Fundamentals of Art History and Terminology Quiz

Entasis refers to the swelling of the shaft of a column, a characteristic commonly seen in Ancient Near Eastern Art.

Hammurabi was an important leader of Babylon who is known for his contributions to the Babylonian empire and his establishment of a significant collection of laws. He called himself 'The Favorite Shepherd' and was loyal to the Sun God Shamash.

Lamassu refers to a protective deity depicted in Ancient Near Eastern Art, particularly Sumerian art, known for its characteristic body as a relief and a free head.

Cuneiform refers to the wedge-shaped characters used by ancient Mesopotamians as a writing system, not an ancient musical instrument, geometric shape, or programming language.

In the context of Ancient Near Eastern Art, the term 'cella' specifically refers to the inner chamber of a temple where the main deity's statue was housed.

A votive is specifically related to Ancient Near Eastern art as a religious offering or gift.

Hierarchical Scaling is an artistic technique used in Ancient Near Eastern Art where the importance of figures is indicated by size, with the most important figure depicted as the largest.

Sargon, an Akkadian emperor, is recognized for his successful conquest of the Sumerian city-states, establishing the world's first multi-ethnic empire in Ancient Near Eastern Art.

Akkad was one of the ancient kingdoms of Mesopotamia that was associated with the Akkadian culture. It was a powerful and influential state in the ancient Near East.

Relief sculpture is the projection of a figure or design from a background, commonly seen in Ancient Near Eastern Art. It can be described as high relief or low relief depending on the height of the projection.

Hammurabi was the sixth king of the First Babylonian Dynasty, reigning from 1792 BC to 1750 BC. He is best known for the Code of Hammurabi, one of the earliest known legal codes in history.

Assur / Assyrian art is specifically tied to the Ancient Near Eastern region, known for its intricate and detailed carvings and reliefs depicting scenes from mythology, warfare, and daily life.

Glazed brick in Ancient Near Eastern Art required advanced techniques and craftsmanship compared to more common types of bricks like Adobe, Terracotta, and Fire bricks.

Hieroglyphics refer to the writing system used in ancient Egypt, consisting of pictorial symbols and characters.

The term 'Pharaoh' refers to the rulers of ancient Egypt and is commonly associated with Ancient Egyptian Art as they were known for their elaborate burial practices and monuments.

Horus is a significant Ancient Egyptian deity commonly depicted as a falcon-headed god associated with the sky, war, and protection. He was one of the most important gods in Egyptian mythology.

The Paleolithic era, also known as the early Stone Age, refers to a prehistoric time period characterized by primitive stone tools and artwork. This era predated well-known ancient civilizations such as the Ancient Greeks, medieval knights, and the Renaissance period.

Sculpture in the round is a type of sculpture that is meant to be viewed from all angles, unlike relief sculpture which is attached to a background, kinetic sculpture which involves movement, and installation art which is created for a specific location.

Abstraction in art refers to the use of simplified or exaggerated forms, such as those found in Prehistoric Art, as opposed to realistic representation. Cubism, Renaissance Art, and Impressionism are all artistic styles that focus on different aspects of representation and interpretation.

Post and Lintel Construction is a basic system of construction in which two or more uprights support a horizontal member, the lintel.

Relief sculpture is a form of art where the sculpted elements remain attached to a solid background, typically a wall. Prehistoric art is often associated with relief sculpture as seen in ancient cave paintings and carvings.

Naturalism is an artistic movement that aims to depict the natural world with accuracy and realism, often focusing on details and refined techniques. Impressionism, Abstract Expressionism, and Surrealism are all distinct artistic movements with different approaches and philosophies towards art.

Megaliths are large stones that were used in prehistoric times to create monuments or structures. They are often associated with ancient art and architecture.

Mesopotamia is the region located between the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers, often referred to as the 'cradle of civilization' due to its historical significance in early human development.

The Sumerians were an ancient people known for their contributions to Ancient Near Eastern Art and culture. They inhabited the region of lower Babylonia, called Sumer in Akkadian.

A ziggurat is a pyramidal mound or tower built of mud-brick forming the base for a temple in ancient Assyria and Babylonia.

An apotropaic device is an object deployed as a means of warding off evil, often featuring figural or composite images inserted into architectural settings, commonly found in Ancient Near Eastern Art.

In art, a register refers to a specific element in the composition rather than a list or form to record personal information.

Naram-Sin was an ancient Mesopotamian king known for claiming divinity for himself, not an Egyptian Pharaoh, Greek Philosopher, or Roman Emperor.

A steele is an upright stone slab or pillar, sometimes with a carved design or inscription, originating from the Greek word for 'standing block'. It is commonly associated with Ancient Near Eastern Art.