September 4, 476. This date marks the fall of the Roman Empire, one of the most renowned periods in history where a country fell into near chaos. On this day, a barbarian by the name of Odoacer overthrew the Roman emperor Romulus Augustus from his political position. However, there were many other contributing factors leading to the decline of the Roman Empire including the increasing influence of Christianity on society. When first introduced, Christianity was not accepted among the empire. It wasn’t until 380 when Christianity was declared the official religion of the Roman Empire by the present emperor, Constantine I. Initially, the religion was strictly governed by the emperor, but over time church leaders became prominent figures, dictating the religious views to the public. Due to this movement, the power the emperor had on Romans decreased, diminishing the structure and within the state. In turn, chaos ensued and societal stability was lost.
Years later, in 524, a set of guidelines were written by St. Benedict, who was compelled to create these rules upon acknowledging the growing corruption of Rome’s society. These rules were meant to enforce stability and order and apply them to aid in lessening the turmoil that was plaguing society.
In the 700s, the plan of the monastery of St. Gall was drawn, one of the most prominent architectural drafts of the medieval era. The monastery of St. Gall was an ideal plan, not intended to be built but as a way for the abbot to contemplate the importance of a monastic life. Essentially, the plan was an embodiment of the Benedictine rules which controlled the life of the monks from the time they wake up to the time where they wash their feet and go to bed. There was little room from error considering how restricted their daily schedules were.
The three volume series centered on the plan of St. Gall was initially published in 1979, first beginning research within the two decades prior. But why after all these years was this subject suddenly brought to light? Was there a reason for the authors, Walter Horn and Ernest Born, to look back to the plan and heavily document its contents? The Vietnam was between the anti-communists and the communists began in 1959, around the time research was being conducted for the plan. The world was suffering the destruction caused by war and perhaps searching the plan was in response to the current events of the time where parts of the world were thrown into disorder and there needed to be a reference to steady society.
Similarly, Corbusier, who based his personal retreat Le Cabanon on Cistercian cells could have had similar views on the existing problems throughout the world and created this cabin based on how he would go about bringing order and stability. Le Cabanon, like St. Gall, was focused on minimal habitation and how one could live with the bare essentials. The house was constructed in 1952, in the midst of the Cold War which occurred from 1941 to 1991. Maybe this study was Corbusier’s way of attempting to create a guideline for people in his time to refer to, much like Horn and Born looked for help in the Plan of St. Gall.
Based on the events that occurred during these periods, it is evident that these individuals felt the need to look back for a reference to help stabilize their society in desperate times.
-Lauren Tom
Image Sources:
1. "Ancient Mosaics." http://www.classicalmosaics.com/photo_album.htm (accessed Jan 17, 2010).
2. "The Cukierski Family Apostulate." http://www.cukierski.net/saintbenedict.shtml (accessed Jan 17, 2010).
Information Sources:
"Ancient/Classical History." http://ancienthistory.about.com/cs/romefallarticles/a/fallofrome.htm (accessed Jan 17, 2010).
Bokern, Anneke. "Garden Shed a la Le Corbusier." April 4, 2009.http://www.stylepark.com/en/news/garden-shed-a-la-le-corbusier/291381 (accessed January 12, 2010).
"Fall of Rome - Why Did Rome Fall?." http://www.historyworld.net/wrldhis/PlainTextHistories.asp?groupid=710&HistoryID=ac58>rack=pthc (accessed Jan 17, 2010).
"Military: Cold War." http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/cold_war.htm (accessed January 17, 2010).
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