Ancient Roman Architecture Quiz
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Questions and Answers

What material did the Romans use to create strong and lasting fired brick?

Volcanic ash called pozzolana.

What function did the amphitheatre serve?

  • Open air venue for performances and entertainment (correct)
  • Residential building
  • Place of worship
  • Private meetings

    • The hypocaust system was used to cool Roman baths.

    False

    What is the name of the building typically used in ancient Rome as a court of law or for public assemblies?

    <p>Basilica.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The largest round room in the Pantheon temple in Rome is ______ feet in diameter.

    <p>142</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a portico?

    <p>A porch leading to the entrance of a building</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What significant architectural feature did Romanesque churches typically use for roof support?

    <p>Barrel vaults.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following terms refers to a building occupied by a community of monks or nuns?

    <p>Abbey</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What natural disaster preserved the House of Vettii in Pompeii?

    <p>The eruption of Mount Vesuvius.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Romanesque architecture is heavily influenced by Gothic design.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The architectural term ______ refers to a triangular space above a door often decorated.

    <p>tympanum</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What influence did the Dorians and Ionians bring into Greece?

    <p>Their own systems of wood building, which absorbed Aegean architecture and Egyptian design.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main room of a Greek temple called?

    <p>Cella</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following orders of Greek architecture uses a column with no base?

    <p>Doric</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the purpose of the entablature in Greek architecture?

    <p>It is the band of lintels that forms the upper part of the order.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a Pediment in classical architecture?

    <p>A low-pitched triangular gable above a facade.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Corinthian Order is the oldest of the classical orders.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic is unique to the Ionic order?

    <p>It has capitals with twin scroll forms called Volutes.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The _______ is a decorative molded projection at the top of a wall.

    <p>Cornice</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Match the following terms with their definitions:

    <p>Abacus = A slab on the top of a capital of a column. Caryatid = Sculpted female figure used in place of a column to support an entablature. Metope = Any of the spaces between two triglyphs on a Doric frieze. Fluting = A decorative motif consisting of vertical grooves on columns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which example exemplifies the Ionic order?

    <p>Temple of Athena Nike</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the significance of the Agora in Greek city-states?

    <p>It served as the central marketplace and gathering place.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which architectural feature corrects the optical illusion of concavity in columns?

    <p>Entasis</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of structure is an aqueduct?

    <p>A structure that brings a constant flow of water from distant sources into cities.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Roman architecture did not draw from Greek predecessors.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Where is the Marble Door located in the Hagia Sophia?

    <p>In the southern upper enclosure, or gallery.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What architectural feature supports the roof of the Great Mosque in Cordoba?

    <p>Rows of columns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What characteristic shape do the arches in the Great Mosque of Cordoba have?

    <p>Horseshoe</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Christians built a new cathedral from scratch in Cordoba after reconquering it in 1236.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the mihrab in a mosque indicate?

    <p>The direction of Mecca.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of furnishings were typically used in Islamic interiors?

    <p>Low benches or couches</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What should prayer rugs be pointed towards during use?

    <p>Mecca</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which region became a dominant rug-producing area by the sixteenth century?

    <p>Persia</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Rugs from Bokhara have a typical repeating pattern of ______ forms.

    <p>lozenge</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a characteristic feature of Star Kazakh rugs?

    <p>Strong and bold patterns.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What architectural style do the balconies of Hedingham Castle feature?

    <p>Norman (Romanesque style)</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the central most defensible part of a castle called?

    <p>Keep</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The inner ward is the area directly surrounding the keep.

    <p>True</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What type of structure is a gatehouse?

    <p>Structure consisting of two large towers that support the gate.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What architectural feature supports the roof beams in the hall of Hedingham Castle?

    <p>Great stone arch</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is the main structural characteristic of the Cistercian abbeys built in southern France?

    <p>Austere vaulted churches with a cross-shaped plan.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which feature is typical of medieval Spanish architecture?

    <p>Geometric Calligraphy</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The Mosque is considered a 'house of God' in Islamic architecture.

    <p>False</p> Signup and view all the answers

    In Islamic architecture, what is the function of a minaret?

    <p>To call to prayer and summon worshippers.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What major historical event contributed to the spread of Islamic traditions in Europe?

    <p>The Crusades</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What is a significant feature of the Great Mosque at Damascus?

    <p>A vast central hall with flanking aisles.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    What does the term 'Mihrab' refer to in a mosque?

    <p>A small niche marking the direction to face towards Mecca.</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Which of the following correctly describes the design of houses in medieval times?

    <p>Wooden box-like structures with gable roofs</p> Signup and view all the answers

    The __________ was a key element central to the design of Islamic architecture.

