Makers, Methods, and Materials

Early Christian architecture inherited a well-established building industry and followed in the tradition of Roman architecture, as defined by Vitruvius in the first century BCE. Architects were identified by title as mechanikos or architekton, indicating their level of training. With the official acceptance of Christianity, the emperor or the state took a leading role in patronage. Documents mention project supervisors, government overseers, and accountants, as well as skilled and unskilled laborers.