HUM 111 Final Studyguide
Sainte- Foy
A particularly interesting reliquary is that of Sainte-Foy, an early Christian martyr who was beheaded as a young girl for refusing to worship pagan gods. Her head, the relic, rests inside the reliquary shaped like a body. Over time, gold sheets, gemstones, gifts, and glass were added over time for contribution to the holy spirit. On feast days, this reliquary was carried through the streets in sacred procession. Many pilgrims flocked to this relic, as she was known to heal blindness.
Fourth Lateran Council of 1215
At the ____ in 1215, Pope Innocent III authorized the Franciscan Order, which allowed for the revival of Early Christian ideals of poverty, compassion, and humility. During this time, there was evident separation among Christian ideas. Many of these ideas evolved around life and death. Its was believed that Christians could overcome death through sacraments, a set a sacred rite that impart grace. The seven sacraments that the Fourth Lateran Council touched upon had to do with every aspect of human life: birth, baptism, confirmation, ordination, holy matrimony, repentance, death, and Eucharist- the most important as it joined human beings to God by means of the body and blood of Christ. This set of laws, and the conduct of following them, determined whether their souls would go to heaven, hell or purgatory. The Fourth Lateran Council introduced the doctrine of Transubstantiation, which is the transformation of the spirit of the Eucharist into a physical presence- the bread and wine representing the blood and body of Jesus. During this time, Corpus Christi began to be celebrated as a special feast day to honor the body and blood of Jesus Christ.
Church Fathers
Jerome, Ambrose, Greogry the Great, and Augustine
Plan and interior
(Chartres Cathedral) The building is dominated by flying buttresses which allowed the 7 architects to increase the window size significantly. It had one of the shortest construction periods due to increased funding and being built in a wealthy city. The interior displays 175 panels of glass- 22,000 square feet of stained glass. Its dominance surpasses any other gothic cathedral of this period. Most of the windows are shaped in pointed arches (see above picture), with some rose windows- circular windows shaped similar to the sun.
Jamb statues, south transept portal (Porch of the Confessors), Chartres Cathedral, c. 1215-20
(Chartres Cathedral) The jamb statues on the south portal contrast the central portal as they are Gothic in style. These statues are much more natural and human like as the figures are looking in different directions, are standing in different poses, and are wearing different clothing. These apostles characterize the south portal as more Gothic.
Jamb statues, west portal (Royal Portal), Chartres Cathedral, 1145-70
(Chartres Cathedral) The jamb statues were figures carved on the jambs of the doorway into the cathedral. These statues were commonly referred to as the "bible in stone". One statue showed the Virgin Mary with Christ on her lap, and surrounding her are many other figures. In lintels below the statues you can see stages of Mary's life. Timpetem framed the Virgin Mary and was known as the patron of all learning, representing the 7 liberal arts (grammar, logic, music, arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, etc.). This portal ,was very rigid, front facing, and displayed qualities of Romanesque art and architecture.
Notre Dame de Belle Verriere, stained glass, c. 1170 with 13th c. side panels
(Chartres Cathedral) This is the most famous of the stained glass windows in the cathedral. The three upper central panels depict the Virgin Mary holding Christ on her lap in a strongly frontal pose. Red (rubies) and blue (sapphires) were the most expensive colors to use, yet are used heavily throughout this window to show its importance. This window is located at the South side of the cathedral, at the entrance to the choir.
West façade with tympanum of Virgin and Child, Chartres Cathedral, c. 1134-1220
(Chartres Cathedral) This semi-circle design in the architecture, called a tympanum, are decorated with several faces and characters. This particular portal shows the death of Mary, her ascension into heaven, and her glorious coronation.
Bernart de Ventadorn, "When I behold the lark"
(Courtly Love and Troubadors) Bernart de Ventadorn is one of the most famous courtly love poets. He is often remembered for him mastery and ability to make the trobar leu style more popular. Through his popularizing of the style, Bernart de Ventadorn helped establish the "classical" form of courtly love poetry. It is hypothesized that Ventadorn was the son of a baker from the castle of Ventadour in France, a soldier, and also a servant. Along with this, many people believe that he learned how to sing and write from Edle III of Ventadorn composing his first few works to his wife, Marguerite de Turenne. Due to his love interest in Marguerite, Ventadorn eventually had to leave Eble III of Ventadorn, finding himself in England. Approximately 45 of his works still survive, the most well known being "When I behold the lark". His poems often shows a sense of rejection and suffering love and he is very well known for being able to portray women as divine then suddenly countering this idea making them appear as sinful. In "when I behold the lark", Ventadorn starts the first stanza by speaking of a very strong love only to start contradicting this statement in the second stanza. He expresses the idea that he never knew anything about love and that all that he had believed had been a lie he foolishly followed. The poem speaks of a women who left him, taking his heart and everything else with her. After she left, he states that he no longer has faith in women the way that he did before and while he "once stood in their defense, [he] cannot stand them anymore". This piece overall portrays a heartbroken man who feels betrayed by the heartless woman he once loved.
Chretien de Troyes's Lancelot and the Romance
(Courtly Love and Troubadors) Chretien de Troyes was a late 12th century French poet and while little is known of his life it is hypothesized that he served as a herald-at-arms at the court of Marie of France between 1160 and 1172. Some of his works, such as Yvain and the Knight of the Lion, are written in a structure that reflects modern novels although he is commonly known for his works that express medieval romances. Medieval romances often depict the relationship between different characters throughout the story and this is exactly what Chretien de Troyes does in his piece Lancelot. It is not known exactly what time this poem was composed but it is believed to have originated between 1175 and 1181. This story centers around Lancelot rescuing Queen Guinevere after she was abducted by Meleagant, focusing on the trials he faces and his constant struggle to balance being both a warrior and a lover. Lancelot embarked on a long journey in order to save Queen Guinevere, encountering many challenges along the way, but in the end he is able to reach the tower she is locked in rescuing her from her kidnapper. This story embodies all of the ideals of chivalry love that were very common in the time period, placing emphasis upon nobility.
