Western Humanities 201 Exam 2

How does Islam influence the west?

Intellectual tradition.
- Algebra
- Alchemy
- Numbers, decimals, etc.
- Advancements in architecture, art, technology, navigation, and hygiene.

Charlemagne's accomplisments?

-Economic development: royal coinage.
- Increased trade: trade fairs, inventions
- Education, focused on Bible.
*Palace school at Aachen
*Schools throughout the kingdom
*Monasticism flourishes

Where do we see the combination of Church and State?

We find this in the religious conflict between the Arian and Orthodox beliefs. Constantine sided with the Orthodox.

Scholasticism:

the system of theology and philosophy taught in medieval European universities, based on Aristotelian logic and the writings of the early Church Fathers.

What is Scholasticism rooted in?

Authority

Trivium:

Humanities- grammar, rhetoric, logic

Quadrivium:

Mathematical- arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, music

What are the 5 Elements of Scholasticism?

Reconciliation of Contradiction, Division and Subdivision, Totality, Light, and the Virgin Mary.

EOS 1: Reconciliation of Contradiction:

Peter Abelard and his work Sic et non (yes and no).

EOS 2: Division and Subdivision:

Thomas Aquinas and his organization of Summa Theologiae.

EOS 3: Totality:

Thomas Aquinas and his life work- Summa Theologiae.

EOS 4: Light:

understanding and illuminations.
- Interest in aesthetics, mysticism, metaphysics, theology, and the science of the optics.

EOS 5: Virgin Mary:

She becomes a symbol of wisdom and the university. During the Middle Ages she is often depicted holding the Christ child (the source of all wisdom and understanding) on her lap. Thus she is known as "the seat of wisdom".
- Patron of the 7 liberal arts
- Aquinas called the "Marian Doctor"

Thomas Aquinas as an example of Scholasticism:

Thomas tried to harmonize human reason with divine revelation through philosophy.
- "Philosophy perfects the human capacity to know and revelation perfects one beyond self by offering salvation and eternal life". (Cunningham and Reich)

Koine:

- Greek dialect that Alexander the Great spread during the Hellenistic Age.

Pietas:

devotion to the gods, state, empire family.

Catacombs:

Roman underground cemeteries spread throughout the city.

Why were Christians sometimes ostracized/ executed in Rome?

they might be considered traitors if they didn't "worship" the emperor.
- Conflict between freedom and flexibility- Romans had a problem with monotheism in Christians;

4 Basic Motifs of the Bible

-Biblical Monotheism
-Covenant relationship between God and His Chosen people
-Ethical worldview from idea that humans are "created in the image and likeness of God"
treat others how you would treat God
-Model and types: symbols of instruction and illumination

How is Christ's ideal society different from Roman society? (Sermon on the mount)

-The ideal human that Christ is teaching is very different than why the Romans believe.
Romans focus more on actions and Christ focuses more on the inward action and also who you are
- Seeking first the kingdom of God

Important Metaphors in the Sermon on the Mount:

-Salt of the Sea
-Light of the World
-Wolf in Sheep's clothing
-Foundation Upon a Rock

Good Shepherd symbolism:

Christ as the Good Shepherd, mentioned as a shepherd multiple times in scripture.

Orpheus symbolism:

-Romans constantly used well known characters to represent Christ
- Similarities:
*Son of a God
*People follow him
*Transcends death

Jonah and the Whale symbolism:

the resurrection

Chi Rho symbolism:

Jesus' name
- Chi(X) and Rho(P) are the first two letters for Christ in Greek

ICHTHUS symbolism:

fish in greek, becomes an acronym for Jesus Christ, Son of God and Savior.

Good Samaritan symbolism:

symbol of Christ

Know how to label Latin Cross Basilica:

Apse: head
Transept: the arms
Nave: torso
Narthex: hips
Atrium: legs
Aisles: on the sides of the torso
Triforium space: above the arches in the nave
Clerestory: above the triforium, where the windows are, bring light into the basilica.

Importance of Ravenna:

-Small city in Northern Italy
- Honorius makes it the capital of the Western Roman Empire after the division of the Empire is completed by Diocletian.

