Living Water: Images, Symbols, and Settings of Early Christian Baptism (Supplements to Vigiliae Christianae: Texts and Studies of Early Christian Life and Language)

Contents......Page 8
List of Illustrations......Page 12
Abbreviations......Page 18
Foreword......Page 26
Introduction......Page 28
Introduction: Evidence and Method......Page 32
1.1. Early Christian Painting......Page 36
1.1.1. Catacomb of Callixtus......Page 39
1.1.2. Catacomb of Domitilla......Page 43
1.1.3. Catacomb of Peter and Marcellinus......Page 44
1.1.4. The Catacomb of St. Ermete (Bassilla)......Page 52
1.2.1. Identification of the Scenes and the Figures......Page 53
1.2.2. Contextual and Programmatic Analysis......Page 56
1.2.3. Ancient Prayer for the Dead as Iconographic Source......Page 58
1.2.4. Typological Interpretation of Scripture as Iconographic Source......Page 60
Conclusion......Page 67
Introduction: Early Christian Sarcophagi......Page 70
2.1. Iconography of Early Christian Sarcophagi......Page 71
2.1.1. Italian Sarcophagi......Page 73
2.1.2. Gallican and Spanish Sarcophagi......Page 89
2.1.3. Marble Grave Marker from Aquileia......Page 98
2.2.1. The Third figure in the Baptism Scene......Page 102
2.2.2. Moses/Peter Striking the Rock......Page 103
2.2.3. Jesus’ Foot Washing and Pilate’s Hand Washing......Page 105
Conclusion......Page 108
Introduction: Transformation of Christian Visual Art in theFourth and Fifth Centuries......Page 112
3.1. Baptismal Iconography in Non-Funerary Art......Page 114
3.1.1. Minor Arts: Ivories......Page 117
3.1.2. Minor Arts: Glass......Page 133
3.1.3. Mosaics......Page 135
3.2.1. The Dove’s Beak as Source of Holy Water, Oil, or Breath......Page 139
3.2.2. Attendant Angel(s)......Page 142
3.2.3. Personification of the Jordan River......Page 144
3.2.4 Christological Implications of the Orthodox and Arian BaptisteryIconography......Page 150
Conclusion......Page 152
Introduction: Intersections of Image and Text......Page 154
4.1. Baptismal Settings: Outdoor Versus Indoor Spaces......Page 156
4.2.1. Importance of Flowing or “Living” Water......Page 159
4.2.2. Water’s Sanctification......Page 161
4.2.3. Baptism by Immersion, Affusion, or Aspersion......Page 163
4.2.4. Vessels for Administering Baptismal Water......Page 169
4.3.1. Recipients......Page 170
4.3.2. Administrators......Page 176
4.3.3. Presbyters and Deacons......Page 178
4.3.4. Deaconesses......Page 180
4.3.5. Sponsors and Witnesses......Page 183
4.4. Nakedness and Clothing......Page 185
4.4.1. Nudity and Modesty; Christians and the Public Baths......Page 186
4.4.2. The Practice of Nude Baptism......Page 189
4.4.3. Segregations of the Sexes......Page 191
4.4.4. Nakedness as Symbolic......Page 193
4.4.5. Re-Robing in White Garments......Page 195
4.5.1. Imposition of Hands......Page 198
4.5.2. The Dove......Page 202
Conclusion......Page 204
Introduction......Page 206
5.1. Purpose Built Baptisteries......Page 207
5.1.1. The Dura Europos Baptistery......Page 209
5.1.2. Baptisteries in Italy......Page 211
5.1.3. Baptisteries at Primuliacum (Gaul) According to Paulinus of Nola......Page 236
5.1.4. Baptisteries in North Africa......Page 237
5.2. Discussion: Taxonomy of Structures, Font Shapes, and Placement......Page 249
5.2.1. Attached Versus Freestanding Baptisteries; Placement Relativeto Basilica Hall......Page 250
5.2.2. Baptistery Design......Page 251
5.2.3. Shapes and Depths of Fonts......Page 252
5.2.4. Ciboria, Footbaths, Water Systems, and Drains......Page 256
Conclusion......Page 257
Introduction: Visual Symbols and Ritual Actions......Page 260
6.1.1. Baths......Page 261
6.1.2. Mausolea......Page 264
6.2.1. The Octagon......Page 271
6.2.3. The Font as Womb......Page 274
6.3. Decorative Motifs......Page 278
6.3.1. Deer Coming to Water......Page 279
6.3.2. The Shepherd and His Flock......Page 281
6.3.3. Fishers and Fish......Page 285
6.3.4. Christ Giving the Law (Traditio Legis)......Page 289
6.3.5. Candles and Lamps......Page 291
6.3.6. Noah’s Ark......Page 294
6.3.7. Starry Sky......Page 296
6.3.8. Fruit-Bearing Trees......Page 297
6.3.9. Cross and Christogram......Page 298
6.3.10. Birds: Doves, Peacocks, and Phoenix......Page 300
6.3.11. Apostolic Procession, Saints, and Crowns......Page 303
6.3.12. New Testament Scenes......Page 304
Conclusion......Page 307
Bibliography......Page 310
Index......Page 326