Identifying artists, works, or schools of Ancient Greek and Roman architecture
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AP Art History › Identifying artists, works, or schools of Ancient Greek and Roman architecture
Ancient Roman architecture was celebrated mainly for its technological innovation. What type of Roman architecture is not an example of technological innovation?
Parthenon
Coliseum
Aqueduct
Public Bath
Explanation
Although the Parthenon was a significant form of architecture in the ancient world, it was not Roman, but rather Greek. The Pantheon, located in central Rome, can be considered an example of Roman technological innovation.
Who was responsible for OVERSEEING the construction of the Parthenon?
Phidias
Callicrates
Ictinus
Praxiteles
Theodorus of Samos
Explanation
Ictinus and Callicrates were the architects who designed the Parthenon, but Phidias oversaw the project and was one of its founding fathers as an iconic early Classical architect and sculptor.
Who is this column associated with?
Trajan
Julius Caesar
Marcus Aurelius
Marc Antony
Octavian
Explanation
Trajan was a Roman emperor who ruled from 98-117 CE. This column was placed outside of the Forum of Trajan, where he was buried. The inscriptions on the column, as well as the surrounding buildings and structures, tell the stories of his life and success. (The others mentioned are also Roman emperors from different time periods.)
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/RomaColonnaTraiana%26BasilicaUlpia.jpg
Which ancient civilization was this column associated with?
Roman
Greek
Sumerian
Egyptian
Babylonian
Explanation
This column was a work of Roman art. It was created in 112 CE as part of a burial chamber. It is located in Rome. The other cultures mentioned also created many similar architectural feats, but they often had other distinctive characteristics.
Image accessed through Wikipedia Media Commons: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e2/RomaColonnaTraiana%26BasilicaUlpia.jpg
The Parthenon is considered the height of Classical building construction, and is situated atop the great Athenian Acropolis. It has a 9:4 length to width ratio as well as a slightly convex base and carefully carved metopes.
To what temple order does the Parthenon belong?
Doric
Ionic
Corinthian
None of the other answer choices is correct.
Phidian
Explanation
The 9:4 proportions, the slight curving of the base to make the temple look flat from far, and the metopes are all iconic of the Doric order. All other orders use slenderer proportions and do not have metopes in the frieze.
The classic Roman building featuring a ceiling of recessed coffers, a portico with a domed rotunda, and an oculus is the __________________.
Pantheon
Colosseum
Ara Pacis
Pont du Gard
Explanation
The Pantheon was built by Hadrian as a temple to all gods, and is distinguished especially by the "oculus," or "eye," in its roof. The Ara Pacis is an altar built under Augustus. The Colosseum is an arena, and the Pont du Gard, an aqueduct in southern France.