History of Arch Exam 2

podium

A stone base that temples rest on in Rome

Thermae

Public baths

amphitheater

A Roman building type resembling two Greek theaters put together in an oval shape. It was used for gladiator battles and circus acts

Tuscan Order

A Roman order resembling the Doric order featuring slender, smooth columns that sit on simple bases; no carvings on the frieze or in the capitals

Opus Reticulatum

A Roman wall formed of pyramidal stones, their points set inward and their square heads set to form a diagonal grid. this made concrete walls lass likely to collapse and prettier.

Rotunda

A circular domed building or hall. EX: The Pantheon

True Arch

A curving semi-circular arch composed of voussoirs and a keystone through the method of centering.

citadel

A fortified city at the top of a hill built for protection.

Megaron

A fundamental division of space. Consisting of a short portico and a cella.

Stoa

A fundamental structural form in ancient Greek its a covered walkway that had a solid back wall, colonnade, solid side walls, and a simple shed roof

Apse

A recess, usually semicircular, in the wall of a Roman basilica or at the east end of a church. An exedra attached to an interior building typically separated by columns

Theater

A roman civic building that is constructed into a semi circular shape and used for plays, poetry and other literature entertainment

Triumphal Arch

A roman monumental structure in the shape of an archway with one or more arched passageways, often designed to span a road and to commemorate a great victory.

Exedra

A semicircular open area, with or without a roof, providing a continuous seat used as a meeting place.

Aqueduct

A structure that carries water over long distances typically through channels and tubes

Entasis

A subtle refinement that slightly convex curve in the shaft of a column or entablatures, introduced to correct the visual illusion of concavity produced by a straight shaft.

SemiDome

A surface representing one-fourth of a sphere and often covering an apse.

Buttress

The thickening of a wall to support or prop something up

What were the three classical orders? Describe the features of the Doric column (including its capital)

The three classic orders were doric, ionic, and corinthian. Doric columns have no base and have a simple capital on top of a fluted shaft. The capital is made of the echinus which folds outward and changes the diameter of the column. It's entablature consists of a plain architrave and alternating metopes and triglyphs in the frieze, which is crowned with a cornice.

Describe the fundamental design principles developed by the Ancient Greeks and explain how the they applied these to architecture.

At the core of this language lies the ancient Greek system of arithmetic proportions. Encoded with societal values, temples like the Parthenon were meant to be "read," not just seen, as their sculptural programs explained the Athenian position in the world.

How does the groin vault (also called the cross vault) differ from the barrel vault, and why was it created?

Barrel vaults are true arch vaults that have ribs in them that accentuate the ceiling. A groin vault is two barrel vaults that cross each other at 90-degree angles. It was created to have a large space for the market hall along the forum.

triumphal arch

Triumphal arches were built to commemorate military victories. The standing arches such as the Arch of Septimius Severus (203 CE) and the Arch of Constantine (315 CE) have three barrel vaults with the center one being the largest. They are heavily decorated and made of stone. They were the pride of the city.

Describe the similarities and differences between the Minoan and Mycenaean cultures, both which contributed to the development of Classical Greece.

Both of these cultures relied on trade from several other communities. The Mycenaean built fortresses and were apart of the Trojan war. The Minoan was more artistic.

A covered marketplace

Covered markets in the Trajan's in Rome (100-114 CE) were built out of brick-faced concrete. The building was a lager civic center and a cultural hub. It was constructed with groin vaults and supported by flying buttresses.

Coffer

Decorative recessed square (on ceiling surface).

In terms of planning a sacred site, what differences in the canon (design principles) can one see between Egyptian and Greek sites?

Greek sites don't have axiality characteristics. In contrast to the stiffness and formality of Egyptian art, frescoes and carvings at Minoan sites seem relaxed and open, emphasizing movement. Women held positions of high status, an unprecedented situation among contemporary civilizations.

terracotta

Hard-baked clay, used for sculpture and as a building material. It may be glazed or painted and are very colorful.

In what ways are Hadrian's Villa similar and different from the typical Roman atrium house in terms of design and function.

In what ways are Hadrian's Villa similar and different from the typical Roman atrium house in terms of design and function.

public bath

Public baths were buildings meant mainly for bathing but they also provided a space for exercise, relaxation, and other informal social gatherings. The Baths of Diocletian (commissioned by Emperor Diocletian) were built between 298-306 CE in Rome. This building was constructed using groin vaults and covered in marble veneer.

What is the recipe for Roman concrete? What was the advantage of using concrete over natural stone? Define opus reticulatum in your own words

Romans mixed pozzolana (volcanic ash or powder) with water, rubble, and lime to create the concrete. The concrete was more effective for bridges and harbors foundations where the natural rock wasn't sturdy enough. It also made curves and irregular shapes easier to achieve. " The strength, durability, and economy of concrete construction gave the Romans a versatile material for largescale building, and by the middle of the first-century CE they were using it with rapidly increasing architectural sophistication.". Opus reticulatum is a way of building a concrete wall. Stones shaped like square pyramids are stacked together with the square flat side facing out. The concrete was poured in and would fill the space between the spikes making it more stable than previous concrete walls and neater because of the flat face.

