5-Early-Christian-and-Byzantine

ARCH 19

EARLY CHRISTIAN AND BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

GLOSSARY

PARTS OF AN EARLY CHRISTIAN BASILICA:

ATRIUM Open forecourt surrounded by arcades

NARTHEX Roofed area for penitents immediately in front of the main church doors

NAVE Central aisle of the church

BALDACHINO Columnned canopy over the main altar of the church

APSE Semi-circular sanctuary behind the main altar

BEMA Raised platform for the clergy

CHOIR Enclosed area for cloistered monks or nuns

CANCELLI Screen enclosure around a choir

AMBO Raised pulpit on either side of the altar from which the epistles or gospels were read

BAPTISTERY Separate structure form the basilica used for the rite of baptism

PENDENTIVE Construction device for a dome on a square base; triangular elements supporting the dome

SQUINCH Construction filling in the upper angles of a square room so as to form a base to receive an octagonal or spherical dome.