Deck 4: Early Christianity and Byzantium

Question 1

Christians designated the Jewish books of the Bible as the _____.

A)codex
B)Ten Commandments
C)Psalter
D)Old Testament

Answer 1

D

Question 2

The eastern Roman empire is referred to as _____.

A)Byzantium
B)Ottonian
C)Tetrarchy
D)Arian

Answer 2

A

Question 3

Artists used _____ in images to conjure up a spiritual world.

A)angels
B)a gold background
C)a blue sky
D)a landscape

Answer 3

B

Question 4

Santa Costanza is an example of which church type?

A)Pendentive system
B)Central plan
C)Longitudinal plan
D)Domed basilica

Question 5

Early Christian churches were decorated with _____, which helped instruct the congregation about Christian teachings.

A)scrolls
B)textiles
C)mosaics
D)portraits

Question 6

The ____ was a special feature of Old Saint Peter's that housed Saint Peter's relics.

A)transept
B)narthex
C)ambulatory
D)clerestory

Question 7

_____ are painted books produced before the invention of the printing press.

A)Mosaics
B)Illuminated manuscripts
C)Scrolls
D)Psalters

Question 8

Before Constantine, Christians worshiped in small numbers in _____.

A)catacombs
B)private houses
C)mausolea
D)abandoned temples

Question 9

In contrast to other churches in Ravenna, built as a _____, San Vitale resembled Justinian's other churches in Constantinople.

A)basilica
B)martyrium
C)temple
D)central plan

Question 10

Developed in the Roman period, the _____ replaced the scroll.

A)codex
B)psalter
C)Vienna Genesis
D)narthex

Question 11

The Orthodox Church recognized Mary as ____. or God bearer. in the mid-fifth century.

A)Pantokrator
B)the Virgin of Compassion
C)Theotokos
D)transfigured

Question 12

_____ was the first major patron of Christian architecture.

A)Constantine
B)Justinian
C)Galla Placidia
D)Honorius

Question 13

The imperial ban on images that ended the early Byzantine period is called _____.

A)liturgy
B)transfiguration
C)the Edict of Milan
D)iconoclasm

Question 14

The largest surviving amount of art created before Christianity was legal is found in _____.

A)the catacombs
B)the Colosseum
C)atrium houses
D)public baths

Question 15

The emperor _____ established Christianity as the state religion in 380 CE and subsequently banned paganism.

A)Licinius
B)Basil I
C)Constantine
D)Theodosius I

Question 16

Early Christian art describes images _____.

A)created during Christ's life
B)that have no illusionistic qualities
C)with identifiably Christian subjects
D)created outside of Rome

Question 17

The first golden age of Byzantine art began in the reign of _____.

A)Theodoric
B)Leo III
C)Justinian
D)Theodosius I

Question 18

Often decorated with mural paintings, the cubicula of catacombs functioned as _____.

A)hiding places
B)mortuary chapels
C)the location for secret pagan rituals
D)houses

Question 19

Old Saint Peter's was believed to mark the spot where _____.

A)Christ gave Peter the keys to the kingdom
B)Peter denied Christ
C)Saint Peter was buried
D)Christ rose from the dead

Question 20

Old Saint Peter's adopted the plan and elevation of _____.

A)forums
B)pagan temples
C)baths
D)Roman basilicas

Question 21

Byzantine art emerged with its own unique style. What are the dominant stylistic characteristics of this style? What sources influenced its development.

Question 22

The Middle Byzantine emperor _____ regarded himself as the restorer of the Roman Empire.

A)Michael VIII Palaeologus
B)Basil I
C)Justinian
D)Saint Panteleimon

Question 23

Which Roman architectural types were borrowed for Early Christian structures? Citing examples, explain which features were borrowed and identify new features that emerged. Explain what types of functions the different building types served.

Question 24

How did mosaics function in Early Christian architecture?

Question 25

How did Byzantine architects solve the problem of placing a circular dome on a square base?

Question 26

Looming high in the dome, the image of the _____ in the Church of the Dormition at Daphni connects the worshiper with Heaven through Christ.

A)Deësis
B)Pantokrator
C)Transfiguration
D)Crucifixion

Question 27

How is the design of Saint Mark's in Venice connected to its political ties and history?

Question 28

Describe Constantine's contributions as the first great patron of Christian architecture.

Question 29

Which feature identifies Saint Mark's in Venice as a Byzantine building?

A)Dome on a centralized building
B)Elaborate narthex
C)Insertion of a triple apse
D)None of the above

Question 30

An important trade center in western Europe, the city of _____ had strong ties with Constantinople.

A)Mount Sinai
B)Moscow
C)Venice
D)Nerezi

Question 31

How was Hagia Sophia received by contemporaries?

Question 32

Religious art resumed in Byzantium under the _____ dynasty.

A)Macedonian
B)Justinianic
C)Comnenian
D)Paleologan

Question 33

What is the overall theme of the mosaics of San Vitale? Please identify specific motifs or subjects that support the overall theme. Please also consider the significance of Justinian's and Theodora's presence in this mosaic program.

Question 34

Describe how Christian imagery changed once Christianity became legal.

Question 35

Why was the Roman basilica chosen as the appropriate building type for the first Christian church?

Question 36

Why was Jonah regarded as an important figure in Early Christian art?

Question 37

How was Jesus depicted in the earliest examples of Christian art?

Question 38

Explain how the design of Hagia Sophia fused two architectural traditions.

Question 39

Please identify the most popular Jewish biblical stories found in Christian art. Citing specific examples, explain how Jewish biblical stories functioned on specific artworks.

Question 40

What role did scenes from Jewish Scripture or the Old Testament serve in Early Christian art?

Question 41

Compare and contrast Old Saint Peter's, Rome, and the Hagia Sophia, Constantinople. How is each building unique and innovative? How is each building significant and relevant to its period and place? What outside influences, if any, shaped each building? Be sure to include innovative construction elements in your essay.

Question 42

Attribute the images on the screen to a culture and give an approximate date. Give the reasons for your attributions, using complete sentences and referring to specific works discussed in class.
Suggested images, not in the text:

Question 43

One stylistic current of Middle Byzantine art was inspired by classical art. Which works exhibit classical influence? Identify specific motifs, subjects, or features that demonstrate the survival of the classical spirit.

Question 44

The destruction of icons or iconoclasm ended the early Byzantine period. What is an icon, and on what grounds was its use prohibited? What specific events may have contributed to Emperor Leo III's decision to ban images?

Question 45

What are the dominant features of Byzantine architecture? How does it differ from Roman architecture? What new techniques did Byzantine architects introduce? What were the sources of Byzantine architecture, and what overall visual effect was achieved?

Question 46

Hagia Sophia was the grandest Byzantine structure ever built. Describe the features that make it one of the most significant buildings in world architecture. Please consider its plan, structural innovations, decoration, and visual effect.