Peristyle

Row of columns around a building or court

Centering

The placement of voissoirs in a semi circle format typically with wooden scaffolding

Barrel Vault

The simplest form of vault consisting of an unbroken series of arches; it forms a tunnel like shape

Entablature

a horizontal, continuous lintel on a classical building supported by the classic order columns or a wall. it is comprised of the architrave, frieze, and cornice.

Basilica

a large oblong hall or building with double colonnades and a semicircular apse, used in ancient Rome as a court of law or for public assemblies.

Frieze

a ornamental broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration in part of an entablature on a temple.

Portico

a porch or entrance to a building consisting of a covered and often columned area

Impluvium

a rectangular basin in a Roman house that is placed in the open-air atrium in order to collect rainwater

Oculus

a round opening at the center of a dome

Temenos

a sacred enclosure built to separate the ancient Greek temple/ temples from the rest of the city

Tufa

a soft, porous, volcanic rock

Voussoir

a wedge-shaped or tapered stone used to construct an arch.

Atrium

an open-roofed entrance hall or central court in an ancient Roman house.

Ionic Column

an order of classical Greek architecture, recognized by volutes on the capital with molded base, and a fluted column. taller and skinnier than Doric

Ashlar

carefully cut and regularly shaped blocks of stone used in construction, fitted together without mortar

Tripartite

consisting of three parts architecture divided.

Describe the basic features of the ionic column and note where one can find this type of column of Acropolis. Where can one find caryatid columns?

ionic colunms have a base, fluted shaft, and capital with volutes (scrolls). Frieze and architrave are placed on top. This column can be found in the Erechtheion. Caryatid columns can be found there as well.

Metope

panel between the triglyphs in a Doric frieze, often sculpted in relief

Hemispherical Dome

round arch rotated around the full circumference of a circle; usually rested on a concrete cylindrical drum

Arena

the central area of an ancient Roman amphitheater where contests and spectacles were held

Forum

the most important site/meeting place in an ancient roman city being the center of political and social lives

Pediment

the triangular top of a temple that contains sculpture typically of who the temple is dedicated to

Cardo and Decumanus

the two major streets in a Roman town, perpendicular to each other leading out to to the gates

How did the Roman engineers direct the weight of the dome from its center?

they built walls 20 ft thick. They used less cement as they got closer to the center of the dome and lighter cement. To make the cement lighter they mixed hollow jugs and other materials. Coffers were also used to make the dome lighter and direct the weight. The oculus is the primary way they lighten the weight on the dome.

Tumulus

tombs in circular mound or rectangular structure stone base

Tholos

Meaning round. A temple with a circular plan

What materials were added to the concrete mixture of the Pantheon's dome? Why?

The foundation and lower walls were made with a heavy basalt aggregate. Brick and volcanic dust were added to the middle section. The center of the Dome was made of concrete with a light pumice stone. They did this for stability.

Describe the essential components of the atrium house. How does the design of a Roman insula differ?

The key components of an atrium house are the atrium, which was the first space of the house, that holds the impluvium and is surrounded by the bedrooms. The next space is the reception room called the tablinum. On the side of that room is the dining room called the triclinium. beyond that was the garden. The Insula is a multistory building that people lived in. The main area still surrounded an atrium but the individual buildings also had windows open to the streets.

Define 'true arch.' What are the fundamental elements which make up an arch (one term)? What is centering? Why is the keystone important?

A true arch is an arch that is a curved or semi-circle shape. Its made up of voussoirs, wedged stones. The keystone is the centermost stone, which is important because without the pressure it provides the arch would collapse. Centering is the timber scaffolding that is required to support the voussoirs as the arch is being constructed.

Pozzolana

A type of volcanic ash from Vesuvius used by the romans for mortar or for cement that sets when wet.

Keystone

A wedge-shaped stone placed in the crown of an arch.

Corinthian

Along with Doric and Ionian, distinct style of Hellenistic architecture; the most ornate of the three styles with leaves to decorate the capital. Skinnier than Ionic

Castrum

An Ancient Roman walled military camp with gridded rectangular layout, later a castle, fort, or fortified town

Corbel Arch/Vault

An arch/vault made up of stacking stones so that each successive stone slightly cantilevers to support the next one

Agora

An open-air market and gathering place in many ancient Greek city-states.

The Roman engineer Vitruvius wrote an architectural treatise called the Ten Books of Architecture, which he dedicated to the emperor Augustus. What can we learn about Roman architecture from this book?

From this book, we were able to learn how they design buildings and plan cities. We also learn that they dealt with more design problems than we do now, which was indicated by sections in the books that talked about military engineering and the design of machines.

