Unit 3 vocab
Etruscan Art and Architecture
Fresco: A technique of painting on wet plaster. The paint is absorbed into the wall, becoming part of the surface itself.
Example: Tomb of the Triclinium, Tarquinia, Italy. Etruscan. c. 480–470 B.C.E. Tufa and fresco.
Necropolis: Greek for "city of the dead," referring to a large, elaborate burial site or cemetery.
Example: Necropolis of Cerveteri (Banditaccia necropolis), Italy. Etruscan. c. 7th to 3rd century B.C.E.
Stucco: A fine, plaster-like material used for wall decorations or moldings, often molded or carved for architectural ornament.
Terra cotta: A hard, reddish-brown ceramic clay used for building or creating pottery and sculpture.
Example: Sarcophagus of the Spouses, from Cerveteri, Italy. Etruscan. c. 520 B.C.E. Terra cotta.
Triclinium: A dining room in an ancient Roman or Etruscan house, distinguished by three couches arranged around a low table.
Example: Tomb of the Triclinium, Tarquinia, Italy. Etruscan. c. 480–470 B.C.E. Tufa and fresco.
Tufa: A porous, soft volcanic stone common in Italy that was used extensively by the Etruscans and Romans for tombs, temples, and walls.
Example: Tomb of the Reliefs, Cerveteri. Etruscan. c. 3rd century B.C.E. Tufa and stucco.
Tumulus (plural: tumuli): An artificial mound of earth and stones raised over a grave.
Example: Tomb of the Reliefs, Cerveteri. Etruscan. c. 3rd century B.C.E.
Tuscan order: An ancient architectural order, a simplified version of the Doric, with smooth, unfluted columns and a simple capital and base.
Roman Art and Architecture
Ashlar masonry: Carefully cut stones used in construction without mortar.
Atrium (plural: atria): The main open court of a Roman house.
Example: House of the Vettii, Pompeii, Italy.
Basilica: A large rectangular Roman building with a nave, aisles, and apse.
Example: Forum of Trajan complex, Rome, Italy.
Bust: A sculpture of the head and shoulders.
Example: Head of a Roman Patrician, Italy.
Coffer: A sunken panel in a ceiling or vault.
Example: The Pantheon, Rome, Italy.
Composite column: Combines Ionic volutes with Corinthian acanthus leaves.
Example: Arch of Titus, Rome, Italy.
Continuous narrative: Multiple scenes in a single frame.
Example: Column of Trajan, Rome, Italy.
Contrapposto: A pose with weight shifted to one leg.
Example: Augustus of Prima Porta, Imperial Roman.
Cubiculum (plural: cubicula): A small room off the atrium in a Roman house.
Example: House of the Vettii, Pompeii, Italy.
Cupola: A small dome on a roof.
Encaustic: Painting with colored waxes.
Example: Funerary Portraits from Roman Egypt.
Foreshortening: Creating depth by showing objects receding.
Forum (plural: fora): A public square in a Roman city.
Example: Forum of Trajan, Rome, Italy.
Horror vacui: Filling all space with detail.
Example: Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus, Rome, Italy.
Impluvium: Basin in a Roman atrium to collect rainwater.
Example: House of the Vettii, Pompeii, Italy.
Keystone: Central stone of an arch.
Mosaic: Art from small pieces (tesserae).
Example: Alexander Mosaic, Pompeii, Italy.
Oculus: A circular opening, typically in a dome.
Example: The Pantheon, Rome, Italy.
Peristyle: A courtyard surrounded by columns.
Example: House of the Vettii, Pompeii, Italy.
Perspective: Representing 3D on a flat surface.
Linear perspective: Depth using converging lines meeting at a vanishing point.
Orthogonals: The converging lines in linear perspective.
Atmospheric/aerial perspective: Depth by reducing clarity of distant objects.
Example: Second Style wall painting, Pompeii, Italy.
Pier: Upright support for structures like arches.
Spandrel: Triangular space between arches.
Tesserae: Small pieces used in mosaics.
Example: Alexander Mosaic, Pompeii, Italy.
Vault: Arched roof construction.
Barrel vault: Continuous semi-cylindrical vault.
Groin vault: Intersection of two barrel vaults.
Veristic: Realistic portraiture emphasizing age.
Example: Head of a Roman Patrician, Italy.