Etruscan, Roman & Early Christian Art Flashcards

Flashcards based on lecture notes covering Etruscan, Roman, and Early Christian Art.

Apse

Semi-circle domed area in a church, directing focus and housing the altar and priest.

Nave

Central part of a church where the congregation is located.

Narthex

Porch or entrance area of a church, used for gathering.

Nave Arcade

Columns and arches that separate the naves from the aisles in a church.

Etruscan tombs often contained…

Remains of the deceased, grave goods, and offerings

Triclinium

Greco-Roman Mediterranean dining room with three couches.

What materials were Etruscan temples primarily built with?

Wood, mud-brick, and terracotta.

What mythical event is depicted on the Portonaccio Temple?

The Third Labor of Hercules.

Veristic Portraiture

Extreme naturalism in Roman portraiture, exaggerating age and imperfections to show wisdom.

Patricians

Wealthy landowners who held positions like senators in the Roman Republic.

Key parts of a Roman Domus

Atrium(Public/Business space), Impluvium (sunken area in atrium to collect rainwater), Peristyle( a colonnade around garden), and Tablinum(Office of the paterfamilias)

Augustus of Prima Porta

Imperial Roman statue used as political propaganda, displaying an idealized Augustus as a leader and general.

Pax Romana

A time in Roman history that brought peace and prosperity to the empire.

Concrete advantages in the Colosseum

Is cheaper and Strong, using barrel and groin vaulted corridors to support seating and movement.

Engaged Columns

Columns that are attached to a building.

Pantheon

Roman temple to all gods, showcasing the emperor's power and architectural innovation with its concrete dome.

What does 'spolia' mean in the context of Roman architecture?

The reuse of materials from older Roman buildings.

What is significant about the oculus in the Pantheon?

It may have represented the sun.

Triumphal arches commemorated what?

Roman victories, featuring emperors in chariots.

Stoas

Covered colonnades decorated with statues and military standards.

Basilica

Rectangular building used for government functions and as a court of law, featuring an apse and clerestory.

What was the function of Trajan's column?

Political propaganda, showing the power of Rome over barbarians and Trajan as a capable leader.

Capital of the Nabataean empire

Petra, located in modern-day Jordan and known for trade and cultural diffusion.

Sarcophogus

Marble high relief tombs depicting Romans as heroic figures and the enemy as barbarians.

Ichthus

A reference on salvation

Constantine's sarcophagus contain…

references to Madonna and Child

Early Christian art frequently used images of…

Biblical scenes such as the Three Hebrews in the fiery furnace or Abraham's sacrifice.

How did early Christians adapt the Roman basilica for their worship?

By using its rectangular shape to accommodate large congregations, a design borrowed from Roman government functions.

Clerestory

The windows which allow light to come in

Codex

Ancient manuscript in textbook form, often made with luxurious materials and containing illustrations.

Temperate Paint

Is made from mixing egg yolks with water and pigment.

Spolia

The reuse of materials in architecture.

Byzantine Empire

The surviving part of the Roman Empire in the East, known for its art and architecture.

Justinian

A way to revive the Roman Empire.

Central plan Church

attention is directed towards the centre.

Hagia Sophia

the center piece of Constantinople, now called instanbul, which was commisioned by Justinian to show power of god and himself

Pendentives

Triangular segments on a spherical surface that allows for dome on a square

Icons

From Greek eikon, or image, signifies a holy image that provides conduit from the worshipper to Christ, to his mother Mary, or other saints.