Pointed Arch
(Gothic Style) allowed for more space because of its ability to be wider and taller. It allowed for greater height than the rounded arches in the romanesque churches. They were often illustrated in blueprints of the churches as being X's to represent the X pattern you would see on the ceiling of the churches.
Rib Vault
(Gothic Style) is the frame that holds Gothic churches together and distributes the weight of the building. This style was much more elegant with thinner piers which contrasted with the thicker piers of the Romanesque style
Stained Glass
(Gothic Style) was an important part of Gothic church architecture. Light reflects off of gemstones to represent God's beauty. The same effect can be seen when light passes through the stained glass window. Stained glass is not intended to make a room brighter, but instead to make it colorful. Suger believed that God revealed himself through light and that stained glass could accurately illustrate that. The idea of lux nova is that Christ is the new light. This is often illustrated through stained glass. The light passing through the stained glass also relates to the Holy Spirit passing through Mary's womb.
Flying Buttress
(Gothic Style) was created to support the ceiling's weight. It allowed the building to include more stained glass with the removal of walls. The extra support also allowed for the ceilings to be vaulted higher than the Romanesque style churches.
Mihrab
(Great Mosque) One of the requirements of a mosque Niche on the qibla wall and orients one towards the mecca. Helps them known where to face to pray. Sometimes holds lamp that symbolizes Allah as the light of the heavens and the earth. The dome of the mirab is constructed on 8 intersecting arches and lavishly decorated mosaics which is clear evidence of Muslim advancement in math, engineering and art.
Minaret
(Great Mosque) Looks like a tower and can be found adjacent to the mosque provide a visual focal point and are traditionally used for the call to prayer There is muezzins or cries, that ring 5 times a day to regulate the time of prayer. At the time when they ring, Muslims are called to interrupt whatever they are doing to kneel and pray facing the mecca.; Often is a recording through speakers to hear throughout city. Originally this tower was necessary to project. The function of it was to serve as a ventilation system for the mosque in hot climates, that's why it has such huge windows. Now, in an era of air conditioning, the purpose of the minaret is to be a traditional symbol.
Qibla
(Great Mosque) The actual wall the mihrab is in. Important component of the mosaic and also orients toward the mecca. Extremely ornate with gold and mosaics glass, horseshoe arch opens onto the mihrab.
Ambulatory
(Saint Sernin) Architects also gradually increased the side aisles around the transept and behind the apse to form a special walkway known as an ______. This innovation left monks undistributed as pilgrims moved freely in the church.
Indulgence
(The Crusades)
Primogeniture
(The Crusades) the governing rule that the first born son inherits the state, was also a reason people joined because they took it as an opportunity to obtain land if they were not the first born of their family.
Microhistory
(The Magi and mapping in the middle ages) ___ includes looking at a small part of history (a certain event, individual, item, or community) and trying to see how it contributes to the bigger picture. Some examples that were presented comprise of coinage, porcelain, ships, garments, books, vases, and jewelry. The Roman Coins found in Japan demonstrate that the Romans once had authority there, the Viking ships give us more insight into how brutal they were to the people they conquered and how they lived, and the Hercules Pendant displays the importance of pearl within the 16th century. Each archaeological thing found provides one more piece to add to the greater understanding of the Middle Ages.
Scholasticism, Thomas Aquinas and Summa Theologica
(medieval university) The universities used a way of teaching deemed "scholasticism." This involved religious texts of the church fathers and from scripture serving as the major sources of knowledge. Many notable figures provided works in a wide range of subjects that brought light to topics such as science, mathematics, astronomy, and biology. The greatest of all scholastics was Thomas Aquinas, who wrote on biblical and theological subjects. His most recognized work is that of the "Summa Theologica," which is known to be a long book about knowledge and is mainly consisted of facts. His goals with this book were to create a science of faith and to deal with some question relating to the intervention of God.
High Middle Ages
1000 AD-1300 AD Covered Feudalism, the crusades, and the Gothic and Romanesque time periods
Late Middle Ages
1300-1400 AD welcomed in the medieval time period and the black plague
The Bayeux Tapestry, 1070-80
Actually not a tapestry but an embroidered cloth that is about 230 feet long and 20 inches tall. It illustrates the events leading up to the Norman conquest of England and the Battle of Hastings. It has survived over nine centuries. It was named after a city in France, which was where it was made and where it is still displayed today. It contains Latin captions under all the pictures that clarify characters, places and events. There is a total of 79 scenes that can be read like a comic strip. It is likely that woman worked on it due to the fact that tapestries were mostly a woman's activity.
The Legend of Saints Barlaam and Josaphat by Rudolf von Elms
Barlaam and Josaphat were two well-known Christian martyrs and saints who were ultimately based on the life of the Buddha. The legend begins with introducing an Indian king who is known for persecuting the Christian church. When astrologers told him of a prediction they had that his son would later become Christian, he locked up Josaphat to prevent that from happening. Nonetheless, Josaphat eventually meets Saint Barlaam, a hermit who eventually converts him to Christianity. The Indian king eventually accepts the faith after years of ordeal and gives the throne to his son. The old king retreats to becoming a hermit and his son eventually lives out his days in seclusion with Barlaam after his reign.
How Neoplatanism affected Augustine
Because of this idea he converted to chrisitanity when he was 33. He used these ideas in the City of God to reflect contrast ie Santan and God, Church and State.
Bernard of Clairvaux
Bernard of Clairvaux was a particularly influential Saint to the Cistercians. He condemned visual imagery because he believed it distracted people from praying and reading the bible. Bernard's main principles, therefore, were that piety and meditation were to precede action. His preachings were aided by his simple attire and preachings against heresy.
Chanson de Geste
Chanson de geste literally means song of heroic deeds. It is a form of literature of the feudal nobility. It was transmitted orally for centuries and began to be written down around the 1100's. The music used for the poems have not survived but we know that it is highly consisted of a single, highly improvised line of melody. There is almost no mention of women in them because women were not as important in the literature. It mostly just celebrates strong male and knights.
