The Basilica Apostolorum: success and failure of the early Christian ambulatory basilica

The paper examines the Basilica Apostolorum on the Appian Way, one of the earliest ambulatory basilicas in Rome, and contextualises its development and decline. The analysis challenges traditional attributions to imperial patronage, suggesting instead an episcopal initiative led by Pope Miltiades and completed by a private benefactor. This distinction highlights the role of the early Christian church in architectural innovation shortly after Constantine’s conversion. Ambulatory basilicas were designed primarily for funerary purposes, with burials accommodated within the nave, aisles and ambulatory. This type of architecture flourished briefly in the 4th century, with six known examples in the suburban belt of Rome. However, its decline must be attributed to the rapid depletion of burial space, high construction and maintenance costs, and a shift in Christian liturgical emphasis. The research highlights the importance of the basilica as a response to emerging Christian funerary practices, bridging traditional catacomb burials and monumental public spaces. It also reassesses Constantine’s motivations for supporting suburban basilicas, emphasising practical urban considerations over religious sensitivities. Despite its initial success, the ambulatory basilica type was abandoned in favour of more sustainable and liturgically adaptable designs, leaving a profound but short-lived impact on early Christian architecture.