ARH 314 Byzantine Architecture

Justinian I

Last Roman emperor to rule over entirety of empire. Establishes Christianity and main religion. Built Hagia Sophia

Theodora

Wife of Justinian, of low origin. Influential and depicted in religious mosaics alongside Justinian.

Ravenna

Captial of western Rome, taken over by Ostrogoths, then taken by the Byzantines under Justinian I

Pendentive

A circular triangular structural element that supports a dome from a square structure

Byzantium

Capital of the eastern Roman empire, then renamed Constantinople

Impost/Impost Block

The block between a capital and the voussoir of an arch

Theodoric

Ostrogoth king who controlled Ravenna. Used construction of his mausoleum to compare himself to roman forefathers.