MODULE 2: THE AEGEAN AND ANCIENT GREECE Flashcards
Abacus
square block at the top of a column capital
Acropolis
the highest point of an ancient Greek city; became synonymous with that at Athens
Attic bases
stepped circular bases on columns, typically used by Ionic and Corinthian columns
Bouleuterion
government building in ancient Greek cities
Canephora
a type of caryatid that has a basket on its head
caryatid
a stone carving of a draped female figure, used as a pillar to support the entablature of a Greek or Greek-style building
Capital
the decorative uppermost section of a column that sits atop the shaft
Cella
the main chamber in an ancient building; in ancient Greek temples, this generally held the monumental cult statue
Chryselephantine
term that describes an object made from gold and ivory
Coffer/Coffered
recessed portion of a structure surrounded by a raised molding, most commonly seen in ceiling construction
Colonnade
series or rows of columns
Corbeled arch
an arch formed by stone or brick blocks in horizontal rows or courses that are cantilevered inward and meet at the topmost course
Cyclopean
the use of uncut or roughly hewn stones used for construction
Diphros
a type of Greek stool
Engaged columns
rounded portion of a column attached to a wall or pier
Entablatures
the part of a building above a column but below the roof that consists of three horizontal moldings: architrave, frieze and cornice
Fluted, flute or fluting
vertical channelling most commonly used on column or pilaster shafts
Frescoes
a type of painting on plaster that can be dry (fresco secco) or wet (buon fresco or “true” fresco)
Frieze
a horizontal band, part of a building found on the entablature between the architrave and the cornice; any painted or sculptured band in a building
Horns of consecration
decorative bull’s horns found in ancient Crete and Mycenae
Key or Fret pattern
a “key” is a type of simple fret pattern that uses straight lines with 90 degree angles that repeat
Klismos
popular type of ancient Greek chair with splayed legs with a curved crest rail and set back of 90 degrees or greater
Metopes
found in the frieze of certain architectural orders, the panels between triglyphs and usually with high-relief carving
Niello
black metallic alloy used as a decorative inlay technique
Pediment
the triangular space at the end of a building in classic architecture, inclusive of the moldings
Peristyle
a colonnade around the cella and porches in classical architecture
Polis (plural:poleis)
Ancient Greek term for an independent city-state
Stoa (plural: stoae)
a covered colonnaded walkway with a wall to one side
Stylobate
top stop step of the platform supporting the columns in classical Greek temple
Tholos tomb
beehive shaped tomb in Mycenaean architecture
Thronos
ancient Greek throne chair or chair for an important citizen, often with arms
Triglyphs
projecting part of a Doric frieze with three grooves, usually alternating with metopes
Vitruvian scroll
a decorative type of wave pattern in which the lines spiral and curve back on themselves
Volutes
a spiral, scroll-like ornament, found in Greek Ionic and Roman Corinthian capitals
