Why were the early Christians of Byzantium not interested in creating realistic art works like the Romans?

Answer 1

Lots of reasons. The main reason was that the skills, technique, and ability to create what Rome did was lost as Rome crumbled in economic ruin and barbarian invasion. A secondary reason, however, has to do with their religion. Christianity was the intellectual king of the period, and Christianity focuses less on humanity, nature, and the beauty of THIS world, and focuses more on the next world, thus art became more symbolic and less realistic. One final reason has to do with the Roman image. Rome was seen as a corrupt, failure of a civilization that basically destroyed itself with gluttony, debauchery, and self-serving behavior. The art work of the Romans was seen as a symbol of this. Many early Christians and Byzantines wanted to avoid this, and thus they avoided the art work.

Answer 2

per possibility for a similar reason Muslims have been offended & indignant on the Danish cartoons. i comprehend in Byzantium, there became a controversy approximately photographs & icons that lasted for some years. It referred to as iconoclasm.