Classical Art: Roman Terms Flashcards
Barrel Vault
also known as a tunnel vault, wagon vault, or wagonhead vault, is an architectural element formed by the extrusion of a single curve along a given distance. The curves are typically circular in shape, lending a semi-cylindrical appearance to the total design
Bust
a sculpted or cast representation of the upper part of the human figure, depicting a person’s head and neck, and a variable portion of the chest and shoulders. The piece is normally supported by a plinth. Busts were typically used as a decorative element in homes, gardens, and public spaces.
Ceasar
a title of imperial character. A term used for a powerful Roman ruler, emperor, or dictator. It derives from the cognomen of Julius Caesar, a Roman dictator. The change from being a familial name to a title adopted by the Roman emperors can be traced to AD 68, following the fall of the Julio–Claudian dynasty.
Coffer
a series of sunken panels in the shape of a square, rectangle, or octagon in a ceiling, soffit, or vault. These sunken panels were often used as decoration for a ceiling or a vault.
Composite Capital
a capital combining the volutes of the Ionic order capital with the acanthus leaves of the Corinthian order. The Composite order is essentially treated as Corinthian except for the capital, with no consistent differences to that above or below the capital.
Cuirass
a piece of armor that covers the torso, formed of one or more pieces of metal or other rigid material. It protects the torso of the wearer above the waist or hips. Originally it was a thick leather garment covering the body from neck to waist, consisting of a breastplate and a backpiece fastened together with straps and buckles and a gorget, a collar protecting the throat.
Equestrian Statue
a statue of a rider mounted on a horse. A full-sized equestrian statue is a difficult and expensive object for any culture to produce, and figures have typically been portraits of rulers or, in the Renaissance and more recently, military commanders.
Groin Vault
Formed by the intersection at right angles of two barrel vaults of equal sizes. Lighter in appearance than the barrel vault, the groin vault required less buttressing.
Oculus
a circular opening in the center of a dome or in a wall. Originating in antiquity, it is a feature of Byzantine and Neoclassical architecture
Paganism
a term first used in the fourth century by early Christians for people in the Roman Empire who practiced polytheism, or ethnic religions other than Judaism.
Pointed Arch
(a.k.a. ogival arch, or Gothic arch) is an arch with a pointed crown, whose two curving sides meet at a relatively sharp angle at the top of the arch.
Round Arch
an arch formed in a continuous semicircle. The round arch was the foundation of Rome’s architectural mastery and the enormous extent of building projects throughout the ancient world. It allowed the Romans to build larger buildings, longer roads, and better aqueducts.
Segmental Arch
a type of arch with a circular arc of fewer than 180 degrees. It is sometimes also called a scheme arch. The segmental arch is one of the strongest arches because it is able to resist thrust.
Triumphal Arch
a free-standing monumental structure in the shape of an archway with one or more arched passageways, often designed to span a road. It consists of a flat entablature or attic on which a statue might be mounted or which bears commemorative inscriptions. The main structure is often decorated with carvings, sculpted reliefs, and dedications. The Roman triumphal arch was used to commemorate victorious generals or significant public events such as the founding of new colonies, the construction of a road or bridge, the death of a member of the imperial family, or the ascension of a new emperor.
Truss
an assembly of members such as beams, connected by nodes, that create a rigid structure. In engineering, a truss is a structure that “consists of two-force members only, where the members are organized so that the assemblage as a whole behaves as a single object
