Etruscan & Roman Art - Quiz 4

Agora

A Greek marketplace.

Aisle

The area of a basilica to either side of the nave and separated from it by a row of columns.

Aniconic

Portrayed symbolically rather than represented.

Annular

Ring shaped

Aula regla

Audience hall

Baptism

A Christian bathing ceremony for a newborn child or a new convert to the religion.

Basilica

In Roman architecture, a building for legal and other civic proceedings. In Early Christian architecture, a church resembling a Roman basilica in plan and elevation.

Catacombs

Subterranean networks of rock-cut galleries and chambers that served as cemeteries for the burial of the dead.

Christogram

The three initial letters (chi-rho-iota) of Christ’s name in Greek, which came to serve as a monogram (XPI) for Christ.

Codex

A book composed of separate folios of vellum or parchment bound together at one side.

Cremation

The burning of the bodies of the dead.

Decennalia

A 10th anniversary.

Eros

A small cupid

Loculus

An opening or shelf in the wall of a gallery in a catacomb to receive a corpse.

Narthex

The vestibule of an Early Christian basilica.

Nave

The central space of a basilica, demarcated from the flanking aisles by a row of columns on each side.

Orant

Praying figure

Prefiguration

An Old Testament forerunner of a New Testament person or event.

Principate

The system of rule by a princeps; the reign of an emperor.

Putto

A cherubic young boy

Spandrel

The roughly triangular area enclosed by the curve of an arch and the framing columns and architrave.

Spolia

Architectural elements and sculptures reused from earlier buildings and monuments

Tetrarchy 

Rule by four; the system of government that Diocletian established in 293.

Transept

The transverse aisle of a church that crosses the nave at a right angle in front of the apse.

Vellum

Calfskin prepared as a surface for writing or painting.

Vicennalia

A 20th anniversary