In the Middle Ages, imaginative re-use was made of architectural components from classical antiquity such as columns, capitals, cornices, and even statues, sarcophagi, reliefs and inscriptions; the motives ranged from simple utilisation of materials through interpretatio christiana to political legitimation. The author demonstrates how this re-use has been assessed by archaeologists, historians and art historians and what insights they have gained.

Autorentext

Arnold Esch, Klassischer Archäologe und Historiker, ist emeritierter Professor für mittelalterliche Geschichte an der Universität Bern und leitete 19882001 das Deutsche Historische Institut in Rom.