The Early Christian painting is primarily the painting of the Mediterranean peoples. Thus, this volume includes the most significant monuments of the area dating up to the first quarter of the 8th century, as well as some that are outside the boundaries of the empire, in order to highlight the trends in painting as they had developed during the pre-iconoclastic period.

About a hundred years before the recognition of Christianity as equal to other religions, painting had begun to show its first examples in tombs and catacombs. However, from the fourth century onwards, there was a rapid development in painting that produced wonderful works in frescoes and mosaics.

The book is primarily structured into four Parts. In Part A, which is preceded by an Introduction analyzing the factors that contributed to the formation of Early Christian painting, the frescoes of catacombs and tombs, as well as the frescoes of prayer houses and temples of the East and West, are examined. Part B examines mosaics of the East and West, Part C covers portable icons, and Part D focuses on illuminated manuscripts.

In the concise related texts, accompanied by ample color images for the complete documentation of the examined subjects, the most important iconographic problems related to theological issues are discussed where deemed necessary. At the same time, the technique of the artworks is discussed and placed within the broader trends prevailing during the contemporary era.

Together with the rich bibliography accompanying the texts, we believe that readers, especially our students, will be able to make the necessary comparisons and ultimately position themselves critically regarding what is written in the book, expressing, where possible, their own opinions. These elements will assist the author in the future revision of some of his views.