Some of the earliest Christian art that we know about was found in the catacombs of Rome. Why were the symbols that we commonly associate with Christianity today, such as the cross, NOT represented in this artwork? (1 point)
Artists did not yet know religious stories involving a cross existed.
The cross was more explicitly Christian than other ambiguous symbols.
It was illegal to create overtly religious symbols in areas such as the catacombs.
The only representations of Christianity allowed in the catacombs were a fish and an anchor.
1 answer
The cross was not represented in this early Christian art because at that time, the cross was not yet a distinct symbol of Christianity. The fish and anchor were used instead as symbols that were less overtly Christian and could be easily integrated into the art without attracting unwanted attention or persecution.
1 answer