Architecture History

Where did Christianity originate, geographically?

In Judea, an Eastern province of the Roman Empire.

What was a major influence on Early Christian Architecture?

Roman art and architecture.

What is a basilica in Early Christian Architecture?

A rectangular building used for worship, adapted from Roman halls of justice.

What role did Constantine play in Early Christian Architecture?

He promoted Christianity, built churches like St. Peter’s, and issued the Edict of Milan.

What are the architectural characteristics of Early Christian Architecture?

Simplicity in design & treatment, and Coarseness in execution.

What type of construction system was used?

Trabeated and Arcuated.

What is the principal structure?

Basilican church.

What is a “campanile”?

A bell tower used in the exterior of Early Christian churches.

What is the purpose of the “arch of triumph” in churches?

It served as an entrance to the sanctuary.

What was the typical plan orientation of basilican churches?

Churches typically faced east with an elongated plan.

What material was commonly used for walls?

Concrete rubble or concrete finished with brick or stone.

What kind of vaults and roofs were used?

Rafters over naves, barrel vaults over aisles, and domes over apses.

What is a ciborium or baldachino?

A canopy over the altar supported by columns.

What are the main parts of a basilican church?

Propylaeum, Atrium, Cantharus, Narthex, Nave and Aisle, Sanctuary, Choir, Apse, Tribune, Bemma, Altar.

What is the Propylaeum in Early Christian architecture?

The entrance building of a sacred precinct, whether a church or an imperial palace.

What is the function of the Atrium in a church complex?

An open rectangular forecourt surrounded by arcades, forming the approach to the church.

What is a Cantharus used for?

A basin with water used for "ablution," a form of cleansing before entering the church.

Where is the Narthex located and what is its purpose?

A covered area between the atrium and the church, assigned to penitents.

What is the Nave in Early Christian churches?

The central aisle extending from the narthex to the choir or chancel, usually lighted by clerestory windows.

How are the aisles related to the nave?

Aisles run parallel to the nave on either side and are usually half its width.

What is the Sanctuary in Early Christian churches?

The most sacred part of the church, located at the terminal and containing the high altar under a baldachino.

What is the Choir in church architecture?

The area in front of the high altar, enclosed by low walls called "cancelli," and equipped with pulpits or ambos for readings.

What is an Apse or Apsis?

A semicircular or polygonal space at the terminal of the church housing the sanctuary, oriented westward.

What is the Tribune in a church?

The throne or seat of the officiating bishop.

What is the Bemma?

A raised stage reserved for the clergy.

What is the purpose of the Altar in Catholic churches?

The table upon which the Eucharist, commemorating Christ’s Last Supper, is celebrated.

What is an Ambulatory?

A passageway around the apse or a covered walk in a cloister.

What is an Ambo or Ambon used for?

A raised stand for reading Gospels or Epistles.

What is the Antepodium?

A clergy seat behind the choir.

What is a Baldachin (or Ciborium?

A canopy over an altar or tomb, supported by columns.

What is a Baptistery?

A church part or building for baptism.

What is a Cancelli or Chancel?

A low screen enclosing the choir.

What is a Clerestory?

Upper windows above the roofline for lighting.

Who are the Clergy?

Religious leaders like priests and elders.

What is a Dais?

A raised platform for speakers or dignitaries.

What is an Esonarthex?

The inner narthex of a church.

What is an Exonarthex?

The outer covered walk before the inner narthex.

What is a Font?

A basin for baptismal water.

What is an Oratory?

A small private chapel with an altar.

What is a Reredos?

A decorative wall behind an altar.

What is a Transept?

A cross arm of the church forming a cruciform plan.

What is a Tribune (in this context)?

A raised platform for speaking.

What is a Triforium?

A gallery above the aisle, below the clerestory.

What is a Sacristy?

A room for storing sacred vessels and vestments.

What is a Sepulcher?

A tomb or relic container, often beneath the altar.

What city did Constantine rename to become the capital of the Byzantine Empire?

Byzantium, renamed as Constantinople (now Istanbul), also called “New Rome”.

What influenced the architectural style of the Byzantine Empire?

Late Roman and Early Christian architecture.

Why were flat roofs and domes used in Byzantine architecture?

Due to the semi-tropical climate of the region.

What was the "Iconoclastic Movement"?

A decree banning the use of statues as representations, leading to increased use of painted figures.

Who were the two key figures in Byzantine architectural history?

Theodosius II and Justinian.

What was Justinian’s most influential architectural project?

The Church of Hagia Sophia (Divine Wisdom) in Constantinople.

What is the architectural characteristics of Byzantine architecture?

Simplicity in external design and Richness in internal treatment.

What system of construction is prominent in Byzantine architecture?

Fusion of domical construction and classic columnar style.

What building materials were commonly used in Byzantine architecture?

Bricks for walls and domes; marble and concrete for finishes.

What elements were absent in Byzantine churches that were present in earlier Christian ones?

