Definitions (ch. 2 & 3)

Question 1

Cuneiform

Answer 1

Literally, “wedge-shaped”
- Earliest form of writing developed by the Sumerians

Question 2

Stylus

Answer 2

A pointed writing instrument

Question 3

Ziggurat

Answer 3

Huge stepped structures with a temple or shrine on top
- one of the Sumerians most impressive surviving archeological remains

Question 4

Registers/Horizontal Bands

Answer 4

How visual narrative can be organized on various mediums

Question 5

Votive Figures

Answer 5

Images dedicated to the gods

Question 6

Cylinder Seals

Answer 6

Usually less than two inches high, generally made of a hard stone so tiny but elaborate in size scenes but not wear away during repeated use
- The Sumerians used seals for identifying documents and establishing property ownership

Question 7

Portals

Answer 7

Grand entrances, often decorated

Question 8

Low Relief

Answer 8

Sculpted relief with figures that project only slightly from a recessed background

Question 9

Palace Complex

Answer 9

The group of buildings where the ruler governed and resided

Question 10

Lamassus

Answer 10

Combining the bearded head of a man, the powerful body of a lion or bow, the wings of an eagle, and the horned headdress of the god
- referencing the colossal guardian figures that stood at the gate of the citadel of Sargon II

Question 11

Crenellations

Answer 11

Notched walls from military defense

Question 12

Gold Leaf

Answer 12

Sheets of hammered gold

Question 13

Sarcophagus

Answer 13

A stone coffin

Question 14

Nemes Headdress

Answer 14

A striped gold and blue linen head cloth
- in reference to royal head gear worn by Egyptian royalty

Question 15

Ankh

Answer 15

The looped cross often seen in Ancient Egyptian art
- Symbolic of Everlasting life

Question 16

Scarab

Answer 16

Scarab/Khepri, “he who created himself”
- Referring to the scarab beetle, associated with creation, resurrection, the rising sun

Question 17

Conventions

Answer 17

In art, established ways of representing things

Question 18

Mastaba

Answer 18

a flat topped,
- one story building
- with slanted walls
- erected above an underground burial chamber

Question 19

Serdab

Answer 19

A small sealed room housing the ka statue of the deceased and a chapel designed to receive morning relatives and offerings

Question 20

Necropolis

Answer 20

Literally, “city of the dead”

Question 21

Clerestory

Answer 21

A row of tall narrow windows in the upper walls, not visible in the figure

Question 22

Portico

Answer 22

A projecting porch

Question 23

Canon of Proportions

Answer 23

An ideal system that was standard and pictorial relief throughout the Middle Kingdom

Question 24

Peristyle Court

Answer 24

A semi public courtyard surrounded by columns

Question 25

Hypostyle Hall

Answer 25

A vast hall filled with columns