Early Byzantine Art

Question 1

During the reign of ________, the capital of the Roman Empire moved to Byzantium

Answer 1

Theodosius II

Question 2

Theodosius II was known for building _____ and commanding ________.

Answer 2

city walls; land and sea trade routes

Question 3

How long was the Byzantine Golden Age?

Answer 3

408 AD (with Theodosius II) to end of the 6th century

Question 4

The city walls of Theodosius were very strong and held until the coming of cannons in ____

Answer 4

1453

Question 5

What were some aspects of Theodosius II’s city walls?

Answer 5

Golden Horn
Complex land defense system – alternating walls, terraces, moats
Inner walls
Fortified gates
Independent Towers
Firing platforms
Golden Gate

Question 6

What was the ancient masonry system used in Theodosius II’s wall?

Answer 6

Alternating stone and brick with a core of concrete

Question 7

What was the primary weakness of Theodosius II’s wall?

Answer 7

The Golden Gate

Question 8

Justinian I ruled the West/East side of the Roman Empire

Answer 8

East

Question 9

What was Justinian I known for during his reign?

Answer 9

Defended against invaders
Reorganized govt
Justinianic Code
Regain lost western territory
New west capital = Ravenna
New Tax system (burden!)
Nika rebellion

Question 10

What destroyed the first Hagia Sophia?

Answer 10

The Nika Rebellion

Question 11

What was the religious sect who was discontent with the orthodoxy during the Byzantine era?

Answer 11

Monophysites

Question 12

Caesaropapism

Answer 12

The combination of a secular government with religious power

Question 13

When was the Second Council of Constantinople?

Answer 13

553 AD

Question 14

Monophysism

Answer 14

The Christian doctrine that affirms only the divine nature of Christ and denies the human.

Question 15

The Transfiguration - Year, medium, location

Answer 15

549
Apse mosaic
Church of San Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna

Question 16

What is important behind the theology of The Transfiguration?

Answer 16

It emphasizes the church’s position on the human and divine nature of Christ

Question 17

The Transfiguration uses many symbols, such as _____

Answer 17

The cross, sheep, hand of God, Moses/Elijah, St. Apollinaris

Question 18

Tell me about the landscaping of The Transfiguration. It is symmetrical/non-symmetical, with _________ units.

Answer 18

Symmetrical
Isolated, independent, decorative

Question 19

The Sacrifice of Isaac - artist, year, medium, location

Answer 19

Marianos and Anaias
518 AD
Mosaic pavement
Beth Alpha Synagogue, Galilee

Question 20

The halls of the synagogues of Galilee and Judea are decorated like ______

Answer 20

carpets

Question 21

Although the Beth Alpha Synagogue of Galilee was destroyed by _______, the _____ was preserved.

Answer 21

an earthquake
Floor

Question 22

What is the theme of The Sacrifice of Isaac?

Answer 22

Origin and fulfillment of God’s covenant with His people

Question 23

How are the figures portrayed in The Sacrifice of Isaac?

Answer 23

Full face, but profile legs and feet. Half front view, half profile.

Question 24

The binding of Isaac in The Sacrifice of Isaac is a symbol of _______ and ______

Answer 24

Perfect obedience
God’s promise

Question 25

The center of the mosaic pavement of The Sacrifice of Isaac has the _______ and personifications of the _____ surrounding the helios

Answer 25

Zodiac Seasons

Question 26

The _______ __ ___ ______ ___ determine the cycle of Jewish festivals

Answer 26

movement of the heavenly bodies

Question 27

Sumptuary arts are for the ________

Answer 27

wealthy and intellectual elite

Question 28

Hard, white material from tusks and teeth of animals, such as elephants

Answer 28

Ivory

Question 29

Diptych

Answer 29

Two separate but joined panels

Question 30

Panel of Saint Michael -- year, medium, location

Answer 30

6th century Ivory diptych (right leaf) The British Museum, London

Question 31

True or false: The face of St. Michael conforms to classical ideal in order to keep the Roman legacy alive

Answer 31

True

Question 32

St. Michael appears as a ______ ___ rather than a saint

Answer 32

classical hero (or orator)

Question 33

Tell me about the Byzantine aspects of Panel of St. Michael

Answer 33

no rational space (especially in the steps)

Question 34

The spatial ambiguity is well used in the Panel of St. Michael because ______

Answer 34

he is a divine messenger

Question 35

What does the inscription on the Panel of St. Michael say?

