The Idea of Progress

Abstract

Those passages in the chronicles written between the 8th and the 14th century which treat of the restoration, rebuilding or building of monasteries and churches, show a rather stereotype use of adjectives in the comparative to denote everything that is newer (later in time) as better, finer, larger, wider and lighter. In connection with a rebuilding or an enlargement the older building is mostly referred to as dark and narrow while the newer building is called spacious and light. The renovation is often said to have become necessary owing to the increasing number of faithful and monks. In the Roman Liber Pontificalis this seems a diplomatic way of avoiding a ruthless picture of the work executed at the time of earlier popes as antiquated and useless. In connection with building activities during the pontificate of Leo III (795–816) the Liber Pontificalis mentions around the beginning of the 9th century that this pope altered a baptistery which due to old age had become rather ramshackle and which was too narrow for people attending the baptism, by rebuilding it from its foundations, making it more spacious and wider, altogether a better condition (than before) while he also widened the basin in the middle. (A166)