Unit 2: The Art of Ancient Rome (509 BCE–337 CE)

Etruscans

Ancient civilization that dominated central Italy, influencing Roman architecture, particularly in temple design.

Tuscan Order

A simplified Doric column characterized by a base and an unfluted shaft.

Opus caementicium

Roman concrete, a revolutionary building material that allowed for new architectural forms.

Arch

A structure composed of wedge-shaped stones (voussoirs) designed to support weight and channel forces.

Barrel Vault

An architectural element formed by extending an arch into a tunnel-like structure.

Groin Vault

The intersection of two barrel vaults, allowing for greater span and light entry.

Colosseum

A large amphitheater in Rome designed for public entertainment, showcasing the use of groin vaults.

Pantheon

A temple in Rome dedicated to all gods, noted for its large dome and oculus.

The Oculus

The circular opening at the top of the Pantheon, serving as the main light source.

Verism

A hyper-realistic style of portraiture prevalent in Roman Republican sculpture emphasizing age and experience.

Gravitas

A Roman virtue embodying seriousness of mind and responsibility.

Virtus

A Roman virtue that signifies moral strength and valor.

Imagines

Death masks of ancestors kept in house shrines during the Roman Republic.

Augustus of Prima Porta

A statue representing Emperor Augustus, portraying him with idealized features for propaganda.

Cuirass

A breastplate depicted on the Augustus of Prima Porta symbolizing military victory.

Horror Vacui

A style characterized by a fear of empty space, leading to densely packed compositions in art.

Ludovisi Battle Sarcophagus

A late imperial sculpture depicting chaotic battle scenes with crowded figures.

Frescoes

Wall paintings executed on freshly laid wet plaster, often found in Roman domestic architecture.

Fourth Style

The most eclectic style of Roman painting, blending elements from previous styles in chaotic arrangements.

Tesserae

Small cubes of stone or glass used in Roman mosaics to create images.

Alexander Mosaic

A famous mosaic from Pompeii depicting the battle between Alexander the Great and Darius III.

Foreshortening

A technique used in painting to create the illusion of depth by depicting objects receding into the background.

Domus

A private house in ancient Rome, often decorated with elaborate frescoes and mosaics.

Hierarchical Orders

The use of different column styles in architecture to indicate status, with Tuscan at the bottom and Corinthian on top.

Bread and Circuses

A political phrase referring to the provision of entertainment and food to placate the populace.

Apollodorus of Damascus

The architect known for designing the Forum of Trajan, featuring significant civic buildings.

Coffers

Sunken panels in the dome of the Pantheon, used to reduce the weight of the structure.