St. Augustine's philosophy:

-Absolute majesty of God
-Immutability of God's will
-Flawed state of the human condition

St. Augustine's City of God:

-Rome's fall is part of God's plan
-Kingdom of God replaces secular institutions such as Rome
-City of God is saved, City of Man is damned

St. Augustine's Confessions:

-Accusation of self
-Praise of God
-Declaration of faith
-Influence of Neoplatonism
*Pure forms vs. shadows of reality
*progression
*platonic inquiry of addressing the "one"
-Unique writing style that departs from classical oration and relies on biblical allusions

Christianity and the decline of the Roman Empire:

-Edict of Milan: grants Christians (and others) religious freedom.
-Constantine: moves the Roman capitol to Byzantium (renamed Constantinople)
-Christianity becomes the state religion of Rome.

Western and Eastern Rome:

-Division of Roman Empire by Diocletian
-Emperor Honorius moves the Western Roman Empire to Northern Italy (Ravenna).
*Constantinople in the eastern roman empire.
*Each doesn't believe that the other Rome is legitimate.

Rome collapses:

-Western Rome gets taken over by Germanic tribes
-Justinian takes the thone of the Eastern Roman Empire and closes the last pagan school of philosophy
-Justinian reunites Western and Eastern Rome in 25 years.

Justinian

- Saw his role as Christ's regent on earth
- Improves the economy by importing silkworms and beginning a silk industry, ending the Chinese monopoly
- Revised and codified Roman law
- Shuts down the final school of Platonic thought
- Major patron of churches
- Also rebuilds and constructs bridges, roads, aqueducts, monuments, churches, and monasteries

Empress Theodora:

Justinian's wife
-Loved very much
-gets a prominent space above the altar in San Vitale , brings a chalice for the wine (part of the Lord's Supper)

Church Miltant:

the Christians on earth who are engaged in a continuous war against evil and the enemies of Christ
-Combination of church and state

Hagia Sophia:

- Giant dome on a square base accomplished by pendentives
- Originally a Christian basilica based on the Greek Cross Plan or Central Domed Plan. A square plus sign shape different from the rectangular Latin Cross Plan.

Tesserae:

tiny pieces of stone and glass

Pendentives:

a triangular segment of a spherical surface, filling in the upper corners of a room to help give circular support for a dome

Cathedra:

a seat, specifically the chair of a bishop in his church

Ivory Carvings:

the carving or sculpture of ivory into sculptures, ornaments, and decorative or utilitarian articles.

Baptistry:

the part of a church or building next to a church used for baptism.

Early Roman Christian Art Characteristics:

Arian, West, 3D Naturalism, Latin Cross Plan, 3D folds of cloth, Unadorned toga, Natural 3D background, individuals are candid, direct, simplistic.

Byzantine Art Characteristics:

Orthodox, East, 2D spiritual eternities, Greek Cross Plan, 2D lines, ornate textiles and gems, Gold background with stylized plants, individuals are aloof and impersonal (stamps), Four F's :frontal, formal, flat, floating

Saint Apollinare Nuovo's mix of styles:

- Sant Apollinare Nuovo is in Rivenna (the West), Latin cross plan, early roman Christian.
Was remodeled and byzantine art was used to replace early roman Christian art.

St. Catherine's Monastery:

-Commissioned by J
-Christ Pantocrater

Greek Icons:

-an image, a window into the world of the sacred
- a "thing" that permits a glimpse into the eternities for the Orthodox Christian faithful.
- Icons are not really supposed to draw too much attention to themselves.

Influence of Byzantine Culture in Russia

St. basil's Cathedral of the Intercession of the Virgin by the Moat
- Moscos, Russia
- Byzantine influences Russian Orthodox architecture.

