St. Peter’s Basilica as Templum Dei: The Continuation of the Ancient Near Eastern Temple Tradition in the Christian Cathedral

Authors

Rachel Ann Seely, Brigham Young University
Dr. William Hamblin, Brigham Young University

Keywords

St. Peter's Basilica, Rome, Templum Dei, Templum Vaticani, temple tradition, Christian cathedral

College

Family, Home, and Social Sciences

Department

History

Abstract

Inscribed on the entrance to St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome is the inscription Templum Vaticani (Latin for Temple of the Vatican). Upon entering St. Peter’s one can see many reflections of Solomon’s Temple in the architecture and orientation of the building. Even more striking are the similarities between the political and religious roles of St. Peter’s Basilica and those of an ancient Near Eastern temple. John M. Lundquist has developed a typology of elements that permeate temple traditions throughout the ancient Near East.1 Basing my research on this typology I set out to study Christian holy space, specifically the early structures of St. Peter’s Basilica. My hypothesis was that the holy space of the ancient Near East was related in specific ways to Christian holy space. I found my hypothesis to be true. The Christian Cathedral, like the ancient Near Eastern temple is a central, organizing, unifying institution in society; is associated with the realm of the dead; is interrelated to the law; and both the temple and cathedral play a legitimizing political role.

Recommended Citation

Seely, Rachel Ann and Hamblin, Dr. William (2013) "St. Peter’s Basilica as Templum Dei: The Continuation of the Ancient Near Eastern Temple Tradition in the Christian Cathedral," Journal of Undergraduate Research: Vol. 2013: Iss. 1, Article 285.
Available at: https://scholarsarchive.byu.edu/jur/vol2013/iss1/285