Exam 1: Ancient Cultures Flashcards
(112 cards)
Agency
Idea that by creating an image of something, you can gain some control over it. (Example: cave paintings of hunts)
Ritual
ceremony of possible religious importance (EX: in prehistoric culture, caves were sometimes viewed as passages into the underworld. These were the places of rituals connected to such a passage).
Archaeoastronomy
The study of how people in the past “have understood the phenomena in the sky, how they used these phenomena and what role the sky played in their cultures.” Ex. Stonehenge (giant calendar to predict solstices)
Ziggurat
Ziggurat: huge structure where gods were believed to dwell (shows a society where they control the people and do work—comes from Mesopotamian word for mountain) Ex. Ziggurat of Ur
Stele
a free standing stone, usually a monument Ex. Stele of Hammurabi (Babylon)
Relief
A three-dimensional work of art carved out of a flat background surface. Ex. Exile of the Israelites (from a palace in Assyria)
Epic
long narrative poem in elevated language, follows important characters in adventures which usually entail a visit to the world of the dead Ex. The Epic of Gilgamesh
Epithet
word or phrase that characterizes a person (Ex: Good King or Cunning Hero)
Hieratic Scale
More important individuals are portrayed as taller, larger than life. The tallest person in a work of art is the most important. Ex. The “Royal Standard of Ur” where king is larger than everyone else
Sphinx
Body of a lion, head of a man. Supposed to be a representation of the pharaoh Khafre. Largest statue made in the ancient world (defiled by a Muslim holy man… not Napoleon…) Ex. The Egyptian Sphinx
Polytheism
religious worship of more than one god Ex. the Greeks
Cult Statue
figure to be worshipped, big
Ex. Head of the goddess Inanna
Votive Statue
smaller statues of worshippers Ex. Eannatum
Pediment
the triangular structure under the roof Ex. on the Parthenon
Frieze
band of art (painted or sculpted) on wall or near ceiling
Naos
rare, classical temple. A central room in every temple, it is where the cult statue will be placed. (We do not need to know these)
Agora
central spot of action in Greek life and city states. A public meeting place, marketplace, and civic center
Acropolis
city center, hill for political discussion. Literally “Top of the City” the natural citadel of a Greek city that served as a fortification or religious center.
Symposium
gathering of men, initially for the purpose of sharing poetry, food, and wine
Invocation to the Muse
begins every epic, comparable to a prayer. The muses are goddesses of the arts. Help in telling the story and to tell it well. Ex: Odyssey- they invoke the muse, Memory, as they begin their story in medias res.
in medias res
a term meaning a story or epic starts in the middle of the story, not the beginning
Canon of Proportions
art with proportions based on a unit, such as a body part Ex. Mycerinus sculpture–one clenched fist is one “unit”
Protogeometric Pottery
Swirls, bands, simple designs and colors
Geometric Pottery
Lots of angled designs, busy with many registers, highly schematic human figures
Ex. Dipylon amphora → very large pot with open base. Painted with a depiction of a funeral of a woman.
