ARTH Vocab Review

Anastole

A hairstyle with a central part and wavy locks brushed up, often associated with Alexander the Great.

Example of Anastole

This style was adopted by Pompey the Great, as seen in his portrait busts, to evoke his likeness to Alexander and legitimize his authority.

Ashlar Masonry

A construction technique using precisely cut, squared stone blocks, often without mortar.

Example of Ashlar Masonry

The Temple of Jupiter Optimus Maximus (509 BCE, Capitoline Hill) used _______ for its tufa foundation, reflecting early Roman engineering.

Atrium

The central reception hall of a Roman domus, often featuring an impluvium to collect rainwater.

Example of Atrium

The House of the Faun (Pompeii, 2nd century BCE) had a Tuscan-style ______, showcasing elite Roman domestic architecture.

Barrel Vault

A continuous, semicircular arch extending in depth to form a tunnel-like ceiling, allowing for larger interior spaces.

Example of Barrel Vault

The Porticus Aemilia (Rome, 193–174 BCE) used ______, demonstrating Roman concrete construction techniques.

Basilica

A large public building used for administrative, legal, and commercial purposes in Roman cities.

Example of Basilica

The ______ of Pompeii (80–70 BCE) served as a law court and public meeting space, featuring stuccoed columns that imitated marble.

Cavea

The seating area in Roman theaters and amphitheaters, divided by class into sections.

Example of Cavea

The Large Theater of Pompeii (2nd century BCE) had a ______ modeled after Greek theaters, with elite seating near the orchestra.

Contrapposto

A sculptural pose where the figure shifts weight onto one leg, creating a natural stance.

Example of Contrapposto

The Apulu (Apollo of Veii, ca. 510–500 BCE), from the Portonaccio Temple, shows a dynamic pose influenced by _______, blending Etruscan and Greek styles.

Cubiculum

A small bedroom or private room in a Roman house, often decorated with frescoes.

Example of Cubiculum

House of the Vettii (Pompeii, 1st century CE). Decorated with Third Style frescoes, featuring delicate ornamental motifs.

Fauces

The narrow entrance passageway leading from the street into a Roman domus.

Example of Fauces

The House of Sallust (Pompeii, 4th–1st century BCE) had a decorated _______, providing an impressive entrance to guests.

Impluvium

A shallow pool in the atrium of a Roman house, designed to collect rainwater from the roof.

Example of impluvium

The House of the Faun (Pompeii) features a central ________, showcasing typical domestic water management in elite Roman homes.

Manubial Dedication

A temple or monument built using war spoils.

Example of Manubial Dedication

The Temple of Mars Ultor (Forum of Augustus, 2 BCE) was a _______ vowed by Augustus after the Battle of Philippi, symbolizing military victory and divine favor.

Nodus

A hairstyle featuring a central roll of hair, commonly worn by elite Roman women, particularly Livia, the wife of Augustus.

Example of Nodus

The Bust of Livia (Arsinoe, Egypt, early 1st century CE) showcases the _______ hairstyle, emphasizing her dignity and matronly status.

Opus Caementicium

Roman concrete, made by mixing lime, volcanic ash (pozzolana), and rubble, which allowed for durable and large-scale structures.

Example of Opus Caementicium

The Sanctuary of Fortuna Primigenia (Palestrina, ca. 120–100 BCE) used _______, enabling its multi-terraced design.

Opus Vermiculatum

A fine mosaic technique using tiny tesserae to create highly detailed images.

Example of Opus Vermiculatum

The Alexander Mosaic (House of the Faun, Pompeii, late 2nd–early 1st century BCE), depicting Alexander the Great vs. Darius III, is an example of _______

Orthogonal Plan

A grid-like urban layout with streets intersecting at right angles

Example of Orthogonal Plan

The Etruscan city of Marzabotto (ca. 500–480 BCE) is one of the earliest examples of an _________, later used in Roman military colonies (castra).

Peristyle

A columned courtyard or garden at the back of a Roman domus or villa

Example of Peristyle

The House of the Faun (Pompeii) contained two _______, highlighting the importance of private outdoor space in Roman homes.

Podium

A raised platform supporting a structure, particularly temples.

Example of Podium

The Temple of Portunus (Rome, ca. 75 BCE) sits on a high _______, a characteristic feature of Italic temple design, differentiating it from Greek peripteral temples.

Pseudoperipteral

A temple design with engaged columns along the sides and back, rather than free-standing ones.

Example Pseudoperipteral

The Temple of Portunus (Rome, ca. 75 BCE) is _________, blending Greek and Roman architectural styles.

Stylobate

The top step of a temple’s platform that supports the columns.

Example of Stylobate

The Temple of Hera II (Paestum, ca. 460 BCE) has a Doric ________, which helps manage the visual illusion of curvature (entasis).

Suovetaurilia

A Roman ritual sacrifice of a bull (suus), pig (porcus), and sheep (taurus), often conducted during census ceremonies

Example of Suovetaurilia

The Altar of Domitius Ahenobarbus (late 2nd–early 1st century BCE) depicts a census and _______, emphasizing Roman religious and civic duties.

Tablinum

A room in a Roman domus, often used as the head of household’s office.

Example of Tablinum

In the House of the Faun (Pompeii), the _______ was placed between the atrium and peristyle, serving as a public and private space for business dealings.

Verism

A hyper-realistic portrait style emphasizing wrinkles, age, and individuality, often used in Republican Rome.

Example of Verism

The Head of an Old Man (Osimo, mid-1st century BCE) exemplifies _________, highlighting wisdom and experience as valued traits.

Wattle and Daub

A primitive building technique using woven wooden strips (wattle) covered with clay or mud (daub)

Example of Wattle and Daub

The Romulean Huts on Palatine Hill (8th century BCE) were constructed using __________, reflecting early Roman domestic architecture.