Chartres Cathedral, the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, Gothic [Chartres, France, c. 1140-1220 CE].
Chartres Cathedral, also called the Cathedral of Notre-Dame, is a massive, Gothic cathedral in the center of the city. It was built to honor the Virgin Mary and even contains the tunic of the Virgin Mary when she gave birth to Jesus. It was a reconstructed Romanesque cathedral which burnt down. However, small sections of the original cathedral still remain, and Mary's tunic was not burned inside of the cathedral, which is seen as a miracle. The cathedral has been overall well preserved and deemed a high point of French Gothic art.
Chivalry/Chivalric code
Chivalry is based of of the french word for horse. It is used to refer to Knights or those willing to defend those in need, faith, protect the weak and combat evil. Knights used to ride horses so the animal was affiliated with them. The chivalric code became a lifestyle. It was a moral system that went beyond the rules of combat and promoted things such as bravery, courtesy, honor and great gallantry toward women.
Dante's Divine Comedy
Dante's Divine Comedy is a narrative poem that Dante began writing in 1308 but was not finished until 1320. This narrative was originally written in Italian and is divided into three sections: Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso. These pieces all come together to describe Dante's journey through Hell, Purgatory, and Heaven. This narrative was written in a time period when medieval romance was very popular; authors were describing scenes of love and man's pursuit of women, while Dante was describing scenes of a soul's journey to God. Dante's writing in this piece takes the focus off of chivalry love that was so common during this time period and turned the attention toward an individual soul's journey. With the popularity of Medieval romance during this time period, a piece like this really stood out as different and contradictory to popular ideals. Through his work in this piece, Dante draws attention to the importance of being your own hero and not requiring someone else to save you or for you to save someone else bringing into light the idea of humanism.
Great Gold Buckle, Sutton Hoo Ship Burial (Mound 1), early 7th c., niello and gold
Due to the nomadic nature of the Germanic people their artistic productions often consisted of easily transportable objects such as carpets, jewelry, and weapons. Often times, after a chiefly or important member of their community passed away, Germanic folk would bury the most lavish artistic items that they had with the deceased in boats then set them out to sea. In 1939, archeologists excavated one of these ships at Sutton Hoo in England discovering large amounts of Anglo-Saxon weapons, coins, utensils, jewelry and small lyre. Among the found pieces was the Great Gold Buckle, which was decorated with gold as well as black sulfurous substances called niello. This belt buckle, which was supposed to be worn hanging from the chieftain's belt, was covered with dense patterns of interlacing snakes and monsters, that are associated with the dark forces of nature, which were supposed to represent the Germanic epic Beowulf. Along with this, the knots and braids which were present in the design were supposed to seen as magical devices. The high quality barbarian art that is seen in the belt buckle does not elude to a "civilized" society but rather the technical sophistication and originality of the barbarian people.
Last Judgment, tympanum and lintel on the west portal, Romanesque [Cathedral of Autun, France, c. 1120-35]
During the 11th and 12th centuries pilgrimage churches started using stone sculptures again. The Last Judgement is a stone sculpture above the portals of the Cathedral of Autun. The tympanum (semicircle in arch of portal) shows Jesus with a mandalora (halo) and wounds pointing into the hellish afterlife on his left and heaven on his right. The Lintel (horizontal band below tympanum) shows the resurrection of the dead (whether they are leaving their grave into heaven or being grabbed into hell). When pilgrims would come to visit they would walk below the Last Judgement it reminded the Christians of the inevitable death and last judgement. This was significant in this time because many people could not read, therefore, the imagery got the story across to people. Follow Christ and you will be taken to heaven, but fail to do so and you will end up in hell. This served as a reminder to all who walked into the church.
Saint Jerome (340-420 CE)
Famous for translating the Bible into Latin, this Bible was the standard for his time. This lead to Latin as the dominant language.
Early Middle Ages
From 5th century to 1000 A.D Was preceded by the breakup of Rome and the conflict of finding an heir During this time Islam and Germanic peoples rose to power
Giotto di Bondone
Giotto di Bondone, commonly referred to as Giotto, was an italian painter and architect who lived in Florence in the late middle ages. He is well known for his artistic contributions to the Renaissance, breaking through the Byzantine style and pioneering an art form closer to what we know today introducing techniques that drew precisely from life. The renaissance was a time period in which a bridge was created between the Middle Ages and modern history and when the idea of humanism was highly popular. This idea was portrayed often in art and architecture, through developments such as oil painting, assimilating a more natural phenomenon in painting and progressing the current educational reform. Giotto is most commonly known for his work that decorates the Arena Chapel which he completed around 1305. In this piece he utilizes fresco techniques, which include laying mural painting on wet lime plaster using water as a vehicle for pigment, in order to depict the Life of the Virgin Mary and the Life of Christ.
Hildegard of Bingen,, with an understanding of her Scivias, including page with Hildegard's Vision, Liber Scivias, Gothic
Hildegard of Bingen is one of the most famous Mystics. When she was very young she began to have visions She came from a aristocratic family, she was very intelligent as she was a musician and a scholar. She became a Benedictine nun at the age of 8 and eventually became their abbess. She wrote on the nature of the universe, the meaning of scripture, and destiny of the Christian soul and one of such works is the Scivias. Scivias (Know the Ways of the Lord) wrote about her experience with the voice of God and her visions. She writes of heaven opening up and fire going into her giving her knowledge. One of her visions is a iron colored mountain with someone sitting on top. There was a boy atttttttttttt the bottom of the mountain and is called to speak on behalf of Christ. The second vision tells of hell with drowning and fire torture and terror. She tells of its rancid smell and horror
Fealty
In medieval Europe, the idea of fealty was highly important. This ideal took form as an oath performed by a subordinate to his or her lord. When an individual pledged fealty to their lord it was a symbol of their allegiance to them. Along with this, fealty included duties, such as services and aid, that a subordinate was required to perform for their lord's. Part of this oath included kneeling before their lord and placing their own hands between his, as a symbol that the subordinate was becoming the "man" of the lord. Although the act of fealty symbolized the subordinates allegiance to their lord, it also was a promise that the lord would provide for his subordinate in some way. There were no requirements to what the lord had to provide, but often times it included shelter and homage for their subordinate in return for work. Fealty played an important role in the medieval European idea of feudalism. Feudalism was a way of structuring society around the holding of land and the relationships that flourished between landowner and labourer. When a labourer pledged fealty to their landowner it often meant that they were obligated to perform both warrior and civil duties, helping the lands run smoothly and protecting them from invaders through the process. Landowners would pay these laborers by providing them with housing and often times gifting them lands on their properties.