Islam:

"Submission to Allah"

Allah:

Arabic for God

Muslim:

believer in Islam

Muhammad:

-Born in Saudi Arabia, visited by Angel Gabriel, 622 marks beginning of Islamic calender

5 basic pillars of Islam:

- Monotheism- belief in Allah
- Pray 5 times a day- minaret prayer towers, face Mecca in the East
- Fast during month of Ramadan from sunup to sun down
- Alms to the Poor
- Pilgrimage (haj) to Mecca

Koran essence:

admonition and guidance

Koran characterstics:

- Arabic language of Allah
- Organized by length of surah- long to short
- no narrative thread of history or chosen people
- Includes prophets such as Muhammad, Noah, Abraha,, Moses, Jonah, Joseph, and Jesus
- Allah's POV, more dialogue than Old Testament, switches between 1st and 3rd person
- "We established Joseph in the land" vs. "And God was with Joseph"
- Directly states Allah's plan

Islam features of art/architecture:

-NO recognizable subject matter in their art, no icons, no idolatry in religious places.
- Court of Lions
* not a religious place so that is why there are stylized lion statues

Mosque:

religious meeting site for Muslims

Most holy site for Muslims:

Mecca

2nd most holy site for Muslims:

Dome of the Rock
- the rock above which the dome is constructed is the spot from which the Prophet Muhammad was taken up into heaven for an encounter with God
- central dome, plus sign shape
- decorative calligraphy. Arabic from the Koran, decorated with the words of Allah, no engraved images.

What is believed about the holy site Mecca?

many branches of Islam believe this is where Muhammad started his night journeys with Gabriel. Also believed to be the place where Abraham was to sacrifice Ishmael.

How is Charlemagne's coronation as emperor significant?

Pope crowned him on Christmas Day
- Represents the church-militant theme.

Monastic life:

- vows of poverty, obedience, and chastity
- life centers around prayer, work, and study
- Horarium monsticum (hour of the monk)- office hours
- arts flourish, illuminated manuscripts

Scribe:

reading and writing the text

Rubricator:

writing red letters

Illuminator:

applied gold and does some of the pictures

Celtic influence:

- Larger first letters in manuscripts
- Leaf and vine motif in geometric shapes

Acapella:

-Acapella, free flowing rhythm, sacred Latin texts, narrow range, male voices (unless in nunnery).

Monophonic:

one melody

Polyphonic:

two or more melodies

homophonic:

melody and harmony

Mass:

divided into ordinary and propers.

Ordinary:

text always stays the same. 5 parts in Latin.

Propers:

specific for a particular reason

Neumes:

medieval musical notation

Syllabic:

one note per syllable

trope:

words added to long melisma's

Morality play:

origin on Western drama

Feudalism structure:

system of hierarchy with serfs at the bottom, who labor and return for the permission to live on the lord's property and enjoy his protection.
- Rural, agrarian economy. Manorialism.
- Law of primogeniture.

Nobility Heirarchy:

serfs-> tenant farmers->lords->dukes->kings

religious heirarchy:

chaplain->parish priest->bishop->archbishop->pope

Law of Primogeniture:

First born son inherits the property

Bayeux Tapestry- Church Militant example

-Political story found in cathedral
-Battle of Hastings
-Located in triforium of Bayeux Cathedral
-Themes of Feudalism and military Christianity

The Crusade- Church Militant example

-First Crusade to Jerusalem, 8 Crusades span almost 200 years.
-Enormous popular response represents papal authority.
-Pope calls for the crusades
-Crusader a coveted reputation

Romanesque Architecture Characteristics

- fortification
*natural fortification (cliffs)
*moats, double layers
-Small windows
-Gothic architecture

St. Mont Michel described the church as being what?

a spiritual fortress

Buttresses:

A projecting support built against an external wall, usually to counteract the lateral thrust of a vault or arch within.

Crossing:

the space in a cruciform church formed by the intersection of the nave and the transept; usually a spire on top

Barrel Vaults:

Tunnel vault, extension of a simple arch, creating a semi-cylindrical ceiling over parallel walls.

Ambulatory:

Narrow crossing in the church resulting from the extension of the aisles and leading them around the chancel behind the main altar.

Portal:

doorway

Tympanum:

top half,half circle, above doorway

Archivolt:

radiating arches above the tympanum (rainbow arches)

Mandorla:

almond shape, most significant part. Full body halod on the tympanum.

Trumeau:

Central, supporting column.

Gislebertus:

Romanesque sculptor

Flying buttress:

similar to a beam, supporting arches but is not connected a wall at the ground level.

Gargoyle:

vertical decorations beneath the pinnacles, scare away evil spirits.

Pinnacle:

protruding towers