History and Theory of Architecture Exam Review

Flashcards testing core concepts from Prehistoric, Egyptian, Classical Greek, Roman, Byzantine, Islamic, Romanesque, and Gothic architectural history.

What is Prehistory?

The period between the first stone tools and the invention of writing

Which event marks the end of Prehistory?

Invention of writing systems

Which were the 3 major energy paradigms?

Foraging, Farming, and Fossil Fuels

Foraging societies were primarily:

Nomadic

Farming societies are associated with:

Agrarian societies

Terra Amata is significant because it is:

The earliest known man-made dwelling

Terra Amata is located in:

France

Which feature was found in Terra Amata?

Hearth

Cro-Magnon dwellings in Ukraine were constructed primarily from:

Mammoth bones and hides

What were the major constraints of the foraging energy paradigm?

Food and fire materials

The Neolithic Revolution occurred around:

10,000 BC

The Neolithic Revolution led to:

Sedentary towns and cities

Çatalhöyük is located in:

Turkey

Which unusual feature characterized Çatalhöyük?

No streets

Why were there no doors at Çatalhöyük?

Improved defense through roof access

Most buildings in Çatalhöyük were made from:

Local clay

Skara Brae is located in:

Scotland

Why was much of Skara Brae built underground?

Protection from harsh climate and winds

At Skara Brae, even the beds were made from:

Stone

Stonehenge was built approximately between:

3,000–2,000 BC

The heavier stones at Stonehenge weighed approximately:

25–30 tons

Which two stone types are found at Stonehenge?

Bluestone and Sarsen

On the summer solstice, the sun rises over the:

Heel Stone

Stonehenge helped ancient people:

Establish an annual calendar

Stonehenge represents a shift from:

Simple shelter to a broader worldview

Which factor was NOT listed as a major influence on architecture?

Democracy

The most important river in Egyptian civilization was:

Nile

The Nile was important because it:

Supported transportation and agriculture

Egypt had access to which seas?

Mediterranean Sea and Red Sea

The most abundant building material in Egypt was:

Clay

Why do many Egyptian buildings survive today?

Durable stone and minimal rainfall

Limestone was most common in:

Northern Egypt

Sandstone was most common in:

Southern Egypt

Granite was most common in:

Southern Egypt

Egyptian pharaohs were viewed as:

Gods

Polytheism means:

Belief in many gods

Why were tombs more important than houses?

Egyptians believed in the afterlife

Which structure was the first pyramid in Egypt?

Step Pyramid of Djoser

The Step Pyramid was formed by stacking:

Mastabas

The Sphinx combines:

Human head + lion body

What are the three Classical Greek architectural orders?

Doric, Ionic, Corinthian

Which characteristic is associated with the Doric order?

Massive columns with no base and a simple capital

Which characteristic is associated with the Ionic order?

Volutes at the capital and an ornamental base

Which characteristic is associated with the Corinthian order?

Acanthus leaf carving at the capital

Which Greek architectural order is described as the most slender?

Corinthian

What is the pronaos?

The entrance porch of a Greek temple

What is the naos?

The main interior chamber of the temple

What is a peristyle?

A surrounding colonnade

What mathematical proportion was discussed in relation to Greek architecture?

The Golden Ratio

What is the approximate value of the Golden Ratio?

1.618

Why did the Greeks place significant importance on proportion?

They sought a quality of perfection worthy of the gods

According to the lecture, Greek temples were considered:

Houses for the gods

What does the Greek term "polis" refer to?

A city/community of families related by common ancestors

Which three major structures are identified as part of the Acropolis of Athens?

Parthenon, Erechtheion, Propylaea

What are Caryatids?

Sculpted female figures used as architectural supports

What type of construction was characteristic of Greek architecture?

Post-and-lintel construction

What major structural development distinguished Roman architecture from Greek architecture?

The use of arches and arcades

What is notable about the Pantheon?

A perfect circle can be inscribed in its plan and section

What is the function of the oculus in the Pantheon?

Allows light to enter from the roof

Why were coffers used in the Pantheon's dome?

They reduced the weight of the dome

What was the Forum Romanum?

A major public space/forum in Rome

Which of the following was one of the Imperial Forums?

Forum of Trajan

What was distinctive about the Theater of Marcellus according to the lecture?

It was a semi-circular theater

The Colosseum is also known as the:

Flavian Amphitheater

According to the lecture, the Colosseum can essentially be understood as:

Two semi-circular theaters combined

What were the two major functions of the Basilica Ulpia?

Legal hearings and large-scale public assembly

What type of vaults are specifically identified in relation to the Basilica of Maxentius?

Barrel vaults and groin vaults

What was unusual about the Baths of Caracalla?

They were multifunctional, including washing, school, restaurant, and library functions

Who wrote The Ten Books on Architecture?

Vitruvius

According to Vitruvius, which three qualities should architecture possess?

Firmness, Commodity, Delight

What did the Edict of Milan of 313 CE give to Christianity?

Legitimacy for the Christian religion

Who was responsible for moving the Roman capital from Rome to Constantinople?

Constantine

In what year did Constantine move the capital to Constantinople?

324 CE

When did the Western Roman Empire fall?

476 CE

What was the Eastern Roman Empire later commonly called?

Byzantine Empire

Which emperor is particularly associated with the Byzantine Empire in the lecture?

Justinian

What architectural feature is particularly important in Byzantine architecture?

Large domes

What is a pendentive?

A spherical triangular form that transitions between a circular dome and its supporting structure

Why are pendentives important in dome construction?

They allow a circular dome to transition onto a polygonal or square supporting structure

Hagia Sophia was located in:

Constantinople

Which emperor was responsible for the major rebuilding of Hagia Sophia?

Justinian

What happened to Hagia Sophia after the Muslim conquest of Constantinople?

Minarets were added shortly afterward

What are the major influences on Islamic architecture identified in the lecture?

Geography, geology, climate, religion, socio-politics, and history

In what year did the Prophet Muhammad die?

632 CE

What happened to Islamic architecture as Islamic territory expanded?

It adopted features from different cultures it encountered or conquered

Which cultures are specifically mentioned as influencing Islamic architecture?

Egyptian, Byzantine, Roman, and Persian

What does "spolia" refer to?

The reuse of architectural elements or structures from earlier buildings

What is the Ka'ba?

A cube-shaped sacred structure in Mecca

Where is the Ka'ba located?

Mecca

What is one function of a minaret?

To call Muslims to prayer

According to the lecture, what was another function of the minaret?

Watchtower

Where is the Great Mosque of Kairouan located?

Tunisia

What is notable about the column capitals at the Great Mosque of Kairouan?

There are many different types of column capitals

What is the primary significance of the qibla in a mosque?

It establishes the direction Muslims face during prayer

Muslims face which direction during prayer?

Mecca

What is a mihrab?

A niche indicating the direction of prayer

What was the Ka'ba's approximate form?

Cube-shaped

When was the Dome of the Rock constructed?

691 CE

Where is the Dome of the Rock located?

Jerusalem

According to the lecture, Islamic architecture developed partly through:

Adapting architectural features from cultures encountered during expansion