WING OF THE BYZANTINE ART

Introduction :

In the Byzantine period, Syria significant contribution on the various aspects of civilization such as literature, music, architecture ,sculpture , painting ,crafts and commercial exchange. Consequently, some centres of intellectual activity, science and literature came into existence at Antioch, Apamea, Edessa, Nasibin, Emesa (Homs), and Damascus. For eight centuries, Antioch remained famous as a centre of intellect. Luster was added to it by the brilliant achievement of some men of thought. Chief among whom were John the golden mouth (347-407) and the poet St. Isaac of Antioch . Edessa was also known as one of the oldest and most important intellectual centres to the extent that is was named Athens of the Aramaic world. Here Syriac was first used for literary purposes. At that time, the national feeling grew stronger and dare face the Greek trend. It became necessary, therefore to return to the Aramaic-Arabic as an expression of national awakening.

The school of Edessa flourished until 489 AD., when it was totally destroyed by the order of the emperor Zeno (474 — 476). The professors then moved to Nasibin which became heir of Edessa as a centre of learning. Pre-eminent among the giants of thought in this period are St. Euphraim the Syrian, St. Isaac al-Amadi, St. Simon al-as - Srouji and Philoxenos. Sergius of Ras-el-Ain was famous for his works in philosophy, medicine and astronomy and for his translation of the works of Galien. The credit also goes to Berdesan 155 — 223 who had established the basis for the religious hymns and who introduced music to the church. There is also Rabula of Riha who by his Syriac Gospel dated 586, ornamented with beautiful miniatures and notably bearing the first-ever known portraits of the evangelists. More over, the religious portraits became popular as advised by St. Basil 329 — 379: " Honouring of the images will make us approach their owners." At that time, the Christian art began to have its proper symbols: The pigeon represents the liberal spirit from the prison of the body, the palm represents victory, the olive-branch represents peace. The fish was the symbol of Christ because the letters which make the word fish in Greek respectively stand for "Jesus Christ, son of God, the Saviour ".

The Christian art however, was free from the traditional forms. It was more an expression of the religious thought. The Christian artists considered in fact, that their mission was to propagate the doctrines by image. It is worthy to mention that they did not generally sign their works. That is why these master pieces remain anonymous so that the artists could prove their self abnegation and their indifference to fame.

The antiquities displayed in this wing give the visitor an idea of the contribution of Syria to the creation of the Christian art and its development. This wing consists of four halls. The Hall of Artistic Works, the Hall of Jewels and Coins, the Hall of Syriac Manuscripts and the Hall of the Palmyrene and Coptic textiles.

See also : The Byzantine Syria