Christ representations in early Christian Catacombs : Rome and Egypt

الملخص EN

This paper will cover the era extend from the first to the fourth centuries A.

D.

That period had witnessed the eventual transformation from Roman persecutions to the official recognition of the Christianity, particularly in the major capitals; Rome and Egypt.

It is worth mentioning that most of the catacombs are found in Rome where their number nearly sixty, while the same number can be counted in Latium.

In Italy, the catacombs developed especially in the south where the soil consistency is harder but at the same time more ductile for excavation, while the case in Egypt was totally different as the existence of the catacombs was very rare.

It can be argued that the “catacomb art” which represent the very early features of Christian art, was completely symbolic.

The artist tended to adapt Old Testament themes like Noah in the Ark, Daniel in the Lion Den, Adam Eve and Good Shepherd… in order to refer to Christ especially during the time of the persecutions until he represented him in a direct way, so the research will shed light on the most important Christ's representations.