acanthus
Herbaceous plant with prickly leaves; popular motif in architectural decoration.

anta or pilaster, the
A shallow rectagular feature projecting from a wall, having a capital and a base and architecturally treated as a column.

astragal
A decorative motif that consists of half-round surfaces alterating with flat planes (fillets). It occurs oftenly on architectural elements, relief, under an ionic or lesbian cymation.

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.

chiton, the
Item of clothing consisting of a square woollen textile seamed on both sides.

codex
Manuscript of papyrus, parchment or paper bound according to the form of a today book. The most common type of book during the medieval period. In the 4th century it replaced the roll thanks to its facilities: the codex could be easily opened to any page, the text could be written on both sides of the sheet and was better perserved.

himation, the
Rectangular woolen (mainly) cloth that was worn over the chiton (cloak). It could be wrapped around the shoulders and the body in different ways and was fastened with a belt or with brooches.

in situ (lat.)
in the initial position.

lintel
The upper section of a gate.

low relief, the
Sculptural structure in which the figures do not protrude much from the carved surface.

medallion
In byzantine painting the term indicates the circle containing representations of the busts of holy figures, floral or geometrical patterns as well as inscriptions.

naos (nave)
The main part of the temple, between the narthex and the bema. It was the place where the congregation took part in the liturgy.

narthex
A portico or a rectangular entrance-hall, parallel with the west end of an early Christian basilica or church.

niche
Semi-circular recess on the surface of the wall.

panel
section of space or floor.

scroll
A long and narrow parchment rolled around a wooden pole.

stylisized
rendered in a conventional way.

symbols of the four Evangelists
The four parts of the Tetramorph in Ezekiel’s vision, that is, an angel, a lion, an eagle and an ox, each associated with one of the four Gospels from the 2nd century onwards and at some point considered as the symbols of the four Evangelists (Matthew - Angel; Mark - Lion; Luke - Ox; John - Eagle).