Lecture Terms (Exam 2)

Peristyle

A covered colonnaded porch or open space surrounded by columns, often found in ancient Greek and Roman architecture, particularly in temples or courtyards.

The Temple of Artemis

The Parthenon

Naos

The inner chamber or sanctuary of a temple, especially in ancient Greek architecture, where the cult statue of the deity was housed.

The Temple of Artemis

The Parthenon

Pediment

The triangular space at the top of a temple, formed by the sloping roof and the horizontal cornice, often decorated with sculpture or relief carving.

The Temple of Artemis

The Parthenon

Triglyph

A projecting block with three vertical grooves, alternating with metopes, in a Doric frieze.

The Temple of Artemis

The Parthenon

Metope

The square space between triglyphs on a Doric frieze, often decorated with relief sculpture.

The Temple of Artemis

The Parthenon

Ionic Frieze

A continuous band of relief sculpture running along the upper part of an Ionic temple's entablature, usually depicting mythological scenes or processions.

The Parthenon (Interior)

Echinus Capital

A characteristic of Doric architecture, consist of a plain, convex circular element supporting the abacus atop the column.

The Temple of Artemis

The Parthenon

Voluted Capital

Typical of Ionic architecture, are characterized by their use of spiral or scroll-shaped decorations on either side of the capital, supporting the abacus atop the column.

Knielauf Pose

A pose in sculpture where the figure is depicted kneeling, often used in ancient Greek sculpture to convey reverence or submission.

The Temple of Artemis (Medusa on West Pediment)

Gorgoneion

A stylized depiction of the head of the Gorgon Medusa, often used as a protective symbol or as an ornament in ancient Greek art and architecture.

The Temple of Artemis (Medusa on West Pediment)

The Parthenon (cult statue of Athena Parthenos: aegis with Gorgoneion)

Perikles

An influential statesman and general of Athens during the Golden Age of Athens in the 5th century BCE, known for his support of the arts and for commissioning the construction of the Parthenon.

The Parthenon

Entasis

The slight convex curvature given to the shaft of a column in classical architecture, intended to counteract the optical illusion of concavity and create the impression of straightness.

The Parthenon

Chryselephantine

A technique in ancient Greek sculpture involving the use of gold and ivory to create detailed and lifelike representations of figures, often used for statues of gods and goddesses.

The Parthenon (cult statue of Athena Parthenos)

Wet-Drapery Style

A sculptural technique used in ancient Greek and Roman art to depict clothing or fabric that appears to cling closely to the body, suggesting moisture or transparency. This technique is often associated with Hellenistic sculpture.

The Parthenon (Three Goddesses)

Panathenaic Procession

An annual procession held in ancient Athens during the Panathenaic festival, featuring Athenian citizens and religious ceremonies, often depicted in Athenian vase painting and sculpture.

The Parthenon (Ionic Frieze)

Egyptian Blue

A synthetic pigment used in ancient Egyptian art, made from a mixture of silica, lime, copper, and alkali, producing a vibrant blue color which can be found using an imaging technique called Visible Induced Luminescence (VIL).

The Parthenon (Three Goddesses)

Dipteral

A type of temple surrounded by a double row of columns on all sides. Design of the Hellenistic principle of reduplication.

The Parthenon

The Temple of Apollo

Hypaethral

A type of ancient Greek or Roman temple that lacks a roof over the central part, leaving the inner sanctuary open to the sky.

The Temple of Apollo (Shrine of Apollo)

Engaged Column

A column that is partially embedded in a wall, used for decorative or structural purposes in architecture.

The Temple of Apollo (East of the hypaethral interior)

Acanthus

A motif often used in classical architecture and ornamentation, characterized by the stylized leaves of the acanthus plant.

The Temple of Apollo (Corinthian capital)

Pathos

An emotional quality or expression, often conveyed in art through gestures, facial expressions, or subject matter to evoke empathy or pity.

Terme Boxer

Necropolis

A large cemetery or burial ground, particularly associated with ancient civilizations such as the Egyptians or Greeks.

Tomb of the Leopards

Tympanum

The semi-circular or triangular space enclosed by a pediment in classical architecture, often decorated with relief sculpture or carving.

Tomb of the Leopards

Syncretic

A term used to describe the blending or merging of different cultural or religious traditions, often seen in art and architecture. A combination of diverse elements into something new.

Theater of Pompey

Concrete

A building material composed of cement, aggregate, and water, commonly used in construction since ancient times and extensively utilized by the Romans.

Theater of Pompey

The Colosseum

Patron Deity

A god or goddess considered the special protector, advocate, or benefactor of a particular place, group, profession, or individual.

Theater of Pompey (Temple of Venus Victrix)

Veristic

A style of portraiture characterized by a realistic depiction of facial features and physical characteristics, often associated with Roman Republican portraiture. Highlights physical imperfections that come with age = the truth. Such as wrinkles, bags, crow’s feet, warts, neck sagging, hair line balding. Most of these portraitures are of men serving in political positions.

Denarius of Julius Caesar

Funerary Relief of the Gessi

Gravitas

The Republican virtue of seriousness of mind. Shown through signs of age.

Denarius of Julius Caesar

Funerary Relief of the Gessi

Dignitas

The Republican virtue of excellence of moral character and personal influence. Shown through signs of age.