    <p>Mosque</p> Signup and view all the answers

    Study Notes

    Introduction to Greek Architecture

    • Dorians and Ionians migrated and invaded Greece, bringing distinct wood-building systems and integrating Aegean and Egyptian architectural influences.

    Greek Temples

    • Roots in Aegean architecture; served as homes for gods.
    • Temples featured a gabled roof supported by columns and a decorative entablature.
    • Limited design variations focusing on ceremonial functions.

    Key Architectural Features

    • Cella: Enclosed space within the temple dedicated to deities.
    • Peristyle: Outer row of columns, typically six or eight at the gabled ends, enhancing visual structure and rhythm.

    Orders of Greek Architecture

    • Doric Order:
      • Simplest and oldest; characterized by stout columns without bases and a plain capital.
      • Entablature comprises architrave, frieze (featuring triglyphs and metopes), and cornice.
      • Notable for the Parthenon, which employs the golden ratio (1:1.618).
      • Refinements include slight curvature and inward-leaning columns, enhancing aesthetic appeal.
    • Ionic Order:
      • Taller, thinner columns with scroll-shaped capitals (Volutes) suggesting a more ornate design compared to Doric.
      • Features 24 flutes, detailed cornices, and a continuous sculpted frieze.
      • Exemplified by the Temple of Athena Nike; considered feminine in design.

    Common Architectural Terms

    • Entablature: Upper part of the order, including architrave, frieze, and cornice.
    • Pediment: Triangular gable above entrances; often decorated with sculptures.
    • Frieze: Horizontal decorative band in the entablature.
    • Capital: Decorative element at the top of a column, varies by order.

    Secular Interiors

    • Agora: Central marketplace and assembly area in Greek city-states, often surrounded by civic buildings.
    • Stoa: Covered walkway or portico providing shelter for commerce and social interactions.
    • Andron: Reserved space in Greek homes for men, typically used for dining and gatherings.

    Greek Domestic Architecture

    • Simple designs centered around open courtyards; often built with sunbaked bricks.
    • The Klismos chair: Notable furniture design; characterized by curved legs and an open seat, highlighting Greek craftsmanship.

    Roman Influence on Architecture

    • Roman structures drew heavily from Greek architecture; utilized Etruscan influences from Italy and adaptations following the conquest of Greece.
    • Introduced the Tuscan order, a simplified Doric style, and the Corinthian order, known for its ornate features, including acanthus leaves.

    Advances in Structural Engineering

    • Aqueducts: Ingenious constructions for water transportation; exemplified by the Pont du Gard.
    • Arches and Vaults: Employed in vast structural designs; included barrel vaults and groin vaults enhancing interior space.
    • Dome: Circular ceiling supported around its perimeter; exemplified by the Pantheon.

    Public Spaces

    • Amphitheatres: Open-air venues designed for performances, featuring tiered seating and intricate passage systems.
    • Baths: Complex structures utilizing vaults and hypocaust systems for heating; arranged in sequences of temperature-controlled rooms.

    Roman Temples

    • Less focus on temples compared to Greeks; incorporated Ionic and Corinthian features in designs like the Maison Carrée in Nîmes.### Architecture Overview
    • The Rotunda features a 142-foot diameter room topped with a half-spherical dome and Corinthian order walls.
    • The dome includes five tiers of coffers, with an oculus as the only light source, enhancing the interior's grandeur.
    • Portico: an entryway with a roof supported by columns, leading to a building entrance.

    Secular Buildings

    • Basilica: a large room historically used as a courtroom with a central nave, aisles separated by arcades, prominent in Roman architecture.
    • House of Vettii in Pompeii represents a luxurious Roman residence preserved by Vesuvius' eruption in 79 AD, providing insight into ancient domestic life.
    • Typical Roman house floor plan includes:
      • Fauces (entrance corridor)
      • Impluvium (rain basin)
      • Atrium (main entry room)
      • Triclinium (dining room)
      • Culina (kitchen)

    Roman Domestic Architecture

    • Roman houses typically one or two stories, often with a blank wall or shops facing the street; entrance leads to an open atrium.
    • Wall paintings in the House of Vettii exhibit artistic merit, depicting cherubs engaged in adult activities.

    Furniture and Furnishings

    • Roman chairs and thrones exemplify functional design, made from materials like wicker and bronze.
    • Roman beds featured bronze frames with decorative serpent heads, while functional design characterized Roman domestic furnishings.

    Romanesque Architecture

    • Carolingian architecture under Charlemagne (768-814) signals the beginning of Romanesque style, characterized by semicircular arches and thick walls.
    • Notable examples include the Palatine Chapel in Aachen, which features strong symmetry and a complex interior plan.