Medieval University
In the 12th century, a spark of economic prosperity influenced a shift in the availability of education from a religious enterprise to that of urban centers in Western Europe. The latin word, "universitas" described a guild of learners and teachers thus becoming place for intellectual debate and inquiry. Among the most notable founded during this time period are the following: Bologna, Paris, Oxford, and Cambridge. The University life was restricted for men only, and much of the organization is still utilized today. One could obtain their B.A. degree and could continue to a M.A. Furthermore, the Liberal Arts style curriculum was centered around the trivium (grammar, logic, and rhetoric), as well as the quadrivium (arithmetic, geometry, astronomy, and music).
Muhammad
In the 7th century, began the religion of Islam. He claimed the angel Gabriel visited him 610 CE and during these angelic visitations in the span of 23 years until ___ death, the angel revealed to ___ the words of Allah, as well as warned him of the day of judgment. ____ message is focusing on obeying God and respecting others - these are the key ideals of Islam and drew in followers who were drawn to the ideas of kindness amongst believers, and all believers equal before God.
Interlace
Interlace was a common artistic technique that was used by Germanics in this time period. This design involves very intricate knots and braids that often incorporate hidden figures such as abstract animal faces, serpents, birds, and other animals into the piece. Two very good examples of interlace are the Great Gold Buckle found at Sutton Hoo and the Book of Kells, an eighth-century Latin Gospel book. The Great Gold Buckle includes intricate knots and braids made from gold and niello that intertwine with hidden figures of serpents and monsters to portray the contrast between the dark forces of nature with magical devices. The Book of Kells is an elaborate illuminated manuscript that begins each chapter with a large intricate design centered around elaborate capital letters. The Book of Kells is adorned with golden flakes throughout its detailed designs and just like the Great Gold Buckle, contains intricate knots and braids that hide figures such as animals inside them.
Scriptoria and illuminated manuscripts, specifically the Chi Rho Iota page from Book of Matthew, Book of Kells, Late 8th or early 9th c.
Manuscripts were made up of animal skins. They took a very long time to produce because of that fact and also because manuscripts needed to be very fine and neat. Kings, and people at the top of social hierarchies kept the manuscripts as texts were a symbol of class. The Book of Kells is recognized as the most important illuminated manuscript. Interlace was used for art on the Chi Rho. The very elaborate interlace has images of animals and other embedded figures to show the deeper significance and allegorical meaning to the text itself. In addition to interlacing, there was an interest in gold and precious colors which also can be seen on the Chi Rho. The gold and precious colors support that only those of royalty and elite class had access to texts like the Book of Kells.
Pilgrimage
Many Christians made pilgrimages to various religious sites, such as Jerusalem, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela. While these journeys were certainly hard and took many weeks to complete, they were often an essential part of spiritual life. One would make such a pilgrimage to deepen their faith, see a site associated with a miracle, to heal themselves, or even for remission for sins or crimes they may have committed. Pilgrimage in the time of the Middle Ages was always involved in economic, social, and religious issues, and the presence of them began to increase in the year 900. Christians began to journey to holy sites more than ever before to see relics or to witness sacred objects associated with the Virgin Mary. These many journeys stimulated the economy; more relics were collected and massive architectural feats were built to store them.
Saint Augustine of Hippo (350-340 CE)
Most important philosophical figure, one of the most important expounder of Christian doctrine. Used Greco roman ideas of Hellenistic philosophers, stoicism, and plato to form his own ideas. He linked Jesus to the stoics using his writings. He wrote "City of God" in response to the Sack of Rome.
Mysticism
Mystics were very intuitive and knowledgeable of God and could also conjure up images of the supernatural. Mystics believed in a sort of ascetic denial in which they would not eat (holy anorexia) or wear metal garter with spikes to experience the pain of Christ on the cross. To be considered a true mystic they had to be certified by the church as Mysticism borders on orthodoxy. The most famous Mystic was Hildegard of Bingen.
Santiago de Compostela
Of the three major holy sites discussed above, Santiago de Compostela became a premier pilgrimage destination. Located in the northwestern part of Spain, it was much safer to journey there for the average Christian. Located here was a shrine of St. James, who appeared in battles against Muslims. A traveler could take any of the four major routes that led to one final path to this holy site. Along the way, an economic boom followed, as people could hold lodgers and make extra money. The commercial-esque success of this particular pilgrimage supported the creation of guidebooks to help the fellow pilgrim have a successful trip.
Renovatio imperii Romani
On December 25, 800, Charlemagne is crowned as the Holy Emperor of Rome. The term Renovatio imperii Romani itself means the renewal of the Western Roman Empire. An example of this renovation can be seen in the Palatine Chapel. The chapel was built like the Church of San Vitale in Ravenna in the Byzantine Empire. It was designed by Odo of Metz. The construction of this chapel was built with the intent to symbolize heavenly Jerusalem. The dome in the church was borrowed from the dome of Hagia Sofia. In addition, Charlemagne starts up the Carolingian renovatio, which was an attempt to eliminate the complexity of texts. The end goal was to make Latin clear and easy to read so that a wider range audience could interact with texts and arts. Specifically, the Caroline minuscule created something clear and focused on looking at Roman scripture. Charlemagne was unable to read or write so he established schools at Aachen, in town centers throughout the Empire.
