AP Art History : Ancient Through Medieval Architecture

Study concepts, example questions & explanations for AP Art History

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Example Questions

Example Question #1 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Ancient Greek And Roman Architecture

An Ionic column is distinguished by __________.

Possible Answers:

ornate ornamentation in its base

floral ornaments in its capital

scroll-shaped ornaments in its capital

a plain, heavy base

Correct answer:

scroll-shaped ornaments in its capital

Explanation:

The three "classical orders" applied to columns in Ancient Greek architecture are Doric, Ionian, and Corinthian, going from least to most ornate. The Ionic column is most easily distinguished by its capital, or the top of the column. On every Ionic column, a scroll-shaped ornamentation is placed at the top portion of the column.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Ancient Greek And Roman Architecture

Female figures supporting an overhang in place of columns are known as __________.

Possible Answers:

serdabs

kouros

caryatids

amphorae

Correct answer:

caryatids

Explanation:

Often found in Ancient Greek architecture, female figures used as part of or in place of plainer columns are known as caryatids.

Example Question #22 : Ancient Greek And Roman Architecture

What is not part of the Doric order, one of the three Classical Greek architectural orders?

Possible Answers:

Shaft

Base

Stylobate

Abacus

Stereobate

Correct answer:

Base

Explanation:

Columns in the Doric order sit directly on the stylobate without a base. The other two Classical Greek orders, Ionic and Corinthian, both employ bases.

Example Question #811 : Ap Art History

A ______________ column resembles a Doric column, but it is unfluted and has a base.

Possible Answers:

Ionic

Tuscan

Corinthian

Cycladian

Correct answer:

Tuscan

Explanation:

Tuscan columns are the standard type of Etruscan column. They closely resemble Doric columns, but are usually made of wood, have a base and are not fluted along the shaft.

Example Question #218 : 3 D Art

The chamber at the center of an ancient temple is called a ________________.

Possible Answers:

caldarium

cella

peristyle

cubiculum

Correct answer:

cella

Explanation:

The "cella" is the central room or chamber of an ancient temple; often this is where the cult statue of the god or goddess would be set up.

Example Question #219 : 3 D Art

A _____________ is a circular building in Greek and Roman architecture. 

Possible Answers:

tholos

rotunda

mausoleum

basilica

Correct answer:

tholos

Explanation:

In Greek and Roman architecture, a circular building is called a tholos. The tholos (plu. tholoi) is more common in Greek architecture than in Roman architecture; normally they were used for circular temples or shrines. In the Mycenaean tradition, the term "tholos" refers to a kind of circular, beehive-shaped tomb.

Example Question #811 : Ap Art History

A horizontal area of sculpted decoration on a wall close to the ceiling is known as a(n) ___________________.

Possible Answers:

arcade

architrave

entablature

cornice

frieze

Correct answer:

frieze

Explanation:

A frieze is a sculpted decoration near the ceiling of a temple or other structure from classical architecture. The rest are all other architectural terms: an entablature is the upper section of a building's facade supported by columns; a cornice is the top part of the entablature; an architrave is the lower part of the entablature; and an arcade is a series of columns with arches spanning the distance between them.

Example Question #812 : Ap Art History

A __________ is a triangular gable found over major architectural elements, especially the porch of Classical temples.

Possible Answers:

Stylobate

Echinus

Entablature

Pediment

Correct answer:

Pediment

Explanation:

The triangular gable over a major architectural element is called a pediment. In Classical and especially Greek temples, the pediment is decorated with a sculpture that tells a story or a myth. The pediment is the defining architectural feature of the Classical temple, and it also shows up a lot in Greek Revival architecture in Europe and the United States.

Example Question #2 : Understanding Terminology That Describes Ancient Greek And Roman Architecture

The ______________ refers to the use of a different architectural order (Tuscan, Ionic, Corinthian) on each level of a building, as on the Colosseum.

Possible Answers:

progression of orders

rhythmos

progression of columns

symmetria

Correct answer:

progression of orders

Explanation:

The use of different architectural orders on each level of a building is called the progression of orders. In Classical architecture, each "order" refers to a particular style, identifiable mostly by the profile and proportions of the columns. The progression of orders takes these structural elements and uses them as decorative elements, especially in Roman and Neoclassical architecture.

Example Question #811 : Ap Art History

A(n) ___________ is a circular opening at the top & center of a dome.

Possible Answers:

rose window

impluvium

oculus

ambulatory

apse

Correct answer:

oculus

Explanation:

This is the definition of an oculus, and can be found in the Pantheon and other Roman & Greek buildings.

The only other answer that is an open design is the rose window, but those are not found in the top of a dome.

The apse and ambulatory are specific areas in a basilica plan church, not a part of a dome.

The impluvium is an indented/sunken area in a structure to collect rain.

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