Denarius of Julius Caesar

Funerary Relief of the Gessi

Fides

The Republican virtue of reliability; loyal service to family and the state. Shown through signs of age.

Denarius of Julius Caesar

Funerary Relief of the Gessi

Corona Triumphalis

A ceremonial crown awarded to victorious Roman generals during a triumphal procession, typically made of laurel leaves.

Denarius of Julius Caesar

“Window” Relief

A type of relief sculpture in which figures or scenes are depicted within architectural elements resembling windows, often seen in ancient Assyrian and Persian art.

Funerary Relief of the Gessi

Cuirass

A piece of armor consisting of breastplate and backplate worn to protect the torso, often depicted in classical sculpture and portraiture.

Funerary Relief of the Gessi

Augustus

Palundamentum

A cloak or military cloak worn by ancient Roman military commanders, often depicted in portraits and sculptures of Roman generals.

Funerary Relief of the Gessi

Liberta / Libertus

A freedwoman / A freedman.

Funerary Relief of the Gessi

Toga

A distinctive garment of ancient Rome, was a roughly semicircular cloth between 12 and 20 feet in length, draped over the shoulders and around the body. It was typically woven from white wool, and was worn over a tunic. Worn only by men with Roman citizenship.

Funerary Relief of the Gessi

Togatus

A Roman citizen wearing a toga, worn by freeborn male citizens in ancient Rome.

Funerary Relief of the Gessi

Palla

A traditional ancient Roman mantle worn by women, fastened by brooches. It was similar to a shawl or cloak. The shape was rectangular instead of semi-circular as with the traditional toga. Only worn by women with Roman citizenship.

Funerary Relief of the Gessi

Livia in the Guise of Ceres

Pudicitia Pose

A pose in Roman art representing female modesty and chastity, often depicted with a woman veiling her head or holding her dress in a protective manner.

Funerary Relief of the Gessi

Comma Locks

A Julio-Claudian A hairstyle consisting of locks of hair arranged in spiral or comma-shaped curls. Shown in Roman leaders as “Power Hair”.

Augustus

Adlocutio Pose

This stance includes the contrapposto pose – a standing position whereby the weight of the figure is shifted on one leg, alongside a raised right hand and generally a pointed finger to signify authority, control, and leadership. Typically speaking.

Augustus

Aquila

The Roman battle standard, representing the legions and the Roman state, often depicted in military imagery and sculpture. Each legion carried one eagle. The aquila of the 10th legion was captured by the Parthians in 53 BCE at the Battle of Carrhea and was returned in 20 BCE as a diplomatic victory.

Augustus (Cuirass)

Pax Romana

The period of relative peace and stability experienced throughout the Roman Empire during the first and second centuries CE, marked by extensive construction and cultural achievements.

Augustus (Cuirass)

Capite Velato

A Roman religious ritual involving the covering of the head with a fold of the toga during certain ceremonies.

Ara Pacis (South side on Augustus)

Livia in the Guise of Ceres

Guise Portrait

A portrait that presents the subject in a costume or disguise, often used for allegorical or symbolic purposes. Akin to a disguise (shows someone or something as someone/something they are not). In Roman portraiture, often representations of mortal individuals as gods. Divine guises are typically selected because aspects of the character of the god/goddess are considered analogous to aspects (real or alleged) of the mortal’s character.

Livia in the Guise of Ceres

Nodus

A decorative knot motif often seen in ancient Roman art and architecture, symbolizing unity or complexity. An external indication of inner restraint and modest character.

Livia in the Guise of Ceres

Infula

A ceremonial headband or fillet worn by priests or other religious figures in ancient Rome and other cultures.

Livia in the Guise of Ceres

Domus Aurea

The "Golden House" of Nero, a vast and opulent palace complex in ancient Rome, known for its lavish decorations and innovative architectural features for entertainment.

The Colosseum (replaced Nero’s man-made lake)

Amphitheater

A large oval or circular open-air venue used for public spectacles and entertainment, particularly gladiatorial contests and other performances, common in ancient Roman cities.

The Colosseum

Barrel Vault

A masonry vault with a semi-cylindrical ceiling, formed by the extension of an arch, commonly used in Roman architecture to cover large spaces.

Temple of Apollo (north tunnel entrance)

The Colosseum (held up the cavea)

Pilaster

An engaged column or rectangular pillar projecting from a wall and often decorated with Corinthian elements, used for ornamental or structural purposes.

The Colosseum (Top order)

Tuscan Order

A simplified variation of the Doric order in classical architecture, characterized by plain columns without fluting and a simplified capital.

The Colosseum (bottom order)

Vault

An arched masonry structure forming a ceiling or roof, used to cover a space or passageway, commonly seen in Roman architecture.

The Arch of Titus

Coffer

A sunken panel in a ceiling, often decorated, used to reduce the weight of a vault or dome and to create visual interest.

The Arch of Titus

Apotheosis

The transformation from mortal to divine status following death, particularly in depictions of emperors or heroes ascending to the heavens.

The Arch of Titus (in the coffered vault)

Quadriga

A chariot drawn by four horses abreast, often depicted in ancient art and architecture as a symbol of victory or triumph.

The Arch of Titus (on the walls below the vault)

Fasces

A bundle of rods with an axe blade protruding from the center, carried as a symbol of authority by Roman magistrates and officials, representing unity and power.

The Arch of Titus