Palace Chapel/Palatine Chapel of Charlemagne at Aachen, Carolingian/early medieval[ c. 800]
People came here to worship. Charlemagne made Aachen the seat of his Holy Roman Empire. The height of the chapel and its size is the most marveling feature of the chapel. Lots of Roman architecture was borrowed in the construction of the chapel, for example the barrel vault in the interior of the chapel. The most upper tier of the chapel was crowned by a mosaic dome which represented Heaven, and the bottom tier represented the earth where the priest and congregation met for worship. Charlemagne assumed his role as mediator between God and mortals.
Relic
Pilgrimage to a holy site meant viewing a relic, or simply an object surviving from an earlier time that held great importance to the Christians. People began to catch on to the economic boom associated with acquiring relics, and as a result very bitter competition rose among people in order to gain importance for themselves. The stealing and destruction of other's relics led to an economic value being attached to the peice; money poisoned their true, spiritual value. These relics, brought back from the Holy Land by the Crusaders or collected locally, became objects of holy veneration.
Romanesque
Pilgrimages began to increase during the Romanesque period between 900-1000. Romanesque churches were constructed in great numbers throughout Western Europe, containing many relics that attracted people along their pilgrimages. The stone capitals here displayed themes of redemption and salvation, and were rural meeting points for people on their pilgrimages. Some of the major pilgrimage sites were Jerusalem, Rome, and Santiago de Compostela. Romanesque style is characterized by linearity and vivid imagination. This is apparent in stone sculptures of entrance portals and illuminated manuscripts. Most churches erected during this period were built on a Latin cross plan, and featured round arches, thick barrel vaults, and groin vaults.
Reliquary
Relics were held in special objects known as a reliquary. This case was much more than a wooden box; it was often decorated with gold, precious metals, and jewels as well. Sometimes, the reliquary was even shaped like the body part it held.
Mecca
Serves as both the birthplace of Muhammad and the site of his revelation of the Qur'an. Today, it is regarded as the holiest city in the Islam religion. Muhammad fled from ___ to Medina (Yathrib) in 622, marking the beginning of the Muslim calander. Muhammed eventually returns to ___ and defeats pagan ___ forces. He rids of idols by removing and breaking those in an important shrine in ____. Today, the Great Mosque of ____ (also called Holy Mosque of Haram Mosque) comprises a rectangular central courtyard surrounded by covered prayer areas - this is known as the Ka'bah. Millions of people go there every year for pilgrimage.
Barrel vault
Simply a series of arches placed side by side to form a long tunnel-esque shape. In Romanesque churches, these barrel vaults were often the design of the high ceilings.
Monasteries and the rule of St. Benedict
Skellig Michael was an island located in the Atlantic Ocean, and was an example monastery. Monasteries were a place that monks lived. Typically it was remote and its purpose served as a place where monks would contemplate their life and figure out what was important. The rule of St. Benedict applied to all monks. Under St. Benedict's rule, monks were supposed to worship, stay silent, help the poor, and bury the dead. They were not supposed to indulge in material things. St. Benedict would criticize churches that were very nicely decorated or depicted art as he believed that stuff like that distracted from people practicing their faith. They preserved classical learning and blended classical learning with Christianity. Manuscripts also become a big part of what monks were set out to do under St. Benedict's rule. Manuscripts took a very long time to complete and are recognized as the defining works of art for the Middle Ages.
Feudalism
System established during Medieval europe. Nobles owned land, Knights provided military services for the nobles and protected the land and the people living there. The serfs were obligated to live on the land and work the manual labor parts. The serfs paid homage and kept a share of the produce. This idea structured society for a very long time, between the 9th and 15th century. A type of political system although not very formal. It worked so well because city life had not yet developed and there was no centralized government. It was based on visual and verbal contracts as well. The concept can also be exemplified in works such as The Song of Roland and the Bayeux Tapestry.
Cluniacs and the Abbey Church (Cluny III), Cluny, Burgundy, France, c. 1088-1130
The Benedictine abbey of Cluny (SE France) started a movement of monastic revitalization that produced the construction of over 1,000 monasteries and abbey churches in 150 years. Cluny III was the largest church in Europe at the time. It was the first church built of all stone, had nodes that radiated off the apse, and generally reflected great wealth.Most of the new churches during the time were modeled on Cluny itself, enshrined in relics brought back from the holy land. These locations then attracted Christian pilgrims to seek pardon for sins or to pay homage to a particular saint. The Cluniacs were significant promoters of art and architecture.
Charlemagne and the Carolingians
The Carolingians were also known as the Franks, a germanic tribe. They established much of their rule in the Western part of Europe. Charlemagne is the most famous ruler of the Carolingian Empire and lived from 742-814, while his reign lasted from 768-814. He assumed that the Franks were an heir to Rome as he was very influenced by the Romans. The Carolingian Empire is known for blending multiple traditions. Charlemagne tries to revive Rome in France and Germany. The capital of the Carolingian Empire was Aachen.
Cistercians and the Cistercian Monastery at Fontenay, 1139-47
The Cistercians were against the wealth of the Cluniacs, they are a religious order of monks and nuns. They contrasted the Cluniacs, and instead had simple, modest, undecorated, small churches. Their focus on having a relationship with God was very influential during this period, and they also emphasized lives of manual labor and self-sufficiency. The Cistercians had a focus on maternal figures, particularly the Virgin Mary. They even feminized Christ as being nurturing and humble and showed a protective image of God.
The Crusades
The Crusades were a series of religious wars, between the opponents of Islam and Christianity, as an attempt to conquer and control the holy land of Jerusalem. Many people joined the fight as an indulgence, they saw it to be service to God and a direct invitation into heaven. There were four crusades that took place and consisted of the following events: Jerusalem is recaptured, Muslims again take over the land, and Byzantium is sacked. The major outcomes of these wars were the increased trade between the east and west, relics brought back to Europe, renewal of commerce, etc.
