ARTH 1 Final Vocab

Apse

A large semicircular or polygonal recess on an end wall of a building, often containing an altar.

Arcade

A succession of arches, each counter-thrusting the next, supported by columns or piers.

Basilica

A long, rectangular church with a central nave, side aisles, and a rear apse.

Brass

An alloy of copper and zinc used for decorative metalwork and lighting.

Clerestory

The highest part of a nave wall, pierced by windows to admit light above the side aisles.

Cloisonné

An enameling technique where metal strips (cloisons) are filled with vitreous enamel.

Flying buttress

An arched bridge extending from the upper exterior nave wall down to a solid pier, supporting the vault's lateral thrust.

Gilding

The application of a thin layer of gold leaf to a surface.

Horseshoe arch

An arch with a rounded top and concave sides, characteristic of Moorish/Islamic architecture.

Hypostyle hall

A large, covered space containing a 'forest' of columns arranged in rows to support the roof.

Illumination

A manuscript decorated with gold, silver, or brilliant colors.

Ivory

Carved elephant or walrus tusk, used for small, intricate sculptures.

Iwan

A rectangular, vaulted space, walled on three sides with one end entirely open.

Jamb

The vertical side post of a door or window, often decorated in Romanesque/Gothic portals.

Manuscript

A hand-written book.

Mihrab

A niche in the qibla wall indicating the direction of Mecca.

Minaret

A tower attached to a mosque from which the faithful are called to prayer.

Monastery

A complex of buildings where monks live, study, and worship.

Mosaic

Images created by arranging small pieces (tesserae) of colored glass, stone, or gold.

Mosque Types

1. Hypostyle: Column-filled, based on Muhammad's home; easy to expand.
2. Four-Iwan: Dominated by a courtyard with four large vaulted spaces.
3. Central-Plan: Dominated by a massive central dome, often influenced by Hagia Sophia.
4. Chinese/Regional: Combines typical Islamic features with local architecture (e.g., in Xi'an).

Muqarnas

Ornamental, honeycomb-like or stalactite-shaped vaulting in Islamic architecture.

Nave

The central, tallest aisle of a basilica church, flanked by side aisles.

Pagoda

A tiered tower with multiple eaves, common in East Asian Buddhist temples.

Pendentive

A triangular, concave section of a sphere that transitions a square base to a circular dome.

Pilgrimage

A journey to a sacred place to view relics, influencing Romanesque architecture.

Pointed arch

A structural arch with a pointed apex, reducing lateral thrust and allowing higher construction (Gothic).

Qibla Wall

The wall in a mosque oriented toward Mecca.

Rayonnant

The 'radiant' phase of French Gothic, emphasizing excessive decoration and large windows.

Reliquary

A container, often ornate, for holding sacred relics (remains of saints).

Rib vault

A vault supported by intersecting stone ribs, allowing for lighter, higher ceilings (Gothic).

Side aisle

A passageway on either side of the nave, lower in height.

Stained glass

Colored glass used to form decorative or pictorial windows.

Stupa

A dome-shaped Buddhist shrine holding relics.

Synagogue

A Jewish house of prayer and study.

Tesserae

Small, tiny pieces of stone or glass used to make mosaics.

Tempera paint

A paint method using pigments mixed with a binder, often egg yolk.

Transept

The 'arms' of a cross-shaped church, crossing the nave at a right angle.

Triforium

A narrow gallery below the clerestory, located above the side aisle roof.

Tympanum

The decorated, semicircular space above a door portal, common in Romanesque portals.

Vellum (or Parchment)

A writing surface made from treated animal skin (calfskin for vellum).

Buddha (and symbols)

Siddhartha Gautama; symbols include the lotus (purity), wheel of dharma (teachings), and stupa.

Charlemagne

First Holy Roman Emperor; fostered the Carolingian Renaissance in the 9th century.

Constantine

Roman Emperor who legalized Christianity (Edict of Milan, 313 AD) and built early basilicas.

Gislebertus

French Romanesque sculptor known for his work at Autun Cathedral.

Jesus Christ

Central figure of Christianity.

Justinian I & Theodora

Byzantine Emperor and Empress who rebuilt Hagia Sophia.

Moses

Prophet in Abrahamic religions; known for leading the Exodus.

Muhammad

Founder of Islam.

Santiago de Compostela

A major pilgrimage site in Spain, believed to house the remains of St. James.

Shiva

Principal deity in Hinduism.

Virgin Mary

Mother of Jesus Christ.