklin
- 16. The stucco crucifix of Saint Peter's reconsidered: textual sources and visual evidence for the Renaissance copy of a medieval silver crucifix Katharina Christa Schüppel
- 17. St Peter's in the fifteenth century: Paul II, the archpriests and the case for continuity Carol M. Richardson
- 18. Filarete's renovation of the Porta Argentea at Old St Peter's Robert Glass
- 19. The altar of Saint Maurice and the invention of tradition in Saint Peter's Catherine Fletcher
- Epilogue. A hybrid history: the antique basilica with a modern dome Bram Kempers
- Appendix. Letter of the Canons of St Peter's to Paul V concerning the demolition of the old basilica, 1605 Carol M. Richardson and Joanna Story.
