Final Questions

Which ruler conquered the Persian Empire in 334 BCE?

Alexander III of Macedon (Alexander the Great) conquered the Persian empire in 334 BCE

Define amphora

Amphora is one of the principal vessel shapes in Greek pottery. It is a two-handled pot with a neck narrower than the body. This type of pottery was used to transport olive oil and wine (secondary products).

What was the legend of Romulus and Remus?

In Roman legend, twin brothers who were raised by a she-wolf and founded the city of Rome.

Which term describes the followers of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam that believe that only one god created the rules of the universe?

Monotheism

What kind of patterns appear on the belt buckle from the Sutton Hoo ship burial?

On the great gold belt buckle from the Sutton Hoo burial, we see intricate interlaced patterns. Inside this belt buckle is the inscription of over thirteen animals, making patterns. This is an example of the medieval technique of representing nature in their artwork.

What was the main purpose of the Colosseum in Rome?

Roman audiences watched a variety of athletic events, blood sports, and spectacles, including animal hunts, fights to the death between gladiators or between gladiators and wild animals, performances of trained animals and acrobats, and even mock sea battles in the Colosseum.

What kinds of building projects did Roman Emperors sponsor, and what two main purposes did they serve?

Roman emperors sponsored amphitheaters which were open-air building with rounded edges and tiered seating used for entertainment. The purposes of these buildings were to entertain the masses and gain their political support, and for public executions such as the infamous execution.

Explain what Polykleitos' "canon of proportions" was

Using the idea of symetria and the golden ratio, his canon of proportions to create statues of young male athletes was created. These proportions were based on the golden rectangle and are best shown in his statue of Doryphorus.

What is a metope?

a square space between triglyphs in a Doric frieze.

What new building material did Roman architects use, and what were the advantages of this material?

concrete, a new building material made from cement and crushed stone or sand. It was the biggest invention from the 1st century because it had many benefits including cheap, less skilled labor, it was plentiful and allowed for more construction, it could be poured into molds, and it was durable and sets underwater.

What features of the tiny golden chariot (see below) allow us to conjure up how the ancient Persians run their empire? How was such a vast empire (sometimes also called the Achaemenid Empire), which ran from present day Turkey and Egypt in the west to Afghanistan and Pakistan in the east, ruled?

- 2 figures shown are from different ethnicities, and their costumes represent their ethnicities as well. - shows diversity and tolerance throughout their empire - many different languages and gods - the costumes show their status symbols and the bigger figure depicts higher status than the smaller one. larger person may be a satrap and the smaller one may be a servant. conveys there was division in power based on one's job and financial status. - offered protection from dangerous trips along the highway.

Define shifting perspectives that appears in Chinese landscape paintings. Provide an example.

- A Chinese painting is not restricted by the focal point in its perspective. They want to break away from the restrictions of time and space and to include in their pictures both things which are far and things which are near. - One example of this is the painting Travelers Among Mountains and Streams. The trees seem to be very close to the audience, whereas the travelers in the distance seem to be farther away.

What is a stupa and what is its function in Buddhism?

- A stupa is a large, mound shaped buddhist shrine. - Derived from burial mounds, stupas hold relics. Each structure is surrounded by toranas and sits on a terrace topped by a dome, mast, and disk-shaped "umbrellas," emphasizes the circular structure and idea of the world; circumambulation.

Who was Charlemagne, and why is he historically important?

- Charlemagne was king of the Franks (768-814). - He founded the Holy Roman Empire, stimulated European economic and political life, and fostered the cultural revival known as the Carolingian Renaissance.

What is the symbolism of the Cupid riding a dolphin at the feet of the Augustus of Prima Porta?

- Cupid is Venus' son. So Cupid riding a dolphin at the feet of the Augustus symbolizes Augustus' claims of divine lineage to the Julian family of Athens who founded Italy and Venus - dolphin may refer to the birth of Venus who emerged from the sea. It also refers to Augustus' naval victory at Actium

How does Islamic art and architecture synthesize a broad range of cultural traditions with its own stylistic concerns? Provide examples.

- During the early centuries of Islamic history, the Muslim world's political and cultural center was the Fertile Crescent of ancient Mesopotamia, but with rapid expansion of Muslim power, new dynasties were established. - One example of the synthesis of a broad range of cultural traditions within its own stylists concerns is the Cordoba Mosque in Spain. While this mosque is unique in its Islamic significance, it demonstrates architectural techniques such as arches and columns like those from the Greek and Roman empires.

How did Chinese art explore human relationships and the relationship between human and nature?