Gothic Style
The ____ does not just refer to architecture as many other artistic forms were characteristic of the gothic period. It can be seen that there was a larger switch from the ideas of naturalism to that of realism. Feelings and emotions are heavily portrayed in art works. Furthermore, most art was religious and there was a common theme of glorifying Jesus and Mary. Also it can be seen that there are many more figures in the ___ styled art with the presence of angels and saints. One of the most notable works of the ____ period is Röttgen Pietà. This painted wood statue, displays a tragic scene of Mary and Jesus. It depicts a traumatic experience between mother and son, where the mother is holding her dying son. This piece of art shows the intense emotions associated with the horrifying death of Jesus.
Germanic Tribes
The Germanic people followed a migratory existence, depending largely on their flocks and herds. These groups of people did not live in one settled area but often invaded nearby lands throughout Asia in order to gain material goods. The germanic tribes consisted of groups such as the East and West Goths, Franks, Vandals, Burgundians, Angles, and Saxons. All of these groups shared a similar language only differing in dialect from tribe to tribe. Due to their nomadic nature, including lack of urban settlements, architecture, and writing, these groups were often called barbarians by the Romans. Germanic tribes did not threaten Roman territories until the fourth century c.e. when the Huns, a central asian nomadic tribe, drove them westward. This push westward caused an unexpected alliance to form between the Romans and the Germanic people; the Romans enabled the Germanic tribes to settle on their borders as long as they promised to defend them from invaders. Overtime, tension began to rise between the Romans and the Visigoths leading to the Battle of Adrianople in 378. The previously "invincible" Roman army fell to defeat by the Visigoths, who killed the East Roman emperor Valens causing his army to disperse. This enabled the Visigoths to sweep across the Roman borders raiding many cities and even taking over Rome in 410. The Battle of Adrianople enabled a sequence of barbarian invasions on the Roman Empire eventually leading to its fall in 476. While the barbarians overtook the Roman lands, they did not obliterate Rome's vast resources or their rich culture. Groups such as the Franks and Burgundians adopted their legal traditions to writing while other groups, such as the Ostrogoths, embraced Christianity. Many tribes adopted Christianity during the fall of the Roman Empire and the century following it. The Anglo-Saxon tribe, for example, experienced a conversion to Christianity from 590-650, under the influence of Papacy of Gregory the Great. The Historian Bede records many different chiefs and Christianity influences in the Anglo-Saxon culture in An Ecclesiastical History of the English People which he published in 731. The law of Germanic Tribes differed widely from that of the Roman people. Under Germanic rule there were no kings or queens but rather Chief leaders. These leaders were responsible for governing the people but general assemblies would gather together to make important decisions. Germanic law was not legislated but rather was passed down from generation to generation verbally and due to the commonplace of warlike behavior these ideals and rules were enforced severely. The inability to follow the rules would often lead to public shaming and dishonor. The Germanic people had a strong belief in the will of nature deities and often used elements like fire and water to determine the severity of an individual's guilt.
Song of Roland
The Song of Roland was the first chanson de geste to be written down and the most famous in history. It describes a culture that celebrated the heroic deeds that brought honor to to the warrior, his lord and his religion. It also characterizes the Germanic way of life because it expresses the importance of the strong bond between vassal and chieftain. The specific example is when Roland declares his unswerving devotion to Charlemagne. It also shows the little aspects like how knights used to name their gear and weapons, the dependence on calvary, the glorification of blood and thunder and comradeship. The Song of Roland captures the struggles between Christians and Muslims and the crusades.
Umayyads vs. the Abbasids
The ____ were the first Islamic dynasty in all of history. They introduced the system of hereditary succession in Islamic government. ____ governance favored Arabs although in Islam, all Muslims were regarded (or supposed to be regarded, according to the Qur'an) as equal. This would become one of the main reasons for the fall of the dynasty, which then gave way to the ( ) dynasty - the second Islamic dynasty, claiming leadership of the Muslim world through Muhammad's uncle Abbas (where the name ( )came from). During this era, the Islamic empire reached its territorial peak and accomplishments peak. A new capital was created under the ( ) - Baghdad - and they successfully made it into the most cultured city in the world. How? By employing and recruiting Christian and Jewish scholars, statesmen, scientists, and traders in the empire. Abbasid contributions included mathematics, medicine (earliest attempts of understanding cancer), classical learning, philosophy, establishment of the academy and science. Another thing the Abbasids were responsible for was the creation of a translation office, where ancient texts were both translated and studied. These very texts would become the base for the European Renaissance. When you think of Umayyads think: hereditary succession in Islam and pro-Arab government
Dhimma
This was used to refer to the people that are non-muslim citizens at the time when Islamic nations ruled most of Europe. Muslims were very religiously tolerant but they required them to pay this tax, and declare that Islam was the greatest. They were also exempt from certain duties assigned specifically to Muslims, and did not have many political rights. Other than this however they were equal under the laws of property, contract, and obligation.
Saint Sernin, Toulouse, Romanesque [interior 1070; altar consecrated 1096]
The defining piece of pilgrimage architecture is that of Saint Sernin at Toulouse, a church along the pilgrimage route to Compostela. Constructed of pink granite, it's massive structure and thick walls gives an extremely solid appearance. It's strikingly Romanesque giveaway is the fact that it is laid on a latin cross plan and it was designed to hold thousands upon thousands of people. It's nave (central part meant for congregation) is covered by a barrel vault divided by ornamental transverse arches. To support the massive weight of this building, the stone walls and heavy piers provide lateral support. However, one would not find the clerestory here, as the many windows it involves would weaken the already strained walls. It's desings follows rational and harmonious principles, and its interior reflects its exterior. Both of these spaces were heavily decorated with frescos, and it's Romanesque roots come from it's construction in stone as well as its influence of Roman architecture (think Roman arches).
Augustine and the City of God
This was written in response to the Sac of Rome because people believed that Rome only fell because the abandoned Pagan beliefs for Christian ones.
Radiating chapels
The pilgrimage church gives access to Christians in viewing relics while also remaining a safe place to store said relics. These two needs influenced the design on the pilgrimage church greatly. _____ were installed in newly constructed portions of the eastern end of the church to hold shrines. Architects also gradually increased the side aisles around the transept and behind the apse to form a special walkway known as an ambulatory. This innovation left monks undistributed as pilgrims moved freely in the church.
