APAH KW-Chapter 7

The Roman Empire

Aisle

the portion of a basilica flanking the nave and separated from it by a row of columns or piers

Apotheosis

an elevation to a higher place

Apse

a recess, usually semicircular in the wall of a Roman basilica or at the east end of a church

Apsidal

apse shaped

Arcade

a series of arches supported by columns or piers

Arcuated

use of arches instead of post and lintel construction

Buttress

an exterior masonry structure that opposes the lateral thrust of an arch or a vault

Catacombs

subterranean networks of rock-cut galleries and chambers designed as cemeteries for burial of dead

Christogram

The three initial (chi-rho-iota) of Christ’s name in Greek

Classical

relates to imitations of the work of Greece and Rome in another time

Coffered

recessed decorative panels on the inside surface of a dome or ceiling

Continuous Narration

progressive stages a story are depicted in one continuous space

Domus

Roman suburban private house

Encaustic

a painting technique in which colored pigment is added to hot wax

Groin

edge formed by the intersection of two vaults

Insula

Roman urban apartment house

Nave

the central area of an ancient Roman basilica, demarcated from the aisles by piers or columns

Patricians

Roman freeborn landowners

Rustication

masonry with a very rough surface

Spandrel

a roughly triangular space enclosed by the curves of adjacent arches

Tempera

pigments in egg yolk

Triumphal Arch

free standing arch decorated to commemorate victories of various public events