HISTORY OF ARTS AND INTERIOR DESIGN (BYZANTINE/ROMANESQUE)

Atrium

Open air court

Nave

The middle aisle of a church

Apse

A semi-circular space in front of the nave

Altar

Placed at the center of the apse

Iconoclastic Controversy

Started by Emperor Leo III when he prohibited the production of icons in representational human form.

Constantine

Emperor of Rome who adopted the Christian faith and stopped the persecution of Christians (280-337)

Nova Roma

" New Rome" the name given to the Byzantine Empire

Justinian

Byzantine emperor in the 6th century A.D. who reconquered much of the territory previously ruler by Rome, initiated an ambitious building program , including Hagia Sofia, as well as a new legal code

Pendentives

An inverted concave triangle that springs from a corner of the square curving up to meet the other pendentives

Squinch Arch

Corbel type arches piled on top of another, placed diagonally across the internal angles of a tower or base of a drum to convert the square form into an octagonal base to support an octagonal spire or circular dome

Minarets

Towers attached to the outside of a mosque, from where a crier calls Muslims to worship

Ambulatories

Circulation spaces/enclosing walkways and martyrium (function)

Basilica

Formerly a hall of justice, was redesigned to be a place of worship

Martyrium

Sanctuaries that enshrine a relic/tomb of a martyr

Mausoleum

A large tomb, almost temple-like

Baptisteries

Used for the sacrament of baptism

Church of San Vitale

Large original building with a dome over the central core

The Hagia Sophia

Most famous example of Byzantine architecture, it was built under Justinian I and is considered one of the most perfect buildings in the world.

St. Mark's Basilica

An example of Byzantine architecture in Venice; Both interior and exterior are lavishly decorated with elaborate mosaic, much of it in shimmering gold

Age of Faith

Period of time where Catholicism and other faiths thrived

Monasticism

Living in a religious community apart from secular society and adhering to a rule stipulating chastity, obedience, and poverty. (Primary Centers of Learning in Medieval Europe)

Feudalism

A political system in which nobles are granted the use of lands that legally belong to their king, in exchange for their loyalty, military service, and protection of the people who live on the land

Manorialism

Economic system during the Middle Ages that revolved around self-sufficient farming estates where lords and peasants shared the land.

Reliquaries

Containers that hold sacred relics and that are usually crafted from some decorated metal. They were particularly popular for the Christian tradition during the Middle Ages.

Bayeux Tapestry

A tapestry that recounts the battle of hastings, A piece of linen about 1 Ft.8 in. Wide by 213 ft.long covered with embroidery representing the incidents of Willam the conqueror's expedition to England.

Trumeau

A column, pier, or post found at the center of a large portal or doorway, supporting the lintel

Tympanum

Half-round panel that fills the space between the lintel and arch over the doorway of the church.

Lunette

A semicircular wall area, framed by an arch over a door or window. Can be either plain or decorated.

Westwork

The facade and towers at the western end of a medieval church, principally in Germany.

Blind Arcading

A distinct form of decoration aimed at relieving otherwise blank walls

Segmented

An arch struck from one or more centers below the springing line

Stilted

An arch resting on an imposts treated as downward continuation of an archivolt

Narthex

A portico or vestibule before the nave of an early christian or byzantine church, occupied by those not yet christened.

Aisle

A longitudinal division of an interior area, as in a church, separated from the main area by arcades or the like.

Bema

Raised part of an Eastern church containing the altar

Transept

The part of a church with an axis that crosses the nave at a right angle.

Choir

The part of a church occupied by the singers of a choir, usually part of the chancel.

Pulpit

Appointed place for preaching

Monasteries

a house or place of residence occupied by a community of persons, especially monks, living in seclusion under religious vows.

Castles

Private residences and fortresses of the lords

Cathedral of Pisa

By an unknown architect famous for its leaning tower

Santiago de Compostela

Pilgrimage destination for Paul's pilgrims

Durham Cathedral

The greatest Norman building in England

Tower of London

Royal palace of her majesty

Minstrel Gallery

Entrance at one end.

Dais

Raised platform where thrones or chairs of honor stood