    Romanesque Churches

    • St. Michael's Church in Germany exemplifies Early Romanesque style, featuring a double-choir basilica layout and geometrically measured proportions.
    • The Abbey Church of La Madeleine in France features notable clerestory windows and sculptured capitals, representing Burgundian Romanesque art.

    Key Architectural Elements

    • Narthex: Entrance area separated from the nave, historically used for catechumens and penitents.
    • Clerestory: Upper part of a church containing windows to permit light into the nave.
    • Tympanum: Decorative triangular space found above doors, often adorned with sculptures.

    Fortresses and Castles

    • Early castles utilized natural elevations for defense, transitioning from wooden to stone structures. Castle keeps served as fortified residential areas.
    • Hedingham Castle features a two-story hall with Norman arches and intricate stonework, indicative of luxurious medieval architecture.

    Monasteries and Abbeys

    • Monasteries served as centers for religion, learning, and art, marked by key architectural elements such as cloisters and simple, functional designs.
    • Cistercian abbeys in southern France feature an austere design, emphasizing a closed-off appearance with minimal openings.

    Rural Architecture

    • Serfs lived in simple wooden structures, often with shared spaces for humans and animals.
    • Scandinavian dwellings commonly featured tarred wood and a common structure for residential and agricultural use, showcasing economic necessities during that era.### Development of Towns and Housing
    • Farm families opted to move to towns, trading houses on land for protection within town walls.
    • Towns offered communal facilities such as churches and markets.
    • Town houses were multi-level structures with wooden floors, often crowded in narrow streets.
    • In Cluny, France, 12th-century houses featured shared side walls (row houses) and small courtyards for ventilation.
    • Ground floors often served as shops or workshops, with living spaces above reached by narrow stairs.
    • Common waste disposal methods included open gutters; bathing often took place in communal bathhouses.
    • Life expectancy averaged 29 years, heavily impacted by epidemics and plague.
    • Furniture storage was limited; chests became significant for storage, often elaborately carved.

    Islamic Influence in Architecture

    • Muhammad's journey from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE marked the start of the Muslim calendar; Islam spread through Syria, Persia, and North Africa.
    • Islamic design avoided human or animal depictions, instead using geometric and calligraphic patterns inspired by the Koran.
    • Mosques serve as prayer halls; key features include the mihrab (niche facing Mecca), mimbar (pulpit), and minarets (towers for calling to prayer).

    Key Mosques and Palaces

    • Great Mosque at Damascus: Originally a temple, it features a central hall with timber-roofed aisles, reflecting late Roman basilica influences.
    • Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo: Includes a square open court, a roofed prayer hall, and a minaret, showcasing abstract plaster decoration.
    • Palaces, like those in Isfahan, were adorned richly due to restrictions on figurative art but allowed representational art in interior decoration.
    • Hagia Sophia: A monumental structure in Istanbul with a vast dome and intricate mosaics; significant for its architectural innovations in converting to a mosque.

    Cordoba and the Great Mosque

    • The Great Mosque in Cordoba used a vast columned hall design, with horseshoe arches creating a visually striking space.
    • Post-reconquest, Christians converted mosques in a less sunlight-friendly manner, altering their original designs.

    Palace of Alhambra

    • An exemplary display of Moorish design with open courtyards, fountains, and intricate carvings.
    • Court of Lions: Notable for its central fountain surrounded by detailed archways and filigree decorations.
    • Court of Myrtles: Features pools and decorative tiles, showcasing the aesthetic richness of the palace.

    Islamic Furnishings and Rugs

    • Furnishings in Islamic interiors were minimal, with low benches often covered by textiles and carpets.
    • Weaving techniques led to the development of intricate rugs characterized by geometric and floral designs, suitable for prayer.
    • Prayer rugs were designed with directional forms to orient towards Mecca, often featuring symbolic architectural elements.

    Significance of Islamic Influence in Spain

    • Islamic culture impacted Spain through military and cultural exchanges during the Crusades and previous expansions.
    • Cordoba became a melting pot of Muslim, Jewish, and Christian cultures until the Inquisition led to the expulsion of Muslims and Jews in 1492.
    • Architectural styles in medieval Spain reflect a blend of Romanesque and Islamic design features, notably in the Great Mosque of Cordoba and its conversions.

    Summary of Key Architectural Elements

    • Mihrab: Indicates direction to Mecca in mosques.
    • Mimbar: Pulpit for Koran readings in mosques.
    • Minaret: Tower structure for calling to prayer.
    • Characteristic elements of Islamic architecture include domes, arches, and decorative tilework, which were deeply rooted in cultural and religious practices.

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    Description

    Test your knowledge of ancient Roman architecture with this quiz. Explore various elements from materials like fired brick to the functions of iconic structures such as the amphitheatre and the Pantheon. Discover the significance of architectural features like hypocaust systems and porticos in Roman society.

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