The Round Church at Scythopolis: How Buildings Show Power

Full disclosure: This post was created using AI (Claude 4.5 Sonnet) to sythesize my original research paper

I thought it might be nice to highlight some of the research that I have done throughout my masters. These papers are the beginning of my writing and research. Even though they are not published, I wanted to share my ideas and writing with you all.

What Questions Did I Ask?

I wanted to understand how the Byzantine Empire used church buildings to show their power and control. Specifically, I asked:

• How did the Byzantine Empire display its symbolic power in the eastern part of their territory?

• Does the location of church buildings matter when understanding how the empire influenced people?

• What can the Round Church at Scythopolis (an ancient city also called Beth She'an) tell us about how religion and government worked together?

  
  

  

How Did I Study This?

I used several methods to answer my questions:

1. Archaeological Evidence: I looked at findings from excavations done by earlier archaeologists like Fitzgerald in the 1930s and later teams led by Tsafrir and Foerster. These digs uncovered the remains of the Round Church and other buildings.

2. Architectural Analysis: I studied the church's design, including calculating whether it could have supported a dome on top. Using measurements and engineering formulas, I figured out the dome was structurally possible.

3. Theoretical Framework: I applied Pierre Bourdieu's theory of "symbolic power"—the idea that governments use buildings and monuments to influence how people think and to show who's in charge.

4. Historical Context: I examined what was happening in Scythopolis during the Byzantine period (around the 6th century CE), when it became the capital of a province called Palestina Secunda.

   
   

What Did I Discover?

Location Matters The Round Church was built on top of the acropolis—the highest point in the city. This spot used to hold Greek and Roman temples. By placing a Christian church there, the Byzantine Empire was making a statement: "We're in charge now, and Christianity is the official religion."

The Dome Was Real Through my careful calculations, I proved the Round Church could have supported a large dome. This dome would have been visible from far away, making the church impossible to miss. Anyone approaching the city would see it and understand the empire's power.

Buildings as Symbols The church wasn't just a place to worship—it was a tool for showing power. The fancy decorations (colored glass pieces and mosaic floors found at the site) and the commanding location helped the government control social space and build up their influence.

Religion + Government = Power By the 6th century, religious power and government power were completely connected. The Round Church shows how the Byzantine Empire used Christianity to define their territory and remind everyone who was in control.

Why Does My Research Matter?

My research helps us understand that ancient buildings weren't just functional—they were carefully designed to send messages about power, identity, and control. The Round Church at Scythopolis is a perfect example of how architecture can be used as a form of communication and influence. This church fits well within the context of the Justuan expamsion and codification of the Byzantine Empire.