anthemion (Palmette)
A floral decorative motif in the form of a palmette, very widespread in the Greek art and architecture.
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architrave or epistyle
The lowest part of an entablature resting on the columns capitals and supporting the frieze.
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attic-ionic base
Base of an Ionic column, consisting of an upper and lower torus, separated by a scotia and fillets
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capital
The uppermost part of a column or pillar crowning the shaft and supporting the entablature. The decoration of the capital characteristizes the ancient greek orders of architecture. In Doric order the capitals are decorated with abacus and echinus, in Ionic with spiral scrolls (volutes), while the corinthian capitals are composed of small corner volutes and a basket-shaped body decorated with rows of acanthus leaves.
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cella
Interior enclosed part - nucleus of a temple or other temple-shaped building.
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coffer
Recessed ornamental square or octagonal panels sunk in the ceilings of buildings. They were decorated with relief or pictorial, usually floral, designs.
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cornice
1. (Antiq. and Byz.) Member of the entablature or the architrave that projects in the elevation of a secular or religious building. As a horizontal member it may run along a wall. The cornice may also be the projecting part of the roof, protecting the building from rain.2. (Byz. archit.) Decorative architectural element used to articulate the walls of a church, both on the inside and on the outside, by marking the division between the vertical wall and the spring of the vaults. It usually bears painted or sculptural decoration of vegetal or geometric motifs.
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crepis / crepidoma
The solid mass of stepped masonry serving as the visible base of a building. The crepidoma usually consists of three steps. The top step from which the columns spring is called the stereobate.
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cyma / cymation
Moulding decoration with ovals or tri-cusps alternating with lotus flowers. It was meant to separate or to lay stress upon two surfaces. In ancient architecture we distinguish Doric, Ionic and Lesbian cymation, according to their decoration and section form.
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doric order, the
One of the three orders or organizational systems of Ancient Greek originated on the mainland and western Greece. It is characterized by short, faceted, heavy columns with plain, round capitals (tops) and no base. The capital consists of a necking which is of a simple form. The echinus is convex and the abacus is square. Above the capital is a square abacus connecting the capital to the entablature. The Entablature is divided into two horizontal registers, the lower part of which is either smooth or divided by horizontal lines. The upper half is distinctive for the Doric order. The frieze of the Doric entablature is divided into triglyphs and metopes. A triglyph is a unit consisting of three vertical bands which are separated by grooves. Metopes are plain or carved reliefs.The Doric order comes without an individual base. They instead are placed directly on the stylobate. The capital consists of a necking which is of a simple form. The echinus is convex and the abacus is square. Above the capital is a square abacus connecting the capital to the entablature. The Entablature is divided into two horizontal registers, the lower part of which is either smooth or divided by horizontal lines. The upper half is distinctive for the Doric order. The frieze of the Doric entablature is divided into triglyphs and metopes. A triglyph is a unit consisting of three vertical bands which are separated by grooves. Metopes are plain or carved reliefs.The Doric order comes without an individual base. They instead are placed directly on the stylobate.
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echinus, the
The part of the Doric column, below the abacus,which resembles a sea-urchin and has a curvilinear shape.
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entablature, the
The upper part of the classical order, that rests on the columns, it consists of the architrave, frieze and cornice.
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frieze (1. architecture), (2. painting)
1. The part of the entablature resting on the architrave and below the cornice. In the Doric order the frieze is decorated with two alternative motives, namely the triglyph and metope, while in the Ionic order the frieze is a decoratively carved band.2. Decorative horizontal band that sweeps parts of a vessel or the highest part of the walls in a room.
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intercolumnar space (or intercolumniation)
The space between two adjacent columns.
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ionic order, the
An architectural order devised in Ionia and developed in Asia Minor and the Greek islands in the 6th century BC. Its columns have elaborately moulded bases, fluted shafts (with fillets, ending in fillets), and volute capitals. The entablature consists of an three-fasciae archirave, a continuous frieze, usually richly decorated with reliefs, and a cornice. The Ionic order was more elaborate in dimentions, comparing with the Doric.
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metope (1. architecture, 2. painting)
1. Rectangular element separating the triglyphs on a Doric frieze. Metopes often have figurative relief representations.2. rectangular area, usually at the height of the vessel's handles, depicting figural or non figural ornamental representations.
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opus caementicium
Roman technique of constructing structures using concrete. It was spread in the east part of the Roman Empire after 50 BC.
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orthostate
A course of blocks laid on edge, normally in the lower part of the wall of a building.
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peristasis
The collonade surrounding a building.
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proconsul, -lis
A quite high ranking official, vir spectabilis according to the rank of the senate, who was inequable only to the Domestikos of the Scholae and to the Magister Militum per Orientem. The proconsul usually served as a governor of the Imperial provinces (i.e. in Asia Minor the provinces of Asia and Cappadocia). The office was demoted from the 9th century onwards and the term was in use until the 12th century meaning a dignity.
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pseudo-isodomic masonry
Masonry built of blocks of the same height within each course , but each course varying in height.
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semi-column, the
Half column projecting out of the surface of a relief structure.
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sima, sime
Part of architectural sculpture made of marble or clay. Its bears a meticulous appearance and it has a decorative character crowning the entablature. Its section is semicircural and it was used to channel water.
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stylobate
The top step of the crepidoma (the stepped foundation of an ancient Greek building) from which the columns rise.
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triglyph
One of the vertical blocks separating the metopes in the Doric frieze.
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