Ancient Greek and Roman Architecture - AP Art History
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Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of ionic order temple construction?
Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of ionic order temple construction?
Triglyphs and metopes are a characteristic of the doric order temple, but were abandoned by the time the ionic order became the favored architectural tradition in favor of an uninterrupted frieze that could house relief sculpture.
Triglyphs and metopes are a characteristic of the doric order temple, but were abandoned by the time the ionic order became the favored architectural tradition in favor of an uninterrupted frieze that could house relief sculpture.
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Why did the Doric order fall out of style during the height of Classical Greece?
Why did the Doric order fall out of style during the height of Classical Greece?
The Doric order was heavy and squat. It was followed in the fourth century by the Ionic, which boasted more slender columns and longer proportions. It was considered more aesthetically pleasant than the Doric order, so Classical Greeks desired it more than the Doric order at the height of the artistic tradition from this period.
The Doric order was heavy and squat. It was followed in the fourth century by the Ionic, which boasted more slender columns and longer proportions. It was considered more aesthetically pleasant than the Doric order, so Classical Greeks desired it more than the Doric order at the height of the artistic tradition from this period.
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The image above is an aerial view of the Temple of Athena Nike on the Athenian Acropolis (410-405 B.C.).
(Image by José-Manuel Benito from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple\_of\_Athena\_Nike.)
What about the Temple of Athena Nike makes it unique as compared to the other buildings on the Athenian Acropolis?
The image above is an aerial view of the Temple of Athena Nike on the Athenian Acropolis (410-405 B.C.).
(Image by José-Manuel Benito from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple\_of\_Athena\_Nike.)
What about the Temple of Athena Nike makes it unique as compared to the other buildings on the Athenian Acropolis?
You can see that the building is Ionic by noting the bases on the columns (the larger circles around the outside of the circles that denote columns). Most other buildings on the acropolis were made of limestone, but the small size of this temple allowed architects to use pentelic marble.
You can see that the building is Ionic by noting the bases on the columns (the larger circles around the outside of the circles that denote columns). Most other buildings on the acropolis were made of limestone, but the small size of this temple allowed architects to use pentelic marble.
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What is misleading about the architectural and sculptural evidence that remains of the Greek artistic tradition?
What is misleading about the architectural and sculptural evidence that remains of the Greek artistic tradition?
There is evidence that the white piece found in Greece were actually brightly colored, giving us an image of Greece that is much different than the white marble we think of when we think of Classical Greece.
There is evidence that the white piece found in Greece were actually brightly colored, giving us an image of Greece that is much different than the white marble we think of when we think of Classical Greece.
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Which of these statements about Greek temples is most accurate?
Which of these statements about Greek temples is most accurate?
Temples epitomized the Greek way of life. They formed a balanced and aesthetically pleasing background to the daily lives of the Greeks, not necessarily places of active worship for the masses. They were built to be seen from outside, where their harmony spoke of the rationality of life.
Temples epitomized the Greek way of life. They formed a balanced and aesthetically pleasing background to the daily lives of the Greeks, not necessarily places of active worship for the masses. They were built to be seen from outside, where their harmony spoke of the rationality of life.
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Why do classical Greek temples not contain arches?
Why do classical Greek temples not contain arches?
There is a long-standing myth that the Romans invented the arch. This is simply not true, arches can in fact be found among ancient Greek ruins. They were mostly used underground. While the Romans didn’t invent the arch, they were the first to put it to wide use.
There is a long-standing myth that the Romans invented the arch. This is simply not true, arches can in fact be found among ancient Greek ruins. They were mostly used underground. While the Romans didn’t invent the arch, they were the first to put it to wide use.
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Which of the following best describes Ancient Greek architecture?
Which of the following best describes Ancient Greek architecture?
While many early civilizations sought to show the importance of a building by its size, the Greeks aimed, not so much for immense structures, but properly proportioned ones. We are still using their standards of proportion on art and architecture today. This doesn’t mean that there were no large Greek temples, but this was not a common characteristic.
While many early civilizations sought to show the importance of a building by its size, the Greeks aimed, not so much for immense structures, but properly proportioned ones. We are still using their standards of proportion on art and architecture today. This doesn’t mean that there were no large Greek temples, but this was not a common characteristic.