- Human relationships have always been of supreme importance in China, and a common theme of figure painting is that of gentlemen enjoying scholarly pursuits together or of the poignant partings and infrequent reunions that were the lot of officials whose appointments took them across the country. - Among the typical themes of traditional Chinese art there is no place for war, violence, the nude, death, or martyrdom. Nor is inanimate matter ever painted for art's sake alone: the very rocks and streams are felt to be alive, visible manifestations of the invisible forces of the universe.

What were the icons in the Byzantine Empire? How were they used? Why do all icons look alike?

- Icons are a portrait or image; especially in the Byzantine churches, a panel with a painting of sacred personages that are objects of veneration. In the visual arts, a painting, a piece of sculpture, or even a building is regarded as an object of veneration. - They were often believed to have protective properties. People would pray to them. - All icons look similar so that there is power in their divinity. Icons are meant to depict Christ the virgin, or saints, showing resemblance throughout their appearances.

Explain the subject matter of this mosaic. Who are the individuals represented, and how can we identify who they are?

- Justinian is posed frontally in the center. He is haloed and wears a crown and a purple imperial robe. - surrounded by members of his clergy on his left with the most prominent figure the Bishop Maximianus of Ravenna being labeled with an inscription. - To his right appears members of the imperial administration identified with his purple stripe, and at the very far left side of the mosaic appears a group of soldiers. - The clergy and Justinian carry in sequence from right to left a censer, the gospel book, the cross, and the bowl for the bread of the Eucharist.

What specific elements in the decoration of the illuminated gospels reflect the influence of the migrations arts (Celtic art or sometimes called art of the warlords (400-600))?

- The hierarchy between the literate and the illiterate. - The gospels were originally written in Greek. Shows devotion to god. - The texts hides communication from supernatural evils. The art demonstrated those of Celtic art - intricately and sophisticatedly monogrammed.

What are the characteristics of Roman veristic portraiture (see below)? Why did the Romans choose to represent themselves this way? What did it communicate?

- Verism/veristic portrait was an artistic style that is true to natural appearance and very realistic - depicted the natural human figure and was not idealized. All veristic portraits came from Roman elite family - Romans choose to represent themselves this way because it portrayed age and wisdom

What strikes most about the statue (see below) as being markedly different from the Buddha images you've seen?

- graceful and more active poses - precious jewelry and elegant garments -standing up not sitting down

What are some of the symbols used in Early Christian art?

- outstretched hands "orant" of praying figure - reclining Jonah with arm over head is based on mythical figure of Endymion (wish to sleep forever becoming ageless and immortal) - icons - Good Shepherd and flock -two fish and trident, disguised cross

What three cities did Constantine build churches in?

1) Istinpolin 2) Stamboul 3) Istanbul

List the three social classes of Roman society.

1) Patricians: superior family clans, had different ancestors, 2) Plebeians: roman social class made up of small farmers, merchants, and freed slaves, 3) Slaves: not considered humans, just factors in human production

Who are the Four Evangelists, and what are their symbols?

1) Saint Matthew, a divine man, representing his family lineage 2) Saint Mark, a winged lion, representing royalty and son god 3) Saint Luke, a winged ox, representing priestly character of Lord and sacrifices for redemption 4) Saint John, a rising eagle, everlasting life

Who founded the Islamic religion, and where and when did it originate?

1) Who: Profit Muhammad 2) Where: Mecca and Medina 3) When: Start of 7th century

Describe/explain what is represented in each of the labeled parts of the image.

1. Jonah being swallowed by a sea creature. Arm across head is a symbol of sleep. 2. Lady in orant position. Man is learned in scriptures. Faces are unfinished. 3. Reference to Good Shepherd, symbolized that the faithful are Christ's flock and he will look after them and lead towards paradise. 4. Scene of baptism, John the Baptist and Christ, conversion to Christianity.

What is cloisonné?

A decorative metalwork technique employing cloisons; also, decorative brickwork in later Byzantine architecture.

What feature do Greek kouroi and standing figures in Egyptian art have in common?

A rigid, upright stance

Why did Greek Classical sculptors prefer to work with bronze instead of marble?

Bronze was the original material for Greek sculpture and never went out of style. It was always in demand for it re-use in later periods. When bronze deteriorates, the excellence of the work still remains (very durable over time.)

What did early Jews and Christians use for burials and funerary ceremonies?

Catacombs which were underground cemeteries with tunnels and rooms for burial chambers.

What was the "tetrarchy"?

Diocletian's response to the size of the empire.The tetrarchy meant the empire would be ruled by four people: two senior Augusts and two junior Caesars. The Tetrarchy was short lived and very quickly became unstable, as the four emperors sought to take power for themselves after Diocletian and Maximian retired or stood down

What did Constantine issue in 313 CE that became a model of religious tolerance?

