The basilica
Ιn the early 10th century a small three-nave
basilica was founded on the ruins of a Justinian
cistern in the
citadel of Rentina. To date only the wall foundations and fragments of the
decorations have been studied. According to a citation in Novel 16 by Emperor
Leo VI the Wise, the church was the seat of the Bishop of Lete and Rentina.
Building remains that may have belonged to the episcopal residence were brought
to light to the north-west of the church. Other finds include a one-storey storage
magazine to the south-west, which housed the oldest covered water tank in the
citadel.
Three tripartite arches projected from the east wall
of the church. The largest central arch was dressed at a later date, probably
for support. The naves were separated by arches supported on piers or a
combination of piers and columns; it also appears that the initial plan
included galleries. The church walls were made of small stones and mud plastered
on the outside. Several tombs have been excavated beneath the aisle floors and
outside the church up to the north end of the citadel wall.
An earthquake provoked irreparable damage to the
church in the 13th century, initially causing the wall paintings to collapse,
followed over time by other parts of the church. However, burials continued
inside the church until the roof collapsed completely, as is evident from 14th
century coins found both inside and outside the tombs.
Glossary (6)
basilica:
type of large church, divided internally into three or more naves. The central nave was usually covered by a raised roof with windows that illuminated the space.
Justinian period:
the reign of Emperor Justinian (527 -565).
cistern:
reservoir for collecting water. Usually rectangular in shape and roofed with arches.
piers or pillars:
supports of square or rectangular cross-section. They are usually freestanding (not attached to a wall), made of built masonry.
column:
cylindrical, vertical support. Their use started in antiquity and was subsequently adopted by Byzantine churches. Columns from ancient temples were often incorporated into Christian churches. Byzantine examples are usually marble, monolithic and unfluted.
gallery or tribune:
upper story of a church above the side naves and the narthex.
Information Texts (1)
Leo VI :
Byzantine Emperor
from 886 to 912. Leo was also known as the Wise or the Philosopher on account
of being highly cultivated. He distinguished himself as an accomplished writer
and enthusiastic orator, writing poems, speeches and a military textbook, the Taktika. As emperor he attempted to
restore order to internal political life in the empire. His foreign policy might
be regarded as a failure, since during his reign Byzantium lost many provinces, while large
cities such as Thessaloniki
and the capital were besieged and plundered. He married four times in order to
produce a male heir, thus incurring the disapproval of the church; in order to
obtain permission for his fourth marriage he appointed Euthumios to the patriarchy
in place of Nicholas Mystikos, who was against him. Amid stormy protests he eventually
married Zoë Karvounopsena, who gave birth to the future emperor Constantine VII
Porphyrogenitus.
Bibliography (3)
1. Μουτσόπουλος Ν., Ο βυζαντινός οικισμός της Ρεντίνας, 1996
2. Μουτσόπουλος Ν., Ρεντίνα ΙV. Οι εκκλησίες του βυζαντινού οικισμού, Athens, 2001
3. Μουτσόπουλος Ν., Κοσμική αρχιτεκτονική στα Βαλκάνια 1300-1500 και η διατήρησή της, Thessaloniki, 1997
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