Old Saint Peter's, Rome
21,000+ Reviews
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Description
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.
Product Details
Price
$170.50
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Publish Date
January 13, 2014
Pages
512
Dimensions
7.2 X 9.8 X 1.2 inches | 2.65 pounds
Language
English
Type
Hardcover
EAN/UPC
9781107041646
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About the Author
John Osborne is Professor of Art History at Carleton University, Ottawa. He is a medievalist and cultural historian who has published widely on the art and architecture of Rome and Venice between the third and sixteenth centuries.
Carol M. Richardson is Lecturer in Art History at the Open University and Associate Dean (Curriculum and Awards) for the University's Faculty of Arts. She is the author of Reclaiming Rome: Cardinals in the Early Renaissance (1400-1480) (2007).
Rosamond McKitterick is Professor of Medieval History at the University of Cambridge and a Fellow of Sidney Sussex College. Her previous publications include History and Memory in the Carolingian World (Cambridge University Press, 2004), Perceptions of the Past in the Early Middle Ages (2006) and Charlemagne: The Formation of a European Identity (Cambridge University Press, 2008).
Joanna Story is Professor of Early Medieval History at the University of Leicester, specialising in interdisciplinary research into the history and archaeology of Europe in the age of Charlemagne. She has published widely on the contacts between Anglo-Saxon England and the Continent at this time, focusing especially on manuscripts and inscriptions, and the links between England and Rome.
Reviews
'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
'... impressive and interesting ...' The Times Literary Supplement
'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
"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
'... impressive and interesting ...' The Times Literary Supplement
'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
"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
