Art of the Ancient Aegean: Vocab

Question 1

What is the Cycolpean Masonry? What is an example?

Answer 1

Method of construction using huge blocks of roughly hewn stone (names after the Cyclopes one-eyed giants of great strengths in Ancient Greek)
Key Words: Hug blocks, stone
Example: The wall of the Citadel (Mycenaean)

Question 2

What is Corbelling?

Answer 2

Construction method where in building materials are arranged in courses (horizontal layers) with each course extending further than the wall than the course below.

Question 3

What is Ashlar Masonry? What is an example?

Answer 3

Type of stone construction in which stones are fully dressed (cut and finished) to a uniform size, shape, and surface appearance.
Example: “Palace,” at Knossos (Crete)

Question 4

What is a Megaron?

Answer 4

Main hall of a Mycenaean palace, taking the form of a rectangular room preceded by a roofed porch fronted by columns.

Question 5

What is a Relieving triangle?

Answer 5

Area located above a span or opening to lessen the weight bearing down; may be empty or filled with thinner, lighter material than surrounding work.