Ancient Greece
What is the most famous temple of Ancient Greece, and to which goddess was it dedicated?
The Parthenon is the most famous temple of Ancient Greece. It was dedicated to the goddess Athena.
What did the Romans invent that allowed them to engineer domes, arches and vaults?
The Romans invented concrete, which allowed them to engineer domes, arches and vaults.
What is the name of the most important building made during the time of the Byzantine Empire?
The church of Hagia Sophia is the most important structure made during the time of the Byzantine Empire.
What is an amphora?
An amphora is an ancient Greek vase with painted scenes on it that was used to store household items like wine, water and olive oil.
Information or an idea spread by an organized group to influence people’s opinions, especially by not giving all the facts, is called ________________.
Propaganda is information or an idea spread by an organized group to influence people’s opinions, especially by not giving all the facts.
What is the function of an aqueduct?
The function of an aqueduct is to carry water from rivers and streams in the mountains into cities and towns.
When the Roman empire was split in half, which side of it became the Byzantine Empire?
When the Roman empire was split in half, the eastern half became the Byzantine Empire.
What is symmetry? Describe how we see it used in Greek architecture.
Symmetry means similar parts facing each other. (construction of Parthenon is symmetrical)
What is a fresco? Give the name of the city in which many frescoes were found.
A fresco is a painting made on wet or dry plaster. Many frescoes were found in Pompeii.
What is a mosaic? Give the name of the materials that it is made of.
A mosaic is a piece of art made up of little squares of tile, glass or another substance, called tesserae.
List and describe the three orders of Greek columns.
The three orders of Greek columns are Doric (simple), Ionic (scrolls on the capital) and Corinthian (elaborate, decorated with ancanthus leaves, used by the Romans).
What is the name of the most famous temple in Rome? Name one of its architectural features.
The most famous temple in Rome is called the Pantheon. It has columns, a dome, an oculus... and much, much more!
Why did the Romans copy Greek sculptures? Give the name of a sculpture that is a Roman copy of a Greek original.
Rome conquered Greece and adopted many parts of Greek culture, including its art. The sculpture of Laocoon and His Sons is a copy of a Greek original.
How does Hagia Sophia symbolize the transformation of the physical into the spiritual?
Hagia Sophia is a huge building that is made to look weightless and full of light from its many windows to symbolize the transformation of the physical into the spiritual.
What are the three types of Greek sculpture? Describe each.
The three types of Greek sculpture are Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic. Archaic sculptures are very stiff, Classical sculptures show physical perfection and Hellenistic sculptures are very dramatic.
What were imperial portrait sculptures used for? Give an example of one imperial portrait sculpture.
Imperial portrait sculptures were used as propaganda to show the power of Rome and its emperors. One example is the sculpture of Augustus of Prima Porta.
A posture in which the standing human figure is poised such that the weight rests on one leg (called the engaged leg), freeing the other leg, which is bent at the knee, is called what?
This posture is called contrapposto.
Describe the symbolism in the mosaic of the Emperor Justinian and his attendants.
Justinian symbolizes the unity of church and state - on his left side are state officials, on his right side are priests. On his head is a halo showing that he has a spiritual power as well as the political power of being emperor.