glossary (HoGA)

a cappucina tomb

Italian term designating a tomb made by lining a pit or trench with terracotta panels.

abacus

The square block that sits on top of the capital and supports the architrave.

abaton

The building in a sanctuary of Asklepios where the sick would be "incubated" as part of the healing ritual.

abstract

The representation of a subject in art in a simplified, reduced, or schematic form.

acroterion

Ornament or sculpture placed at the corners or peak of a roof.

adaptation

The merger of elements from an artistic model or source with indigenous elements or types to create a hybridized work.

agalma

Term meaning an object of delight such as a statue dedication.

aglaos

Term signifying brilliance or radiance, especially of sculpture.

agora

The central open area of a Greek city where markets and administrative structures were found, as well as dedications and shrines.

aidos

Term meaning modesty or sense of shame, usually signified by a downward gaze.

alabastron

A small perfume container, with a tall profile and rounded bottom.

Amazonomachy

Term for a battle between Amazons and Greeks.

amphictyony

A group made up of members of neighboring states that oversaw a sanctuary such as Delphi.

amphora

A multi-purpose storage vessel with two handles on the side and a narrower neck above a wide shoulder or belly.

amporiskos

A small amphora or storage vessel.

anakalypsis

The gesture in the wedding in which the bride unveils herself to the groom.

anathema

Greek word indicating the setting up or dedication of something for the gods.

andron

Word meaning men’s room, used to designate the dining room in the house where the symposion was held.

anoikismos

The founding or relocation of a city or cities by the movement inland of previously settled populations.

anta

Term for the projecting end of a wall.

antefix

Vertical tile of terracotta or stone that covers the ends of the roof tiles.

Anthesteria

Dionysiac festival celebrating the new wine from the fall harvest.

aparche

An offering of “first fruits,” that is, from the initial success or harvest.

apobates

A competition that involved a fully dressed warrior jumping out of and into a moving chariot.

apotropaic

A visual composition or motif that serves to protect a person or place from harm.

archaic period

Greek art produced between c. 720/700 and 480 bce.

archaios

Greek word for old, used to denote something old in style.

architrave

The lower section of the entablature that rests on column capitals.

aryballos

A small perfume container with a single handle and narrow spout.

ashlar masonry

Square-cut stone, usually in the form of long rectangular blocks.

Asklepieion

A temple dedicated to Asklepios.

assemblage

A group of objects found together in an archaeological context or deposit such as a grave.

Astarte

Phoenician goddess of fertility and sex often represented as a nude figure.

asty

The urban center of a Greek colony.

Athena Promachos

Athena 'foremost fighter,' featuring an armored Athena striding forward with a spear.

Attic art

Coming from Athens, named for Attica.

aulos

A double flute played through a mouthpiece set on the ends.

baroque style

Style of Hellenistic sculpture defined by dynamic compositions using diagonal lines and exaggerated musculature.

bead-and-reel

Decorative pattern made of alternating round beads and narrow vertical disks.

bilingual vase painting

Vases in which one side is painted in black-figure technique and the other in red-figure technique.

black-figure

A style of painted pottery where the silhouette of the figure is painted with black slip.

black-glaze

A style of painted pottery where the surface is covered entirely with black slip.

boule

A council of citizens chosen to make decisions for the polis.

bouleuterion

The meeting place of the boule.

Bronze Age

The era of Greek culture characterized by the use of bronze for tools and weapons.

burnishing

Rubbing an unfired, leather-hard vessel to give it a smooth, polished surface.

caryatid

A statue of a woman that serves as a support in place of a column.

cella

The central room of a temple where the cult statue would be placed.

centauromachy

A term used to describe battles between centaurs and humans.

Centuripe vases

Cinerary pottery decorated with architectural relief and painted figures.

chamber tomb

A burial in which the remains are placed inside an open chamber.

chiaroscuro

Italian term referring to the use of a range of tones in an image to create three-dimensionality.

chiastic composition

The placement of similar components on a diagonal axis in the composition.

chiton

A thin rectangular garment buttoned at the shoulders and hangs down.

chitoniskos

Sleeved garment like a tunic.

chora

The area of the Greek countryside and farmland outside of the polis.

chous

Small wine pitcher used in the Anthesteria.

chronology, absolute

The dating of a work to a specific calendar year(s) through external evidence.

chronology, relative

The dating of a work by its relationship to other works.

chryselephantine

A work made of gold and ivory.

chthonic

Related to or belonging to the underworld.

cist grave

A form of burial in which the grave is lined with stone slabs.

classical period

Greek art produced between c. 480 and 330 bce.

clerestory

An upper story of a wall with openings or windows into the main space.

comparanda

Known works of art used as benchmarks to analyze the qualities of a work.

continuous narrative

Narrative image in which multiple scenes are set in a continuous frieze.

contraction

The practice in Doric architecture of adjusting the distance between columns.

contrapposto

Representation of the human figure showing the shifting and balancing of weight.

corbel

A form of vaulting in which each course of the vault projects progressively further inward.

cornice

The edge of the roof or pediment.

Corridor House

A type of Early Helladic structure with main rooms that flanked corridors.

cultural patrimony

According to UNESCO, works of art designated as important for archaeology or history.

Cycladic

The designation for the Bronze Age on the Aegean islands.

cyclical narrative

Narrative image in which multiple scenes are set in separate panels.

Cyclopean

Walls made of massive, roughly worked stones.

Daedalic

Term used to signify early sculpture and relief of the seventh century.

dekate

A tithe offering.

diachronic

Looking at things and events in chronological order.

dinos

A spherical mixing bowl without handles.

Dionysiac

Subject matter relating to the god Dionysos.

dithyramb

A hymn that was sung and danced by a chorus.

Doric order

One of the orders of Greek architecture featuring columns with cushion capitals.

Doryphoros

Spear-Bearer, a bronze sculpture created by Polykleitos.

dromos

A long and narrow passage leading to the vaulted chamber of a tholos.

echinus

The round cushion-shaped section of the Doric capital.

egg-and-dart

Decorative molding made of alternating ovoid eggs.

Egyptianizing style

A work made in imitation of a traditional Egyptian style.

ekklesia

The assembly of Athenian citizens voting on civic issues.

ekphora

The procession bearing the body of the deceased from the home to the tomb.

emporion

Greek term for a large market or trading center.

engraving

A metalwork technique in which lines are incised into the metal.

entablature

The superstructure of a building above the colonnade.

entasis

The vertical tapering and swelling of columns.

epaulia

Term designating the reception held by a bride in her new home.

ephebos

Term for a young man of eighteen to twenty years of age.

epiblema

A large and heavy mantle.

epinetron

A device worn over the knee to protect against abrasion when working with wool.

erastes

Term for the 'lover,' the adult partner in a pederastic relationship.

eromenos

Term for the 'beloved,' the youthful partner in a pederastic relationship.

erotes

Term for the small winged youths who appear in art.