Glossary
Acropolis
A fortified hilltop complex in an ancient Greek city, serving as a religious, political, and cultural center.
Example:
The Acropolis of Athens, crowned by the Parthenon, symbolizes the golden age of ancient Greek democracy and artistic achievement.
Afterlife (Egyptian concept)
The belief in a continuation of existence after death, central to ancient Egyptian religion and funerary practices.
Example:
The elaborate preparations for burial, including mummification and tomb goods, were all designed to ensure a successful journey to the afterlife.
Apadana
The large audience hall in the Persian palace complex at Persepolis, used for important state ceremonies and receiving foreign dignitaries.
Example:
The monumental columns and relief carvings of the Apadana at Persepolis conveyed the immense power and reach of the Persian Empire.
Audience (of art)
The intended viewers or recipients of an artwork, whose understanding and interpretation are considered during its creation.
Example:
The audience for the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut included religious officials, the royal family, and the general public, all meant to witness her power.
Basilica Ulpia
A monumental public building within the Forum of Trajan, used for law courts, commerce, and public gatherings.
Example:
The Basilica Ulpia was a grand, multi-purpose hall that served as the administrative and commercial heart of the Forum of Trajan.
Code of Hammurabi
A massive basalt stele inscribed with one of the oldest known legal codes, establishing laws for Babylon under King Hammurabi.
Example:
The principle of "an eye for an eye" from the Code of Hammurabi profoundly influenced later legal systems.
Column of Trajan
A monumental Roman triumphal column in Rome, commemorating Emperor Trajan's victory in the Dacian Wars through a continuous spiral frieze.
Example:
The intricate Column of Trajan serves as a detailed visual narrative of the emperor's military campaigns, a testament to Roman engineering.
Cult Worship
Religious practices and rituals dedicated to a specific deity or deceased individual, often involving offerings and ceremonies.
Example:
The Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut was designed to facilitate cult worship of the pharaoh after her death, ensuring her eternal well-being.
Cuneiform
One of the earliest systems of writing, characterized by wedge-shaped marks, typically impressed into clay tablets.
Example:
The laws on the Code of Hammurabi were meticulously inscribed using cuneiform script.
Death Mask
A molded likeness of a deceased person's face, often made from precious materials, placed over the mummy's head to preserve identity in the afterlife.
Example:
The golden Death Mask of Tutankhamun is one of the most iconic symbols of ancient Egyptian royal authority and belief in the afterlife.
Forum of Trajan
A large imperial forum in Rome, built by Emperor Trajan, serving as a civic center and celebrating his military achievements.
Example:
The Forum of Trajan was a massive complex that included markets, a basilica, and a monumental column, all designed to glorify the emperor.
Frescoes
A technique of mural painting executed upon freshly laid, or wet, lime plaster, allowing the pigment to become an integral part of the wall.
Example:
The vibrant frescoes in the House of the Vettii depict mythological scenes and garden landscapes, showcasing Roman artistic skill.
Hatshepsut
A powerful female pharaoh of the New Kingdom in ancient Egypt, known for her prosperous reign and monumental building projects.
Example:
Hatshepsut often depicted herself with male attributes to assert her authority and legitimacy as pharaoh.
Head of a Roman Patrician
A sculpted portrait bust of a Roman aristocrat, characterized by its realistic and detailed features, emphasizing age, wisdom, and lineage.
Example:
The Head of a Roman Patrician exemplifies verism, a Roman artistic style that valued realistic depiction over idealization.
Historical Context
The social, political, economic, and cultural conditions and events that influenced the creation and meaning of an artwork.
Example:
Understanding the historical context of ancient Rome helps explain the emphasis on military victories and imperial power in the Forum of Trajan.
House of the Vettii
A well-preserved Roman villa in Pompeii, known for its elaborate frescoes and mosaics, reflecting the wealth of its merchant owners.
Example:
The House of the Vettii provides invaluable insight into the domestic life and artistic tastes of wealthy Romans before the eruption of Vesuvius.
Lararium
A shrine to the household gods (Lares) found in ancient Roman homes, where daily prayers and offerings were made.
Example:
The lararium in a Roman house served as a focal point for family religious devotion and protection.
Lex Talionis
A principle of retributive justice, meaning 'an eye for an eye,' where punishment corresponds in kind and degree to the injury.
Example:
The concept of Lex Talionis is a foundational idea in many ancient legal codes, including Hammurabi's.
Mortuary Temple
An ancient Egyptian temple built adjacent to a royal tomb, dedicated to the worship of a deceased pharaoh and associated gods.
Example:
Hatshepsut's Mortuary Temple was designed not just for burial rites but also for ongoing cult worship of the pharaoh.
Parthenon
A former temple on the Athenian Acropolis, dedicated to the goddess Athena, and a prime example of classical Greek architecture.
Example:
The Parthenon's harmonious proportions and Doric columns exemplify the ideals of classical Greek art and engineering.
Peristyle Courtyard
An open courtyard or garden surrounded by a colonnade (a series of columns) in ancient Roman and Greek architecture.
Example:
The peristyle courtyard in the House of the Vettii provided light, air, and a private garden space, serving as the heart of the home.
Persepolis
The ceremonial capital of the Achaemenid Persian Empire, known for its grand palace complex and monumental architecture.
Example:
The ruins of Persepolis showcase the architectural and artistic achievements of the ancient Persian Empire, including the impressive Apadana.
Pharaoh
The common title for the monarchs of ancient Egypt, who were considered divine rulers and intermediaries between gods and humans.
Example:
The pharaoh was seen as a living god, mediating between the human and divine realms, ensuring cosmic order.
Purpose (of art)
The reason or intention behind the creation of an artwork, often related to its function, message, or cultural role.
Example:
Understanding the purpose of an artwork, such as its use in religious rituals or political propaganda, is key to its interpretation.
Reliefs
Sculptural elements that are carved into a surface, projecting from the background rather than standing freely.
Example:
The reliefs on the Apadana depict various tributary nations bringing gifts to the Persian king, symbolizing imperial control.
Spiral Frieze
A continuous band of sculpted decoration that winds upwards around a column or other architectural element, telling a narrative.
Example:
The spiral frieze on the Column of Trajan tells the story of the Dacian Wars in chronological order, like an ancient comic strip.
Stele
An upright stone slab or pillar, often carved or inscribed, used as a monument, marker, or to display texts.
Example:
The Law Code Stele of King Hammurabi stands as a monumental testament to ancient Babylonian law.
Terraced Architecture
A building style characterized by successive platforms or levels that recede from the facade, often blending into a natural landscape.
Example:
The terraced architecture of the Mortuary Temple of Hatshepsut allowed it to integrate seamlessly with the cliffs of Deir el-Bahari.
Triclinium
A formal dining room in a Roman house, typically featuring three couches arranged in a U-shape around a table.
Example:
Guests in the triclinium of the House of the Vettii would recline while enjoying elaborate meals and conversation.
Tutankhamun's Tomb
The nearly intact burial site of the young Egyptian pharaoh Tutankhamun, discovered in 1922, containing a wealth of artifacts.
Example:
The discovery of Tutankhamun's Tomb provided an unprecedented glimpse into ancient Egyptian funerary practices and royal wealth.
Verism
A style of Roman portraiture that emphasizes hyper-realistic depiction of an individual's features, including imperfections, to convey character and experience.
Example:
The 'warts and all' approach of verism in Roman portraiture contrasted sharply with the idealized forms of Greek sculpture.