Quizlet Chapter 5 - Ancient Greek Art

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  1. Hellenistic: term given to the culture that developed after the death of Alex the Great in 323 BCE and lasted almost 3 centuries until the Roman conquest of Egypt in 31 BCE
  2. Nike: athena's attendant who is the personification of victory
  3. acropolis: high city
  4. amphora: two-handled storage jar
  5. caryatid: a female figure that functions as a supporting column
  6. cella: the chamber at the center of an ancient temple
  7. centaur: mythological beast that was part man, part horse
  8. contrapposto: counterbalance
  9. entablature: the part of a building above the columns and below the roof
  10. entasis: the convex profile in the shaft of a column
  11. frieze: the part of an entablature between the architrave and cornice; any scupltured or painted band in a building
  12. gigantomachy: battle of gods and giants
  13. humanism: emphasis on education and on expanding knowledge, exploration of individuals potential and a desire to excel, and a commitment to civic responsibilities and moral duty
  14. kore: statue of a goddess or maiden
  15. kouros: statue of male youth
  16. krater: an ancient Greek wide-mouthed bowl for mixing wine and water
  17. meander: key pattern around the rim of a krater
  18. metope: panel between the triglyphs in a Doric frieze, often sculpted in relief
  19. naos: in a classical temple, this room is where the cult statue usually stood
  20. parapet: a low, protective wall along the edge of a balcony or roof
  21. pediment: the triangular space (gable) at the end of a building, formed by the ends of the sloping roof above the colonnade
  22. peplos: simple, long, woolen, belted garment
  23. peripteral: single row of columns on all sides
  24. peristyle: a colonnade all around the cella and its porch(es)
  25. portico: roofed colonnade
  26. stereobate: the first step leading up to a building, such as the Parthenon
  27. tholos: temple with a circular plan
  28. triglyph: a triple projecting, grooved member of a Doric frieze that alternates with metopes
  29. volute: spiral, scroll-like form characteristic of the Ionic order