Beowulf
The story of Beowulf originated in c. 700. It was told orally, but was finally written down some time in the 10th century. Beowulf is the oldest surviving epic poem from the Early Middle Ages and is an example of Germanic literature. Beowulf, the character, is recognized as a supreme warrior who in the past had defeated Grendel and Grendel's mother at a younger age, but from the excerpt we read in class we looked at his battle against the dragon. Two very important themes from the epic are 1) fame vs. transient life, and 2) courage. In the text we find that fame is not important. It is highlighted when we see that Beowulf is left for the dead as none of his comrades help him when he fights against the dragon, and that his arrogance with his ability eventually was his downfall. At the same time, however, we see that courage is emphasized as something that is valued. Beowulf demonstrates courage as he fights the dragon despite being of old age when no one else is willing to for the sake of the people's' safety. Even though Beowulf dies when he faces the dragon, he kills it in the process.
The Magi and mapping in the Middle Ages
The three Magi are traditionally in reference to the 3 kings who are illustrated in many different Jesus nativity paintings in the Middle Ages. They are said to have found Jesus by following a star and bring him gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. This specific scene can be seen in Matthew 2:11. An example of mapping in the Middle Ages can be seen in a T-O map, a type of medieval world map, also called a Beatine map. It represents the physical world as first described in the 7th-century by scholar Isidore of Seville in his Etymologiae. It illustrates Asia, Europe, and Africa as being spilt parts of a circle with water surrounding them all. Asia has ½ of the map while Europe and Africa both take up a ¼.
Corpus juris civilis/"The Code"
This was the "Body of the civil law" built on Roman ideas. It regulated the law code. It reformed the law and put it together, old and new and was to be followed by everyone in the empire-it was distributed throughout the empire. 50 volumes were published in Greek and Latin and textbooks of the law were made for students. It supported what Justinian was trying to do, and established his authority and what he expected people to do. He also supports paterfamilias the law involves roles and positions marriage and children. The law sets a standard and it influences the Middle Ages.
Al-Andalus
This refers to the area of Spain when it was ruled by Islamic ideals and was centered in Granada. By 750 they controlled most of the Mediterranean, but were driven out by a caliphate rising in the east. The Umayyads then fled to the west and created a very wealthy empire. There was a mosque built in cordoba that reflects that of the Great Mosque of Damascus. Now, there is church in the center of the mosque that was put there by the Christians. It was karma in a sense because the Muslims had done this to the Christians when they first came to Spain. The Mosque- Cathedral of Cordoba is famous for its arches shown below.
Gregory the Great (540-604 CE)
Was a Roman aristocrat who was elected to papacy in 590. He established the way that all Popes should govern the Church of Rome. He sent missionaries to England to convert them to Christianity.
Saint Ambrose (340-397 CE)
Was a roman aristocrat that bridged the classical and christian philosophical worlds together. He wrote some of the earliest Christian Hymns for religious use.
Neoplatanism
Was founded by Plotinus, the idea that people are being driven toward "the one" and that bodies are composed of matter
Byzantium
Was renamed Constantinople by Constantine. It was founded by Greeks before the Romans took over so these are Greek speaking people. One of the wealthiest cities in the Mediterranean. Also known for being very clean
Guild
With the rise of Medieval towns, the middle class began to participate in commerce activities and trading. Groups of buyers and sellers who agreed to mutual protection formed guilds. These people were more often than not merchants and craftspeople. The purpose of guilds was to regulate prices, fix wages, and establish standards of quality in the production of goods in each profession.
Emperor Justinian and Empress Theodora
___ was one of the greatest Byzantine emperors. (r.52≥ 7-565) He makes Constantinople a cosmopolitan city. He established the code( Corpus juris civilis), he built the Hagia Sofia which is an important Christian church at the time. His wife ___ was a co-ruler. Before marrying ____, she was paid for her services to men(and her beauty). She was smart with military planning and gave her husband advice on how to control the people. She was the daughter of a bear trader and was also a circus performer. There were many protests during their reign but they were able to control the people.
San Vitale: Emperor Justinian with Maximian, Clergy, Courtiers, and Soldiers and Empress Theodora with Courtiers and Ladies of Her Court wall mosaics, San Vitale, Ravenna, c. 547 CE
____, a Byzantine church, was commissioned by Justinian in the city of Ravenna which served as Justinian's western imperial outpost. This was a octagonal building with a rather simple exterior. Inside the church are polychrome marble, alabaster columns and mosaics. These mosaics are not concerned with realism, they are very flat and lack a depth. Such mosaics display Jesus in purple flanked by angels right above the altar. On either side of the altar are mosaics showing Justinian (holding the Eucharist) with the 12 apostles, his clergy, and his soldiers. Justinian and his courtiers stand grave and motionless showing their ceremonial attention. Justinian has around his head a solar disk which in Persian and late roman art was used to show divine status. Across from Justinian is Theodora (his wife) also with the halo displaying her divinity and at equal level with Justinian showing their equality. These mosaics showed the marriage of church and state in the Byzantine empire. They also showed that Justinian and Theodora were thinking what their role as emperor and empress meant. They used very expensive materials to show the importance of Christianity.
Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus, Hagia Sophia, Istanbul (formerly Constantinople), 532-37
_____ (or Holy Wisdom) was built by Anthemius of Tralles and Isidore of Miletus under the Byzantine Emperor Justinian in Constantinople, marking the golden age of Byzantium. The architectural plan was to combine both Pagan (Pantheon in Rome) and Christian (basilica plan) types of architecture. In order to do so, mathematicians (geometry and physics focused) to build this structure. It uses the latin cross plan and the greek cross plan. The massive dome (larger than that of the Pantheon) has a ring 40 closely set windows in order to give the impression the dome was resting on a layer of light. The light glorified God and celestial understandings as Jesus is the light of the world. This was the first domed church. The dome was held up on peditines which eased the square structure of the church into the circular one of the dome. On the inside there are new style of column carved with a floral flare and made of marble. This church stands for the mysteries of the Christian religion and the influence of Western cultures. Justinian liked to think of himself as a successor of the roman empire therefore, similar to the romans, he hoped that building on such a large scale would prove himself as a Roman emperor. the church took 5 years to build and was the largest Christian church for 900 years. Unfortunately, after the fall of .Constantinople, during the iconoclasm of the Muslim faith (dislike images in religious centers), they whitewashed the mosaics and made it into a Mosque. Today, officials have tried to restore the mosaics and made it into a museum.
