ARTH Exam #2: terms and definitions

“Hun-soul“ meaning?

heavenly

“Po-soul” meaning?

earthly

what are the two types of tomb structures?

• Vertical pit (developed earlier)

• Horizontal chamber(s)

What are the two important notions?

• Microcosm of the universe

• Posthumous home

Body vs. Coffin?

• Inner Coffin (guan) – extension of body

• Outer Coffin/casket (guo) –container

What is the ‘Happy Home‘?

The inside part of the chamber of a casket

What is Material Symbolism?

• Value of material beyond its usefulness as a natural medium

What is the metaphoric role of the jade?

Transformation of the body

What is Syncretism?

attempted union or reconciliation of diverse or opposite tenets or practices, especially in philosophy or religion

Who founded Zoroastrianism?

Zarathustra (ca. 1200-1000 BCE)

When and where did Manicheanism originate?

Mesopotamia in 3rd c. CE

Who founded Manicheanism?

Mani (216-274/277 CE)

What is a Synagogue?

A Jewish house of worship, communal center, and place of study

What are catacombs?

Human made mortuary chamber/chapel

What is Prefiguration?

Depiction of an Old Testament persons and events as prophetic forerunners of Christ and New Testament events

What does Orant mean?

A figure with two arms raised in gesture of prayer

What is a Nave?

The central, main part of the interior of a Christian church where the congregation (lay worshippers) gathers during services

Name the terms and their numbers from the plan of Old St. Peter’s plan

1. Nave

2. Aisles

3. Apse

4. Transept

5. Narthex

What are Tesserae? (think of mosaics)

Tiny cut stones

usually glass, reflects light and sparkles

What do Pendentives do?

Transfers weight from dome to piers beneath, rather than walls

What is the Exedrae?

A semi-circular recessed area; help to further distribute the weight of the dome

Christ Pantokrator meaning?

‘Ruler of all‘

Cloisonné definition and meaning in English?

• A technique characterized by wires soldered onto a metal base; the areas created are filled with polished stones or enamel

• “Partitioned“

What is animal interlacing?

A decorative art style featuring intertwined, distorted, and stylized animal or bird forms woven into complex knots, ribbons, or geometric patterns

What is Vellum?

animal skin

Colophon definition?

An inscription, usually on the last page, giving information about the book’s

manufacture

What is a Scriptorium?

Writing studio of a Monastery

What is an Illuminated manuscript

A hand-written book decorated with brilliant colors, silver, and burnished gold leaf that makes the pages look like they are glowing

What does ‘Renovatio imperii Romani’ mean?

Renewal of the Roman Empire

What are Westworks (German westwerk)

Western Entrance Structure

What was the name of the diety responsible for creation in Zoroastrianism?

Ahura Mazda (also called Ohrmazd)

Zoroastrianism was the imperial religion of who?

Sassanids (Persian empire)

Muhammad’s lifespan and place of birth?

570-632, Mecca

Muhammad was succeeded by who?

the four “rightly-guided” Caliphs (khalifa or successor in Arabic)

What are the main Mosque Architecture terms?

1. Courtyard/forecourt

2. hypostyle hall

3. qibla/qibla wall

4. Mihrab

5. Minaret

What is the hypostyle hall?

Main prayer hall

Qibla/qibla wall is oriented where?

Oriented toward Mecca

What is the Mihrab?

Recessed niche on qibla wall, usually in center of the qibla wall; acts as a focal point

What is the Minarets function? When did it begin?

• Structure from which call to prayer (adhan) happens

• Minarets begin in the Umayyad period (late 7th c.)

Umayyad Caliphate: Timeline and where it was based?

661–750, based in Syria

Abbasid Caliphate timeline?

750-1258 CE

Caliphate meaning?

Successor