Ancient art and Archeology Mid term

Minoan

A bronze age civilization that developed on the island of crete around 2000-1450 BCE. The minoans are known for ther palace complexes, like knonoss, and their contributions to early art and architecture

Mycenaean

an ancient greek civilization that succeeded the minoans (1600-1100 BCE) the mycenaeans were known for their fortifies palaces and their role in the Trojan war, Homers epics

Megaron

a large rectangular hall, often part of a mycenaen palace complex, with a central hearth and throne, this layout was a precursor to the later greek temple desgin

Thalassocracy

maritime or naval-based empire. the minoans are often describes as a thalassocracy due to their naval dominance in the mediterranean

Akrotiri

an ancient minoan city loacted ont he island of thera (santorini), perserved by volcanic asj in the 17th century BCE its art and architecture provide valuable insights into the minoan civilization

Knossos

the largest minoan palace complex, located int he island of crete, it was known for its complec layout, frescoes and advanced infrastructure, including plumbing systems

Pylos

major mycenean city-state, famous fro the discovery of the “Pylos tablets” whihc were written in linear B script. it was a ceneter of administration and trade

Mycenae

an important mucenaen city-state, known for its archaeological site, including the Lions Gate and the impressive tholos tombs (beehive-shaped burial structures) it was the setting for many stories in greek mythology, including those of agamemnon

Kylix

A type of ancient greek drinking cup, usually with a shallow bowl and two handles it was decorated with scenes from mythology and daily life

Stirrup jar

a type of pottery from the Aegean, typically used for storing liquids such as oil or wine. the sirrup shape fo the handle ressembles the stirrup of a hourse

Lions Gate

a monumnetal entrance to the citidel of Mycenae, featuring two lion sculptures flanking the gate, this is one of the most iconic examples of mycenaean architecture

Gravel Circle a

an important buiral cite at mycenae, containing royal graves and significant treasures, including gold masks, jewlrey, and weapons

international style

a style of art and decoration that spread across the mediterranean during the late bronze age, seen in both minoan and mycenaean cultures, it is characterized by intricate designs, vibrant colors, and comopolitian influence

walkover survey

archeological method where researchers walk over a site, looking for aruface artifacts to identify ancient settlements, roads, or other features, this method is often used in field archeology

LiDAR

A remote sensing technology that uses laser light to measure distances. In archeology, it is used to map ancietn structures hidden beneath vegitation or soil

polis

a greek city-state, such as athens or sparta. the polis was the central focus of greek political, social, and cultural life

panhellenism

the idea pr movement of initing all greek-speaking people, regardless of their city state affiliation, it is often associated with panhellenic festivities like the olymic games

delphi

a major religious santuray in ancient greece, dedicated to appollo it was home to the famous orcle of delphi where people sought prophetic advice form the priestess pythia

olympia

a santuary in greece dedicated to zeus where the ancient olymic games were held the games were a central part of greek religious and cultural life

siphnian treasury at delphi

a small temple-like structure at delphi, built by the people of siphonos to house offerings to apollo, it is known for its elaborate sculpture, including a frieze depicting the gods

severe style

an early phase of greek sculpture, emerging around 480 BCE it feature more realistic proportions and expressions than earlier, archaic styles, but still retains some stylized elements

Eretria

(templs of Apollo)

an ancient greek city on the island of euboea, famous for its temples and the temple of apollo daphnephoros, whihch was known for its fine architiecture and religious significance

Nestors Cup

a ceramic vessel found at the site of Pylos inscribed with a verse in linear b it is believed to reference the legendary king nestore, a figure in homers “illiad’ and odyssey

Lefkandi

a major archeological site on the island of euboea, known for its large 10th century BCE burial structures and artifcats, offering important insights into early greek dark ages

Kouros/ Kore

scupltures representin young men (kouros) and women (kore) from the archaic period of greek art. these statues are often life-sized and were used in religious and funerary contexts

genelaos monument from samos

a famous funerary monument from the island of samos, showcasing a sculputre depicting a heroic figure, it is an example of the use of sculpture in commemorating the dead

tholos tomb

a beehive-shaped burial tomb, common in mycenaean greece, these monumental tombs were often used for royal burials and are known for their impressive stone construction

doric architecture

one of the three classical orders of ancient greek architecture it is characterized by simple sturdy columns and a frieze with out decoration

