Why is marble the material of choice for the decoration of most Roman cathedrals? Why did (or does) marble inspire a certain feeling of divinity that other materials did not?

Answer 1

I think it has to do with the value and expense marble has as a material (not just anyone could afford it, mainly only the elite) but I think it has more to do with it as a material in and of itself. Marble is incredibly durable and weather-resistant (unless exposed to acid rain or seawater) and due to its ability to absorb and refract light in a soft way, gives a beautiful appearance to sculptures, specifically those of humans. The translucency of marble makes the "skin" or sculptures appear to glow softly. Marble is also soft when first quarried and hardens over time, aiding in the sculptor's ability to carve fine details and create smoothness over the entire piece, while ending up with a sculpture that will withstand the test of time. This is due to the grain of marble, which aids in the artist's ability to achieve this smoothness that they could not achieve as easily with other materials.