1 - The Absence of Christian Iconography and the Presence of Roman Cult and Culture in the Baptismal Complex of Cuicul, Numidia

Summary

The chapter provides an in-depth examination of the Christian community in Cuicul (now Djémila, Algeria), with a focus on its baptismal complex dating from the late Roman Empire. The study explores the complex’s architectural layout, including a double church and baptistery, as a reflection of the community’s strong Nicene-Catholic identity. It argues that the adoption of Roman imagery, honorary titles, and even a pre-baptismal washing ritual indicates a conscious melding of Roman tradition with Christian practice. This fusion served to deepen the community’s identity, especially against the backdrop of religious dissension during the Donatist conflict. The chapter also raises questions about the limitations of allegorical interpretations of art and architecture, advocating for a nuanced approach that incorporates literal, cultural, and socio-political meanings. It concludes that Cuicul’s Christian community effectively harnessed the unifying power of Roman culture to reinforce its Nicene identity during a period of intense theological strife.