Edict of Milan - granted Christianity and many other religions legal status

Who sponsored the church of Hagia Sophia in Istanbul (present-day Turkey)? What was innovative about the design of the Hagia Sophia?

Emperor Justinian I - In order to create the largest interior space possible, they designed an enormous dome and supported it using a revolutionary construction method called pendentives. Hagia Sophia makes use of four triangular pendentives which allow for the weight of the circular dome to transition to a square supporting superstructure below without massive pillars or columns interrupting the internal space.

What is a mosaic?

Patterns or pictures made by embedding small pieces (tesserae) of stone or glass in cement on surfaces such as walls and floors. Also, the technique of making such works.

Describe the main differences between Greek black figure and red figure vase painting

Red figure pottery consists of red images against a black background, while black figure pottery consists of black pictures against the naturally red color of the vase.

What was the Silk Road and what was its purpose?

The Silk Road was a network of trade routes which connected the East and the West, and was central to the economic, cultural, political, and religious interactions between these regions.

What does the term "Byzantine" mean, and what is the significance of the location?

The art, territory, history, and culture of the Eastern Christian Empire and its capital of Constantinople. The term "Byzantine" derives from Byzantium, an ancient Greek colony founded by a man named Byzas. Located on the European side of the Bosporus (the strait linking the Black Sea to the Mediterranean), the site of Byzantium was ideally located to serve as a transit and trade point between Europe and Asia.

Describe the Classical Contrapposto pose. How is it different from Egyptian and Greek archaic art?

The classical contrapposto pose was called the "contrary pose." It was a pose in Greek art that portrayed the human figure in which one part is turned in opposition to another part (usually hips and legs one way, shoulders and chest another), creating a counter-positioning of the body about its central axis. It was Sometimes called "weight shift" because the weight of the body tends to be thrown to one foot, creating tension on one side and relaxation on the other. This pose is different from the way the human figure was represented in Egyptian and Greek Archaic art was that it was the idealized representation of the human body, not as much natural or realistic. It showed that humans were capable of movement and did not focus as much on precise proportions. Egyptian and Archaic art were more angular and frontal than the turned and shifted contrapposto pose.

How does the statue group representing the Tetrarchy differ from traditional Roman portraits?

The four figures here show a lack of individualism, and the forms emphasize abstraction more than realism. They seem to represent a militaristic and severe viewpoint rather than a classicizing one. This is done through dress, poses, and medium.

What was the function of these friezes in the Borobudur, 800 (Java Island, Indonesia)?

The pilgrim to this shrine would first have been led around the base and shown the friezes, which illustrate the consequences of living in the World of Desire. In this realm ruled by greed, envy, and ignorance, man is a slave to earthly desires and suffers from the illusions that are caused by these unfulfilled yearnings, a state regarded as hell by Buddhists.

What is the significance of the Behistun Inscription?

The text of the Behistun inscription describes the early military campaigns of the Achaemenid rule King Darius I (522 to 486 BCE). The inscription, carved shortly after Darius's accession to the throne between 520 and 518 BCE, gives autobiographical, historical, royal and religious information about Darius: the Behistun text is one of several pieces of propaganda establishing Darius's right to rule.

What does Polykleitos' Doryphoros represent?

This statue represents the perfection of the golden ratio (rectangle) in classic Greek art. The figure is in the contrapposto pose and displays realism. It was created to remember a young athlete/champion and was carved from bronze, which was a precious material.

What was the iconoclastic controversy about?

Whether or not images of religious ideas or figures could be used and/or worshipped. This led to the separation of Roman Catholicism and Greek orthodoxy.

How does Zhao Mengfu's Twin Pines, Level Distance (see below) create a sense of shifting perspective?

Zhao sought to capture nature's quintessential rhythms. The characteristics of rocks and trees, felt by the artist and acted out through his calligraphic brushwork, are imbued with a heightened sense of life energy the goes beyond more representation.

What does the title "Augustus" mean?

a masculine given name derived from Augustus, meaning "majestic," "the increaser," or "venerable".

In China, calligraphy is closely related to the art of painting and considered...

a reflection of the writer's character

Why is the Augustus of Prima Porta important?

one of the ways that the ancients used art for propagandistic purposes. Overall, this statue is not simply a portrait of the emperor, it expresses Augustus' connection to the past, his role as a military victor, his connection to the gods, and his role as the bringer of the Roman Peace.

What was the Ara Pacis?

structure built to celebrate the return of Augustus from his military campaign in Spain and Gual.