What are the unique features of Byzantine art and architecture?

The
art and architecture of the East Romans span over a thousand years. Some unique features include
the dematerialization of capitals and the cushions above capitals that support the architrave.
These move away from previous Classical Greek and Roman orders (Tuscan, Doric, Corinthian,
Ionic, and Composite). These marble or stone basket capitals have overall lace-like geometric or
vegetal patterns, as do the cushions above them.

Although the classical
Romans had used marble revetments, the East Romans of late antiquity made even greater use of
lavish figured and brightly colored marbles as wall coverings combined with rich gold and
colored mosaics and frescoes in the vaults and domes of their palaces and churches. This, in
combination with the architectural innovations in buttressing, squinches, pendentives, domes,
half domes, and fenestration combined to make far...