Early Christian and Byzantine is one of a series of books which attempts to describe the social, political, religious and intellectual climate of a period as well as the genesis and attainments of its art and architecture.;The greatness of Byzantine art - including architecture, sculpture, panel paintings, book illuminations, as well as icons, mosaics and cloisonne work is now being assessed at its true worth and is known to have made a powerful impression on the West. This study shows how the two halves of the Roman Empire, the Christians in Rome and the Orthodox Christians in the East, adapted the art of classical antiquity to new conditions.