Ionic architecture

another classical order of greek architecure Ionic columns are more slender and elegant, with distinctive volutes (spiral scrolls) on the capitals

Linear b

an ancient script used by the mycenaeans for administrative purposes it was deciphered in the 1950s and is the earliest known form of greek

Hero cult

(eretrias west gate cemetery)

a form of religious practice in ancient Greece where individuals or groups venerated deceased heros, often though rituals, offerings, and hte construction of tombs or monumnets, at eretria the west gate cemetery contains notable examples of hero cults

greek colonization

the expansion of greek culture through the establishment of colonies across the mediterranean and black sea starting around the 8th century BCE these colonies spread through greek lanuage, art, and political ideas

the tyrranicides

a histical figure or group associated with the overthrow of tyrants in ancient greece, specifically the killing of the tyrant hipparchus by harmodius and aristogeiton in athens, which became symbol of democracy

black figure pottery

a style of ancient greek pottery in which figures are painted in a black slip (liquid clay) and then fired, resulting in black illustration on a red back ground common in the archaic period

red figure pottery

a later style of greek pottery where figures are left in the natural red color od th eclay and the background is painted black techinique allowed for greater detail and more naturalistic depictions of human figures

temple of aphaia on aegine

a well-preserved temple on the isand of aegina, dedicated to the goddess aphaia it is a prime example of Doric architecture and feaures a famous series of sculptures includeing the aegina marbles

parthenon

the iconic temple dedicated to the goddess athena located on the acropolis of athens built during the 5th century BCE it is considered a master peice of greek architecure and one of the most enduring symbols of ancient greece

Erechtheum

another temple on the acropolis of athens dedicated to athena and posiedon famous for its asymmetrical design and the porch of the caryatids, where sculpted female figures replace traditioanl columns

chryselephantine sculpture

a type of sculpture made from gold and ivory, used in greek temples for cult statues of gods and goddesses the most famous example is the statue of athena parthenos by phiias in the parthenon

orthoonal grid plan

a type of urban planning used in greek cities, where streets are laid out in a grid pattern with right angles, creating a highly organized and efficient layout

vergina tombs

an important archeological site in northern greece where the tombs of ancient macedonia royalty were discovered the most famous of these is the tomb of philip II fathe rof alexander hte great

theater of epidaurus

a well preserved ancient greek theater loacted in epidaurus famous for its exceptional acoustics and symmetircal design it was used for dramatic performances often religious festivities

temple of athena nike at athens

a small temple located to the goddesses athena and nike it is elegant ionic desgn and its relied sculptures depicting the goddess nike

grave stela and precint of hegeso

a well-known funerary monument from athens the grave stela of hegeso features a relief sculpture showing the deceased women inspecting jewelry it is an example if high quality funereay art fromt he classical period

Nike of Paionios

a famous marble sculpture depicting the goddess Nike (victory) created bt hte sculpture paionios. it was erected at olympia to commemorate a military victory and is celebrated for its dynamic pose

Berlin Painter

an influential ancient greek painter known for his work in th ered figure pottery style his works often featured geaceful and delicated figures with a focus on narrative scenes

riace bronzes

two large statues of warriors found off the coast fo riace in southern italy they date back to the 5th centruy BCE and are renowned for their realistic representation of the human form

Poseidonia/ Paestum

an ancient greek city located in southern italy famous for its well preserved doric temples paestum was a greek colony in the western mediterranean

praxiteles

a renowned ancient greek sculptur famous for his representations of gods and goddesses with a nore naturalistic and graceful style his most famous work is the statue of aphrodite of knidos

Athenian treasury at Delphi

a small building at the santuary of Delphi constructed by the athenians in the 5th centry BCE, it is meant to house offerings to apollo and is known for its frieze depicting the panathenaic games