Vocabulary - Module 4

Question 1

Acropolis

Answer 1

High point of the city

Question 2

Colonnade

Answer 2

A series or row of columns usually spanned by lintels

Question 3

Corinthian

Answer 3

One of the architectural orders of Ancient Greece, it’s characterized by a slender column with a capital carved into acanthus leaves

Question 4

Doric

Answer 4

The most plain and simplest of the three Greek architectural orders. The Doric order is characterized by capitals without bases, simple rectangular-shaped capitals, and a frieze consisting in an alternating rhythm of triglyphs and metopes. The upright form of the column with its simple fluting may have in its origin been wood (a sacred tree) with spears (trophies of one’s fallen enemies) bound around it.

Question 5

Entablature

Answer 5

he part of a building above the columns and below the roof. The entablature has three parts; the architrave, frieze, and pediment

Question 6

Engaged column

Answer 6

A half-column attached to a wall

Question 7

Gorgon

Answer 7

In ancient Greek mythology, a hideous female demon with snake hair. Medusa was the most famous Gorgon and was capable of turning anyone that looked at her into stone.

Question 8

Ionic

Answer 8

Considered to be the matronly order and its etymology suggests captive women (not maidens or virgins). Caryatids are considered to belong to this order. It is more elegant and slender in its proportions than the Doric order and its chief characteristic is the pair of volutes (or curls) in its capital, which suggests the hair of the matron.

Question 9

Metopes

Answer 9

A plain or decorated slab on a Doric frieze. It alternates with the triglyphs

Question 10

Pediment

Answer 10

The pediment is the triangular area contained within the peak of a temple’s roof. It often contains sculptural ornament narrating events from the lives of the gods.

Question 11

Peripteral

Answer 11

A peripteral colonnade consists of a single row of columns on all sides.

Question 12

Peristyle

Answer 12

A Classical colonnade around a building or courtyard

Question 13

Phidias

Answer 13

The name of the chief architect, designer, and sculptor of the complex of temples on the Acropolis at Athens

Question 14

Polis

Answer 14

Greek independent city-state that may include one main city and satellite towns

Question 15

Porch of Maidens

Answer 15

The chief decorative feature on the small temple known as the Erechtheion (or Erechtheum) located on the Acropolis at Athens

Question 16

Caryatids

Answer 16

columns in the form of women, support the entablature (part of the roof) of the porch.

Question 17

Pronaos

Answer 17

The area, or vestibule, before the naos in a Classical period temple.

Question 18

Stylobate

Answer 18

The upper step of the base or podium of a Classical temple

Question 19

Triglyph

Answer 19

A three-grooved panel on a Doric frieze; it alternates with metopes