VOCAB TERMS (with culture/period)

Amphitheatre

Roman Empire large circular arena for gladiator games and public spectacles

Archaic Smile

Archaic Greek stylized smile used to show life and vitality in sculptures

Architectural Orders

The Greek system of Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian column styles used across the Greek/ Roman periods

Barrel vault

Roman architectural tunnel vault formed by extending an arch

Black-Figure Technique

Archaic Greek pottery style with black figures and incised details

Canon

Classical Greek system of ideal proportions especially Polykleitos

Caryatid

Classical Greek sculpted female figure used as a column in architecture

Christianity

Roman Empire religion that replaced paganism and influenced later art

Coffering

Roman ceiling decoration with sunken panels often in domes like the Pantheon

Concrete Architecture

Roman innovation using concrete to build large scale structures

Contrapposto

Early Classical Greek natural stance with weight shifted onto one leg

Corinthian Order

Late Greek and Roman decorative column style with acanthus leaves

Cornice

Greek and Roman top section of entablature projecting outward

Dome

Roman architectural element creating large interior spaces like the Pantheon

Doric Order

Archaic and Classical Greek simple column with no base and plain capital

Engaged Column Pilaster

Roman column attached to wall mainly decorative

Entablature

Greek and Roman horizontal structure of architrave frieze and cornice

Fresco buon fresco

Greek Roman painting technique on wet plaster

Frieze

Greek and Roman decorative band often with relief sculpture

Greek gods goddesses

Greek mythology figures central to Geometric through

Groin vault

Roman vault formed by intersecting barrel vaults

Idealized

Classical Greek concept of perfect human form rather than realistic

Ionic Order

Greek column style with scroll volutes used in Classical period

Keystone

Roman architectural central stone that stabilizes an arch

Kore Kouros

Archaic Greek statues of clothed females and nude males

Metope

Doric Greek square panel between triglyphs often sculpted

Oculus

Roman circular opening at top of dome like Pantheon

Olympics

Greek athletic festival honoring Zeus important in Greek culture

Paganism

Greek and Roman polytheistic religious beliefs before Christianity

Pax Romana Pax Augustus

Roman Empire period of peace under him enabled major building projects

Pediment

Greek triangular gable filled with sculpture especially temples like Parthenon

Praxiteles

Late Classical Greek sculptor known for naturalism and sensuality

Red-Figure Technique

Classical Greek pottery allowing more detailed natural figures

Republic

Roman government before emperors with elected officials

Role of women

Greek women limited Etruscan women more visible. Roman women varied roles

Gods/ Goddesses

Greek and Roman deities represented in sculpture architecture and myth

Sarcophagus

Etruscan and Roman stone coffin often sculpted with figures

Terracotta

Etruscan and Greek baked clay used for sculpture and temples

Theater

Greek/ Roman semicircular structure for performances

Toga

Roman garment symbolizing citizenship and status

Triglyph

Doric Greek vertical grooved element in frieze

Verism

Roman Republic style showing realistic aged features in portraits

Voussoir

Roman wedge shaped stone forming an arch

Wet drapery

Classical Greek sculptural style showing fabric clinging to body