5. Byzantine/Islamic Flashcards Preview

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Flashcards in 5. Byzantine/Islamic Deck (14)
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1
Q

Describe the structural difference between a Roman and Byzantine dome:

A

Roman: flatter dome on top of drum, load carried straight down
Byzantine: taller, sloped dome, load disperses by pendentives and squinches

2
Q

Byzantine architecture can be credited with the invention of what two new structural techniques?

A

a. pendentives

b. flying buttress

3
Q

Describe the difference between a Roman space and a Byzantine space:

A

B: planned to be more spatially dynamic and complex
R: everything is simple and clearly articulated, repeated use of structural model dome

4
Q

What is the role of a pendentive?

A

transition between circular dome sitting on a square body, disperse weight of dome

5
Q

Why did Byzantine churches employ gold leaf mosaics in their interiors?

A

to portray to realm of heaven, create “heaven on earth”

6
Q

Describe the difference between a Byzantine church’s exterior and its interior. What was the reason for this difference?

A

exterior: minimal and plain (earthy)
interior: elaborate and rich, gold detailing (heavenly)
to create the notion of the elegance of heaven vs. the dullness of earth; life will get better after death

7
Q

Constantine built his new capital at ____________.

A

Constantinople

8
Q

Compare the Basilica Ulpia to the design of Old St. Peter’s church:

A

enter through short side instead of long side in St. Peters, plan rotated 90 degrees, no use of Roman exterior veneer of marble to heighten

9
Q

The primary difference between the design of the interior Roman bath and that of a Byzantine church was:

A

Roman bath did not have central axis like church; baths had palisters, churches did not

10
Q

Which space has the larger dimension: the Pantheon or Hagia Sophia?

A

Hagia Sophia

11
Q

Why were Moslem architects able to build high profile domes while Byzantine builders were not?

A

they used wood

12
Q

Early Moslem architecture can be credited with what three architectural innovations?

A

a. high profile dome
b. pointed arch
c. squinch

13
Q

What is a squinch?

A

a series of arches built upon one another to span the space between a circular dome and square bay

14
Q

To span the space between a circular dome and a square bay, Moslem architects typically used a series of arches built upon one another. This device is known as a ________.

A

squinch