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The Parthenon in Athens is characterized by which of the following?
The Parthenon in Athens is characterized by which of the following?
The Greeks discovered that the human eye will interpret certain straight lines as curved and vice versa. When someone looks at a long row of columns they will appear to be crooked. To compensate for this they made the columns bulge outward and the steps curve slightly.
The Greeks discovered that the human eye will interpret certain straight lines as curved and vice versa. When someone looks at a long row of columns they will appear to be crooked. To compensate for this they made the columns bulge outward and the steps curve slightly.
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Why are Greek temples smaller than temples found in Egypt?
Why are Greek temples smaller than temples found in Egypt?
Some Greek temples are in fact massive, but for the Greeks religion and art were centered on man. The people who used the temples were in some ways the focal point, not the afterlife, or strange and exotic deities. Because of this the temples were supposed to be more in proportion to the people who used them.
Some Greek temples are in fact massive, but for the Greeks religion and art were centered on man. The people who used the temples were in some ways the focal point, not the afterlife, or strange and exotic deities. Because of this the temples were supposed to be more in proportion to the people who used them.
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What is a major difference between Greek and Roman temples?
What is a major difference between Greek and Roman temples?
The Romans copied many stylistic elements from Greek temples. There was, however, a major difference. Greek temples were built freestanding and without regard for the other buildings around them. Roman temples, on the other hand, were built in conjunction with large municipal building projects and their final design took this into account.
The Romans copied many stylistic elements from Greek temples. There was, however, a major difference. Greek temples were built freestanding and without regard for the other buildings around them. Roman temples, on the other hand, were built in conjunction with large municipal building projects and their final design took this into account.
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Greek Doric temples _________________.
Greek Doric temples _________________.
Even centuries after temples were built from stone, they were still strongly influenced by their wooden predecessors. Characteristics that the original temples had, for structural reasons were copied in the stone forms. For instance, the round columns imitated tree trunks, and the square triglyphs above the columns were meant to look like horizontal beams sticking out of the face of the building.
Even centuries after temples were built from stone, they were still strongly influenced by their wooden predecessors. Characteristics that the original temples had, for structural reasons were copied in the stone forms. For instance, the round columns imitated tree trunks, and the square triglyphs above the columns were meant to look like horizontal beams sticking out of the face of the building.
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As time progressed Greek temple architecture changed. Columns _________________.
As time progressed Greek temple architecture changed. Columns _________________.
Ionic and Corinthian architecture was marked by taller, slenderer columns. Even the Doric temples, still built on the Greek mainland were less squat that their predecessors. The Greeks felt that this gave the buildings a lighter and more delicate feel.
Ionic and Corinthian architecture was marked by taller, slenderer columns. Even the Doric temples, still built on the Greek mainland were less squat that their predecessors. The Greeks felt that this gave the buildings a lighter and more delicate feel.
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The central area of a Greek temple, or cella, was _________________.
The central area of a Greek temple, or cella, was _________________.
The cella was the room that housed the statue of the patron deity. It was a place reserved almost exclusively to the priests. Many temples did have an antechamber to the cella where people could leave votive offerings.
The cella was the room that housed the statue of the patron deity. It was a place reserved almost exclusively to the priests. Many temples did have an antechamber to the cella where people could leave votive offerings.
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The relative width to length of the standard Greek temple ____________________.
The relative width to length of the standard Greek temple ____________________.
The formula used to determine the relative length and width of most temples was front columns: side columns = n:n2+1. This meant that the temple would be roughly twice as long as it was wide. The Greeks used mathematical equations as the basis for many of the proportions of their buildings, feeling that this added to their beauty.
The formula used to determine the relative length and width of most temples was front columns: side columns = n:n2+1. This meant that the temple would be roughly twice as long as it was wide. The Greeks used mathematical equations as the basis for many of the proportions of their buildings, feeling that this added to their beauty.
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Early temples in Greece were much more basic than the later ones such as the Parthenon in Athens. These newer temples innovated on the earlier design by ________________.
Early temples in Greece were much more basic than the later ones such as the Parthenon in Athens. These newer temples innovated on the earlier design by ________________.