Campanile (bell tower) and atrium.

What architectural feature gave Byzantine domes a vertical impression?

Grouping small domes or semi-domes around a large central dome.

What are the three types of Byzantine domes?

Simple dome, Compound dome, Melon/Onion domez

What are the three Byzantine capital types?

Cushion, Bird & basket, Wind swept acanthus

What symbols and imagery were commonly used in Byzantine ornamentation?

Endless knot, peacock, Chi Rho, symbolic figures, groups of saints, sacred monograms of Christ.

What decoration is usually found in the dome of a Byzantine church?

Head and shoulder of Christ.

What is depicted in the pendentives of Byzantine churches?

The four evangelists.

What popular mosaic styles were used in Byzantine pavements?

Opus Sectile, Opus Tessellatum, Opus Vermiculatum, Opus Alexandrinum.

Name the most important Byzantine church in Constantinople.

Hagia Sophia.

What is the significance of St. Mark’s Church in Venice?

It is the prototype of the Greek cross church plan.

What is the smallest cathedral in the world?

The Little Metropole Cathedral in Athens.

What is a cushion capital?

A cubiform capital with rounded-off angles toward the bottom.

What is a dosseret block?

A deep block placed above a capital to support wide voussoirs of an arch.

What is a pedentives?

Spherical triangles that transition a circular dome to a polygonal base.

What is Romanesque architecture a combination of?

Roman and Byzantine architecture, but primarily Roman in style.

What triggered the replacement of timber with masonry in Romanesque architecture?

The need for fire resistance.

How did climate influence Romanesque architecture in the North and South?

North: large windows and high-pitched roofs; South: small windows, arcades for sun shading, and flat roofs.

What was the main religion-related influence in Romanesque architecture?

The rise of papal power, monasteries as learning centers, and the spread of Christianity by missionaries.

What is feudalism in the context of Medieval architecture?

A property system where land was exchanged for services, leading to construction of castles and manors

What type of building became most significant during the Romanesque period?

Churches, particularly abbey churches.

What is the time period generally associated with Romanesque architecture?

1000 to 1150 CE, peaking between 1075 and 1125 CE.

What are the architectural characteristic of Romanesque architecture?

Sober & Dignified, and Desire to articulate in order to produce unified compositions.

What is the primary structure in Romanesque architecture?

Church.

What kind of plan was commonly used in Romanesque churches?

Latin Cross Plan, oriented westward.

What are common roof vaulting systems in Romanesque architecture?

Quadripartite (four-part) and Sexpartite (six-part) rib and panel vaulting.

What are the typical parts of a church-monastery complex?

Monastic church, Cloister Court, Inner Court, Common Court, and Support Facilities.

What are the different types of a cross?

Latin, Calvary, Patriarchal Or Cross Of Lorraine, Papal, Lorraine, Greek, Celtic, Maltese, Saint Andrew‘S, Tau, Pommée, Botonée, Fleury, Avellan, Moline, Formée, Fourchée, Crosslet, Quadrate, and Potent.

What characterizes Central Italy’s Romanesque architecture?

Use of ornamental arcades.

Name a major Romanesque cathedral in Pisa?

Pisa Cathedral – with Baptistry, Campanile, and Campo Santo; designed by Dioti Salvi.

What is the Campanile of Pisa famous for?

It’s the Leaning Tower of Pisa – a circular tower with 8 arcaded storeys.

What is the plan of the Baptistry in Pisa?

Circular in plan.

What is the Campo Santo in Pisa?

A cemetery.

What plan is commonly used in North Italian Romanesque churches?

Basilican Church Plan.

What influences are seen in South Italian Romanesque architecture?

Byzantine (mosaics) and Muslim (geometric marble patterns).

What are the features of French Romanesque churches?

Southern France: aisle-less naves and pointed arches. Northern France: twin towers at the façade.

What are key features of German Romanesque architecture?

Eastern and western apses, side aisle entrances, circular and octagonal tunnels, polygonal domes, and arcaded galleries.

Who built Aix-La-Chapelle Cathedral and why?

Emperor Charlemagne; it was his royal tomb-house and became the coronation site for Holy Roman Emperors.

What is a notable Romanesque church in Cologne?

The Church of the Apostles.

What is Worms Cathedral known for?

A typical German Romanesque church built of bricks.

What is the historical significance of Treves Cathedral?

It was a Roman Emperor’s residence and remained a bishopric seat for 1,500 years.

What are Norman Romanesque churches in England known for?

Exceptionally long plans, massive scale, large round columns, and carved geometric decoration.

What is a Billet in Romanesque architecture?

A moulding made of short raised shapes arranged at regular intervals.

What is a Dormer Window (Lucarne)?

A vertical window projecting from a sloped roof.

What is a Groin in architecture?

The curved line formed where two vaults intersect.

What is a Helm Roof?

A roof with four diagonal faces meeting at the top.

What is Feudalism?

A system where land is exchanged for service.