Ancient Greek and Minoan Architecture Terms

Vocabulary flashcards for key architectural and sanctuary terms from the lecture notes.

central court

Open courtyard at the center of a Minoan palace; large and rectangular.

extraurban sanctuary

Religious site outside a city; often on a hill or natural landscape.

gymnasium

Place for athletic training and education; open exercise areas with buildings around them.

heroon

Shrine or tomb honoring a hero; often a small enclosed sacred structure.

interurban sanctuary

Shared sanctuary between cities; a religious site serving multiple communities.

megaron

Large rectangular hall with a central hearth; often has columns at the entrance.

naos

Main inner room of a Greek temple; usually rectangular and enclosed.

stadium

Long, narrow area for footraces; often surrounded by sloped seating.

stoa

Long covered walkway with columns along one side; used for gathering and shops.

temenos

Sacred area set apart for a god or hero; often enclosed by a wall.

theater

Outdoor performance space with semicircular seating around a stage.

treasury

Small building used to store offerings; often looks like a tiny temple.

altar

A place where offerings or sacrifices were made to a god. Usually a raised stone structure or platform, often located outside the temple in an open sacred area.