... These factors led to the establishment of three separate styles of Early Christian Art- that in Rome, Byzantine art and architecture in Constantinople and Ravenna, and Celtic Art in North-West Europe. Characteristics of Early Christian 300-750 AD * Early Christian art isn't realistic and doesn't try to represent reality as is. * The basilican plan was used for Churches. The basilica would originally have been designed for Roman secular buildings. It now had a nave and side aisles, apsidal chapels and a crossing created by transepts. * They had extensive wall space, which was decorated by mosaics and frescos. * The roofs were made of concrete instead of wood * It also used the tripartite plan. The light from the clerestory illuminated the basilican Church. * Early Christians also developed the centralised building, which were circular or polygonal. * The centralised building was used (among other things) for baptisteries. ...

See this essay or coursework document in full right now