Courtly Love and Troubadors
a concept that is very popular in medieval literature and it highlights the ideas of nobility and chivalry. We can see these ideals presented throughout medieval literature in various ways, one of the most common being stories of knights embarking on dangerous high stakes adventures performing many services for women along the way. While this love originated as a form of entertainment and a way to express nobility, the ideas that it taught were quickly adopted by a larger crowd. Overtime, people felt that "loving nobly" was an enriching practice that should be expressed in everyone's life. Troubadours were composers and performers of lyric poetry in the high middle ages and due to the common ideals revolving around "courtly love" they often performed and wrote pieces that expressed this concept. The troubadour school began around the late 11th century and then declined around the 14th century, eventually dying out around 1348. Most of the troubadours songs were often abstract, philosophical, and intellectual although some were humorous and vulgar mockery.
Franciscans
a religious group that came into order during the time of the medieval church. They consists of related mendicant religious orders that all fall under the Catholic Church. The mendicant orders are primarily Christian religious orders and those who follow them live a daily life of poverty, traveling, and living in urban areas voluntarily. This lifestyle contradicts the previously established social ideal of living in one community where the members owned property such as land and buildings. The Franciscans avoided owning land and lived a life based on the charity and offerings of those that they preached to. The Franciscans were founded by Francis of Assisi in 1209 and they walked throughout the cities helping the poor although never accepting money. They committed their lives to serving others, taking vows of poverty brothers, and viewed Jesus and a direct model for their work. They often work course material and did manual labor in order to represent poverty. While Francis of Assisi started the Franciscans, St. Claire is the founder of the female branch of Franciscans.
Muslim
follower of the religion of Islam. Means one who submits to Allah/one who submits to Allah's will ('Allah' is the Arabic name for God, used by Arab Muslims and Christians alike). ____ follow a religion of peace, mercy, and forgiveness (besides the fact that the Quran contains at least 109 verses that call ___ to war with nonbelievers for the sake of punishment and Islamic rule.) About 1 billion people are ____. One can become a ___ by declaring 'there is no god apart from God, and Muhammad is the Messenger of God.'
Qur'an (Koran)
from the early 9th-10th cen, ink and gold on vellum, with writing from right to left. No images of Allah found in the ___ - it was rather abstract, floral, and focused a lot on calligraphy and the beauty of words due to the restrictions on imagery. Composed of the dictated revelations to Muhammad. The revelations were memorized by Muhammad and then dictated to his companions, then written down by scribes. No word of its 114 suras, or chapters, has been changed over the centuries, making the ____ that much more of a unique and miraculous text. Considered to be Islam's holy book; deals with subjects like wisdom, doctrine, worship, and law, but its basic theme is the relationship between God and His creatures. The ___ cannot be translated - believers must read it in Arabic for it to serve as the direct word of God. This makes the ___ unavailable to non-Arabic speaking people. This is unlike Christianity which has several different forms of translation of the Bible. Muslims are also told in the ____, however, to read 3 other holy books as well: the Torah (the first five books of the Old Testament), the Zabur (the Psalms of David) and the the Injeel (the Gospel of Christ). This may explain why Muslims were relatively tolerant of other beliefs (Muslim law also mandates the protection of minorities, and that includes other religions in Islamic dynasties)
Abbot Suger
the man responsible for the creation of Gothic architecture and stained glass. He believed that God revealed himself through light and the material world, which explains his emphasis on light and luminosity. He correlated the light passing through the stained glass with the Holy Spirit passing through Mary's womb. Stained glass was his way of evoking his fascination of light and its astonishment in a new way.
Islam
the world's second largest religion. As Arabs from tribal societies expanded (and their military power grew) across the Mediterranean and gained a lot of power quickly, they came into conflict with the Byzantine empire and Germanic tribes. As___ fought over the land, Byzantium was shaken, and____ ultimately triumphed, leading to much of Western culture developing out of ___culture.. The word ___ means "submission to God." Founded 610 A.D. by Muhammad. The main reason for the rapid (and peaceful) spread of ___ the simplicity of its doctrine, which calls for faith in only one God. It also repeatedly instructs its believers to use their intelligence and observation - this led to great civilizations and universities flourishing.
5 Pillars of Islam
these five principles compose the framework and foundation of obedience for Muslims. 1) Pilgrimage (Hajj): If physically and financially possible, a Muslim (typically a man) must make the pilgrimage to Mecca in Saudi Arabia at least once in their lifetime. This pilgrimage is performed in the 12th month of the Islamic calendar. Pilgrims wear simple clothes to strip away anything that would signify class and culture, so that all are equal under God 2) Profession of the faith, belief in one God, Allah (shahada) - The shahada shows that a Muslim believes in Allah alone and believes that Muhammad reveals Allah and is the messenger of Allah. A person can also convert to Islam by stating this creed: "la ilaha illa allah. Muhammad rasul Allah." 3) Fasting (sawm) during Ramadan in the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. This includes not eating or drinking from dawn until sunset. Regarded as a method of self-purification and allows a person to become closer to Allah and grow in one's spiritual life during this fasting period. 4) Praying five times a day towards/facing Mecca 5) Offering alms (zakat) - this alms giving is a certain percentage (usually somewhere around 2.5%) given once a year to the disadvantaged and poor. Should be done anonymously and each Muslim decides how much they are to give. Comes from the idea that all things belong to God, and so Allah makes wealth possible. The word zakat means both 'purification' and 'growth'