Early Greek temples were similar to those of nearby cultures. That is to say they were simple 4 walled structures that housed the statue of a deity. As time progressed the Greeks innovated on this basic design by adding rows of columns on all sides, that screened, but did not entirely hide the inner structure.
Early Greek temples were similar to those of nearby cultures. That is to say they were simple 4 walled structures that housed the statue of a deity. As time progressed the Greeks innovated on this basic design by adding rows of columns on all sides, that screened, but did not entirely hide the inner structure.
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The Parthenon is the most famous example of what order?
The Parthenon is the most famous example of what order?
The Parthenon is a beautiful example of a rather severe style: the Doric order. The Doric order was one of the earliest Greek orders, but continued to be used on the Greek mainland even after other orders had been created. It was much less common in cultures that imitated Greek art, such as the Romans and Renaissance Europe.
The Parthenon is a beautiful example of a rather severe style: the Doric order. The Doric order was one of the earliest Greek orders, but continued to be used on the Greek mainland even after other orders had been created. It was much less common in cultures that imitated Greek art, such as the Romans and Renaissance Europe.
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What specific story does the Column of Trajan tell about Trajan's life?
What specific story does the Column of Trajan tell about Trajan's life?
The Column of Trajan tells the story of Trajan's victory against the Dacians. Over 128 feet high, the narrative wraps around the entirety of the column and tells the story over 625 feet of marble. As a result, the compositions are crowded and the entire story is difficult to view in its entirety.
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/RomaColonnaTraiana%26BasilicaUlpia.jpg
The Column of Trajan tells the story of Trajan's victory against the Dacians. Over 128 feet high, the narrative wraps around the entirety of the column and tells the story over 625 feet of marble. As a result, the compositions are crowded and the entire story is difficult to view in its entirety.
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/RomaColonnaTraiana%26BasilicaUlpia.jpg
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Who is depicted at the base of the column, and how are they depicted?
Who is depicted at the base of the column, and how are they depicted?
The defeated Dacians are depicted on the base of the column. They are shown as being worthy opponents to further highlight how significant the victory was for Trajan -- they appear strong, which shows how strong Trajan's army needed to be to defeat them. Above the defeated Dacians is a victory laurel to again highlight the significance of winning the battle against them.
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/RomaColonnaTraiana%26BasilicaUlpia.jpg
The defeated Dacians are depicted on the base of the column. They are shown as being worthy opponents to further highlight how significant the victory was for Trajan -- they appear strong, which shows how strong Trajan's army needed to be to defeat them. Above the defeated Dacians is a victory laurel to again highlight the significance of winning the battle against them.
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/RomaColonnaTraiana%26BasilicaUlpia.jpg
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What was originally on either side of the Column of Trajan in Trajan's Forum?
What was originally on either side of the Column of Trajan in Trajan's Forum?
Originally, two libraries stood next to the column. Each had manuscripts detailing the Roman-Dacian war. One had the manuscripts in Roman, and the other in Greek. (Lamassu guardians are associated with Assyrian architecture and art, and steles, such as the Stele of Hammurabi, are associated with the Babylonians.)
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/RomaColonnaTraiana%26BasilicaUlpia.jpg
Originally, two libraries stood next to the column. Each had manuscripts detailing the Roman-Dacian war. One had the manuscripts in Roman, and the other in Greek. (Lamassu guardians are associated with Assyrian architecture and art, and steles, such as the Stele of Hammurabi, are associated with the Babylonians.)
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/RomaColonnaTraiana%26BasilicaUlpia.jpg
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Triumphal Roman arches were made to celebrate and depict the success of leaders in __________.
Triumphal Roman arches were made to celebrate and depict the success of leaders in __________.
Roman triumphal columns were massive structures erected in the city of Rome to celebrate massive victories in battle against enemies. These arches were huge structures with minute details of the battle's events and signifiers of the people who were defeated. These triumphal arches were used as models for many later arches in European history, such as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
Roman triumphal columns were massive structures erected in the city of Rome to celebrate massive victories in battle against enemies. These arches were huge structures with minute details of the battle's events and signifiers of the people who were defeated. These triumphal arches were used as models for many later arches in European history, such as the Arc de Triomphe in Paris.
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