Amanda

** Byzantine Art by Amanda Traylor **

**I selected the dome of Hagia Sophia because I found it's shape and design very different from any of the other piece of arcitecture in the Byzantine art design and elements. Also I found it interesting that the dome is still used in several of the world's greatest buildings today. The dome makes the building look very compelling and I think that was important in the time of the Byzanitine Empire beacuse Justinian wanted create the Hagia Sophia as an embodiment of imperial power and Christian glory.

The dome of the Hagia Sophia is representative of the Byzantine Empire because during that time Justinian wanted the church to represent Christianity. The dome provided a canopy of sunlight for preists and ministers to assemble there and celebrate the Eucharist. Another way it is representative is how some said that the gigantice dome seemed to be suspened on "golden chain from Heaven." This was siginificant because throughout that time Christianity was being spread and the Hagia Sophia was constructed to represent that.

During Justinian's reign several of his remains of his constructions are still here with the exception of the Hagia Sophia. Where the Hagia Sophia is now used to be a church that was set on fire by riots caused by Justinian's political foes. His reconstruction of the Hagia Sophia lasted the longest and is still around today with it's unique and magnificent design. The present Hagia Sophia was built within five years and is 33 meters across and 55 meters above ground.

works cited book- __Art History Revised Edition Volume One__. author- Marilyn Stokstad http://atheism.about.com/library/FAQs/christian/blxtn_constan-hagia10.htm Constantinople- Hagia Sophia Dome System**