Answer 35

Receive these gifts, and having learned the cause...

Question 36

The Emperor Victorious - year, medium, location

Answer 36

6th century The Barberini Ivory The Louvre, Paris

Question 37

Why is it called Barberini ivory? What's the difference?

Answer 37

Complex and imperial

Question 38

The Emperor Victorious contains a combination of ______ and ____ iconography, as is typical in Constantinian art

Answer 38

Pagan Christian

Question 39

The generals in the left (and right?) panels offer ______ to the emperor in The Emperor Victorious

Answer 39

statues of victory

Question 40

The bottom panel of The Emperor Victorious contains _______

Answer 40

conquered Persians and barbarians Wild animals

Question 41

The top panel of The Emperor Victorious contains

Answer 41

Christ, blessing the emperor, with His power

Question 42

Illuminated Manuscript

Answer 42

A formally prepared document where the text is decorated with flourishes such as borders and miniature illustrations

Question 43

Portrait of the author at work with an assistant, and Inspiration - artist, year, medium, location made, current location

Answer 43

Dioscorides 512 AD Illustrated manuscript Constantinople Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

Question 44

Portrait of the author at work with an assistant, and Inspiration is also known as ______ ____

Answer 44

Vienna Dioscorides

Question 45

Portrait of the author at work with an assistant, and Inspiration is a _____ treatise

Answer 45

Scientific

Question 46

In scientific treatise, the illuminations were meant to ______ AND ______ the text

Answer 46

clarify ornament

Question 47

Portrait of the author at work with an assistant, and Inspiration is created in an abstract/realistic style

Answer 47

realistic (classical style)

Question 48

The third person in Portrait of the author at work with an assistant, and Inspiration is _____, the power of thought

Answer 48

Epinoia

Question 49

Rebecca at the Well -- year, medium, location made, current location

Answer 49

6th century, illustrated manuscript on purple vellum, Constantinople, Österreichischen Nationalbibliothek, Vienna

Question 50

Rebecca at the Well is also known as ____ _____

Answer 50

Vienna Genesis

Question 51

The purple of Rebecca at the Well represents _____

Answer 51

royalty

Question 52

The text of Rebecca at the Well is written in ______ or _____

Answer 52

silver; gold

Question 53

Rebecca at the Well is a _______ narrative

Answer 53

continuous

Question 54

What is happening in Rebecca at the Well?

Answer 54

Rebecca is carrying a jug to a personification of water/nymph at a river, then she offers the water to Eliezar and his camels

Question 55

Crucifixion & Holy Women at the Tomb - year, medium, location made, current location

Answer 55

586 AD Illustrated Manuscript on light vellum Monastery of St. John in Zagba, Syria Biblioteca Medicea Laurenziana, Florence

Question 56

Both Crucifixion & Holy Women at the Tomb are included in the _____ _____

Answer 56

Rabbula Gospels

Question 57

Crucifixion & Holy Women at the Tomb is done in the classical/neoplastic style

Answer 57

classical

Question 58

How is Christ depicted in Crucifixion?

Answer 58

Mature, alive, regal, triumphant on the cross, modest with purple robe

Question 59

Crucifixion & Holy Women at the Tomb are very narrative-based, in contrast with the ____ mosaics

Answer 59

Arian

Question 60

Crucifixion & Holy Women at the Tomb is a response to Arianism/Monophysism

Answer 60

Monophysism

Question 61

True or false: Crucifixion & Holy Women at the Tomb depicts these scenes as rooted in the real, natural world.

Answer 61

True