Describe the classical order of the Temple of Hera. Define the term entasis and what it symbolized

Hera's temple at Paestum followed the classical doric order. Doric colunms have no base and have a simple capital on top a fluted shaft. Its entablature consists of a plain architrave and alternating metopes and triglyphs in the frieze, which is crowned with a cornice. The entasis is the change in column diameter present in doric columns and was thought to represent the muscle of an arm or leg. A visual expression of the physical load the shaft carries.

Who designed the Parthenon? Where were the relief sculptures of the Parthenon located and what did they depict? Using the text and Figure 2.21 describe the column layout of the Parthenon in plan.

Iktinos and Kallikrates built the Parthenon. The columns were doric with few Ionic layouts. The columns were slender and the frieze around the exterior of the cella was continuous. Other elements were dispersed to make it not so strict architecture. The relief sculptures were in the metopes and depicted the struggle of greeks and many creatures to commemorate the triumph of greek civilization over barbarism.

Tryglyph

In a Doric frieze, a panel with vertical grooves set between the metopes

What was the importance of the Pantheon in Rome?

It's a temple dedicated to the 7 planetary gods.

Cella

Main room of the temple where the cult statue stood.

Temples

Temples were common urban buildings. They were typically small and had one entrance. The style is a mix of the Etruscans and the Greeks. The Temple of Fortuna Virilis in Rome (2nd century BCE) is an example of urban temples. they were made of stone and concrete and faced with marble. The same is true for the Pantheon in Rome (125 BCE) although it was larger than the typical temple and dedicated to multiple gods.

What was the primary function of Acropolis?

The Acropolis is a plateau rising abruptly above the plain of the city and was a space meant for the worship of gods and goddesses. It also served as a military and political sanctuary.

Doric Column

The Doric column is the oldest and simplest Greek style--its found on the Parthenon in Athens. This column features fluted sides, a smooth rounded top, or capital, and no separate base.

Compare the plan of the Etruscan temple in Figure 5.2 to a plan of a Greek temple in the previous chapter. Note the similarities and differences of their design.

The Greek and Etruscan temples are similar because Etruscan took inspiration from it. Both incorporate columns. However, the Etruscan temple only built two rows along the front of the portico whereas the Greek temples had continuous collonades around. The columns of the Etruscan temples were also spaced out much more to use as little as necessary to support the wooden beams and didn't follow Greek proportions. The entrance was also slightly different, The Greek temples all facades mattered because you could approach it from all sides. However, the Etruscan temples were built on a podium and only had one set of stairs that made only the front facade important. The inside of the temples was different. Greek had one main space, the cella, and Etruscan had 3 (tripartite).

Describe the design of the Propylaea. What is its function?

The Propylaea is essentially a Doric portico flanked by projecting wings. It was built as a passageway into the acropolis.

What is unique about the Pantheon's structural design?

The Rotunda

Define the Tuscan order. How did the materials and decoration of the Etruscan temple differ from Greek temples?

The Tuscan order is similar to Doric. The shaft has no fluting and the Frieze had no sculpture. It consists of the shaft, the capital, the architrave, the frieze, and the cornice. As opposed to the Greek temples, which made of stone, the Etruscan temples were made of wood for the columns and roofs and dried brick for the main structure. Terracotta tiles decorated the Etruscan temple on the roof and the pediment. This made the temple a lot more colorful. The horizontal lines from the eave are emphasized on the Etruscan temple.

What are three structural elements that Roman construction perfected and used as a basis for their entire structural system?

The arch, the dome, and the vault. All happen to be compression force structures.

Scenae

The building used as a back drop to a roman theater that also is used to store props and other things

Theater/Amphitheater

Theaters and Amphitheaters were a large part of the culture in Rome. The Romans took the design from the simpler Greek versions of the theater and decorated it with the doric and ionic orders. The Theater of Marcellus in Rome was built in 13-11 BCE. It was constructed with concrete and cut stone. Radial barrel vaults surrounded by concentric rings of barrel vaults supported the seating. the theaters were used for plays and other literary events. The Colosseum is the most famous example of the amphitheater. It was completed in 80 CE and used for gladiator battles and executions along with circuses. Most of the building was made with stone and concrete and was faced with marble. These structures also take after Greek design. They were decorated with the hierarchical orders, doric, ionic, then corinthian. The same redial barrel vaults supported this building.

Describe the basic features of the Corinthian column

They are slender and sleek columns. The corner volutes, derived from Ionic models, are small, and their scroll form is complemented by the stylized curls of acanthus leaves that enrich the bell of the capital. the shaft is fluted.

Roman Concrete

formed by combining pozzuolana (a volcanic earth) with lime, broken stones, bricks, and tuff, was easily produced and had great durability, stronger than todays typical concrete

Groin Vault (Cross Vault)

formed by the right angle intersection of two barrel vaults of the same shape