Prehistory to Classical Greece – Art History Review

These question-and-answer flashcards cover major artworks, periods, techniques, and key concepts from Paleolithic cave art through Classical Greek sculpture, helping students prepare for an art-history exam.

What era does the "Venus Pendant" ("Sorcerer") from Chauvet Cave belong to?

The Paleolithic era (c. 35,000 – 26,000 BCE).

Which Paleolithic cave painting combines multiple viewpoints of animals to convey more information?

Hall of the Bulls, Lascaux Cave (c. 15,000 BCE).

What material is the Stele of Hammurabi made from, and what is its approximate height?

Diorite, about 7 feet tall.

On the Stele of Hammurabi, how is the king’s close relationship to the god symbolized?

Their heads are at the same level even though the god is seated on a taller throne.

Which Sumerian object uses hierarchical scale across three registers to depict agricultural offerings to a deity?

The Uruk (Warka) Vase (c. 3000 BCE).

Why do the Standing Male Worshipers from Eshnunna have oversized eyes and clasped hands?

The exaggerated eyes and clasped hands signify perpetual devotion and prayer on behalf of the donor.

Name the two themes depicted on the two sides of the Standard of Ur.

"War" and "Peace."

Which Akkadian monument commemorates a military victory and was later taken as war booty to Susa?

Stele of Naram-Sin (c. 2250 BCE).

What does the overflowing vessel held by Gudea of Lagash symbolize?

The life-giving, fertilizing rivers of Mesopotamia.

What hybrid creature stands with five legs at Assyrian palace gateways to ward off evil?

The Lamassu (human-headed winged bull or lion).

How did Assyrian sculptors create the illusion of movement in their Lamassu?

By carving five legs so the creature appears to stand firmly or stride forward depending on the viewer’s angle.

Which relief shows Ashurnasirpal II demonstrating his royal prowess as a hunter?

Ashurnasirpal II Killing Lions.

Which palette documents the unification of Upper and Lower Egypt?

The Narmer Palette (c. 3000 BCE).

Why are Narmer’s sandals removed on the Narmer Palette?

Because the depicted act is sacred, and he stands on holy ground.

What is a Ka statue, and which Old Kingdom pharaoh’s diorite statue exemplifies it?

A Ka statue houses the soul in the afterlife; the statue of Khafre (c. 2520–2494 BCE) is a classic example.

Which Old Kingdom tomb relief shows a high official calmly overseeing a chaotic hippopotamus hunt?

Ti Watching a Hippo Hunt, Saqqara.

Why is the Seated Scribe allowed a naturalistic, less idealized body?

Because scribes were valued for intellect rather than divine perfection, allowing individualized features and softness.

List the construction sequence that led to the true pyramids of Giza.

Mastaba → Stepped Pyramid → (True) Pyramid.

Which pair of Old Kingdom statues shows the king striding forward with his queen closely supporting him?

Menkaura and Queen (c. 2490–2472 BCE).

Tutankhamun’s tomb was found intact primarily because:

A larger, looted tomb above it concealed the entrance, leaving his undisturbed.

What ceremony illustrated in Hunefer’s Book of the Dead allowed a mummy statue to eat, speak, and breathe?

The Mouth-Opening Ceremony.

Why were many images of Hatshepsut defaced after her death?

A political campaign—likely by her stepson Thutmose III—to ‘damn her memory’ and reinforce his legitimacy.

Which pharaoh radically altered Egyptian religion to worship Aten and adopted an elongated, androgynous artistic style?

Akhenaten (Amarna Period).

What domestic object shows Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and their daughters bathed in Aten’s rays?

House Altar with Akhenaten, Nefertiti, and Daughters (c. 1340 BCE).

Who sculpted the famous, unfinished painted bust of Nefertiti?

Thutmose, the court sculptor.

Which New Kingdom temple at Abu Simbel served as a statement of Egyptian power over Nubia?

The rock-cut Temple of Ramses II (c. 1244–1217 BCE).

What Cycladic artwork is a highly abstract marble figure, possibly a goddess or funerary object?

Bastis Master Female Figure (c. 2600–2400 BCE).

What architectural term describes the massive irregular stone blocks of the Mycenaean citadel walls?

Cyclopean masonry.

Which wall painting from Knossos depicts acrobats vaulting over a bull?

Bull Leaping (c. 1550–1450 BCE).

Describe the metalworking technique used to create the Vapheio gold cup.

Repoussé—hammering from the reverse side to form relief images.

What Mycenaean object is a tiny seal stone with extraordinarily fine battle detail?

Pylos Combat Agate (c. 1500–1450 BCE).

What is the function of the Geometric krater attributed to the Hirschfeld Workshop?

Funerary marker & libation vessel; offerings could be poured through its open base into the grave.

Define Kouros and name one key stylistic feature.

A free-standing Archaic Greek statue of a nude youth; exhibits rigid frontality and one foot advanced.

Why is the Peplos Kore fully clothed while male Kouroi are nude?

Greek convention associated female virtue with modesty; nudity signified heroic male beauty.

What facial expression signals the Archaic period in Greek sculpture?

The Archaic smile—small up-turned lips suggesting vitality rather than emotion.

Which early Classical statue introduces true contrapposto?

Kritios Boy (after 480 BCE).

Explain contrapposto.

A stance in which the body’s weight rests on one leg, creating opposing tensions in hips and shoulders for naturalism.

What is a Lamassu’s primary protective function?

Apotropaic—serving to ward off evil from palace entrances.

Which architectural feature combines corbeled arch and post-and-lintel construction at Mycenae?

The Lion Gate entrance.

Identify the period that immediately follows the Geometric period in Greek art.

The Archaic period.

Which culture produced the Snake Goddess figurine with exposed breasts, and from which site?

The Minoan culture; found at Knossos.

Name the Minoan artifact thought to show ritual acrobatics with a live bull.

Bull Leaping fresco.

What Mesopotamian object illustrated the use of hierarchical scale by depicting a king larger than soldiers and captives on a battlefield?

Stele of Naram-Sin.

In Egyptian temple alignment, what solar phenomenon occurs at Abu Simbel twice a year?

Sunlight penetrates the inner sanctuary, illuminating three of four seated statues.

What do the aquatic plant motif and the protective Horus falcon on the Khafre statue symbolize?

Unification of Egypt (Lotus & Papyrus) and divine kingship (Horus).

Why were the Great Pyramids built on the west bank of the Nile?

The west was associated with the setting sun and the realm of the dead.

Which relief from the palace of Ashurnasirpal II shows elites trying to escape attackers by swimming?

Enemies Crossing a River to Escape Assyrian Archers.

What small Mesopotamian stone statues served as perpetual worshippers inside temples?

Standing Male (and Female) Worshipers from Eshnunna.

Which Babylonian monument is best known for codifying one of the earliest written legal systems?

Stele of Hammurabi.

Define hierarchical scale.

An artistic convention in which greater size indicates higher status or importance.

Which Aegean metal figure was cast by the lost-wax (cire perdue) method and depicts an athlete vaulting a bull?

The bronze Bull Leaper (c. 1600–1450 BCE).

What is the significance of the ‘Archaic’ in Greek art history?

A transitional era (c. 700–480 BCE) characterized by stylized figures, the Archaic smile, and the birth of the free-standing marble statue.

How does the Kritios Boy reflect the Greek concept of idealized naturalism?

By combining realistic anatomy with a poised, youthful body that embodies physical perfection.