History of Architecture (Roman, Early Christian, Byzantine, Sarasenic, Romanesque, English Medieval,

Gothic, Renaissance)

Roman Architecture (300B.C. – 365A.D.)

1. Parts of an Arch

2. Barrel Vault – A vault having a semicircular cross section. Also called cradle vault, tunnel vault,
wagon vault.
3. Groin – one of the curved lines or edges along which two intersecting vaults meet.
4. Groin Vault – A compound vault formed by perpendicular intersection of two vaults, forming
arched diagonal arrises called groins. Also called cross vault.
5. Opus Testaceum – walling faced with triangular bricks (testae) in plan
6. Opus Reticulum – square stones set diagonally, forming a net-like pattern.
7. Opus Incertum – made of small stones which is set irregularly/loose patern
8. Opus Quadratum – rectangular & square blocks of stones into mortar joints (with or without);
usually secured w/ metal cramp/ dow
9. Opus mixtum – consisted of bands of “tufa” introduced at intervals in the ordinary brick facing
or alteration of rectangular blocks with small squared stones
10. Vastness & Magnificence – Architectural Character
11. Sta Maria Rotonda – The Pantheon of Rome was converted into a Christian church called _____.
12. Colosseum of Rome – The Flavin Amphitheater commenced by Vespanian, completed by
Dormitian
13. Basilica – hall of justice or Assembly hall
14. Curia – Senate house; Greek Prytaneion
15. Detail of a Hypocaust

16.

Reflected Ceiling Plan, Floor Plan and Section of the Pantheon, Rome

17. Elements of a typical Roman House

Early Christian Architecture (200-1025)

18. Parts of an Early Christian Basilica

19. Dais – raised platform reserved for speakers and dignitaries

20. Sepulcher – a tomb or receptacles for relics especially in Christian altar
21. Simplicity and Coarseness – Architectural Character
22. Clerestory – the upper stage in the church with windows above the adjacent roof
23. Triforium – roof over the aisles below clerestory
24. Old St Peters Church – considered the most important basilican church built by Constantine
located on the slope of Vatican Hill
25. Church of Nativity - built over traditional birthplace of Christ by Constantinople
26. Church of the Holy Sepulcher – built to honor burial place of Christ
27. Tomb of Galla Placida, Ravenna – earliest building in cruciform plan
28. Catacombs – ancient human-made subterranean passageways for burial or protection
29. Early Christian Basilica, San Clemente Rome Plan
Byzantine Architecture (300-1450)

30. Byzantine Capitals

31. Hagia Sophia, Constantinople Istanbul – sacred wisdom in Greek, most important Mosque in
Constantinople with 107 Multi-colored columns; built in 5 years by Ar. Anthemius of Tralles &
Isidorus of Milletus
32. Simplicity and Richness – Architectural Character
33. Pendentives – A spherical triangle which acts as a transition between circular dome and a
square base on which the dome is set.
34. Postniv Yakovlev and Ivan Barma – Designed the St. Basil’s Cathedral, Moscow Russia that is
surrounded by eight side churches
35. Squinch – transitional arches or corbelling features in an architectural design for octagonal
buildings
36. 1204 – S. Sophia was converted from a Roman Catholic Cathedral into a Mosque by Ottoman
Turks
37. S. Marks Basilica, Venice – Greek cross plan w/ ogee arch by. Ar. Cancelli.
38. Basilica di San Vitale, Ravenna – a
byzantine centralized church; prime
example of byzantine architecture in west

Sarasenic Architecture (7th century)

39. Humayun’s Tomb – built by Mirak Mirza Ghiyath

40. Characteristic of Friday Mosque:
a. Minaret – tower
 b. Dikka – reading desk
c. Mimbar – pulpit or ambo
d. Fawara - fountain
e. Maqsura - screen
f. Mihrab – niche (prayer)
g. Liwanit - collonade
h. Salm – open space
41. Taj Mahal, Agra – built by Unstad Isad
42. Diwan-I-Khas – has 36 pendulous brackets
43. Mimber – a raised platform for ceremonial announcement
44. Chatri – Kiosk
45. Diwan – palaces
46. Dar – men’s apartment
47. Harem – women’s apartment
48. Selamuk – men’s guest quarter
49. Sober & Grotesque – Architectural Character
50. Friday Mosque, Esfahan - a city full of
architectural treasures—is the sprawling Friday
Mosque. A mosque has stood on the site since
the 8th century, but the oldest elements of the
current structure are two domes built during
the Seljuk dynasty, which ruled parts of Iran in
the 11th century.

51. The Dome of the Rock, Jerusalem – oldest

extant Islamic monument and one of the
best known. The structure consists of a
gilded wooden dome sitting atop an
octagonal base.
 52. Great Mosque of Samarra, Iraq - built by Abbasid caliph Al Mutaakkil, it was the largest mosque
in the world , with nearly 42 acres. The mosque was built out of baked brick, with an interior
decorated with blue glass.

Romanesque Architecture (800 – 1180)

53. Santiago de Compostela, Spain – UNESCO

World Heritage Site Romanesque and
Baroque; Religious pilgrimage site housing
the relics of St James and Portico de la
Gloria

54. Worms Cathedral, Central Europe – best

example of a German Romanesque Church
with apses at both east and west ends.

55. Durham Cathedral, England – the largest

and finest example of Norman Architecture
in England (UNESCO)

56. Canterbury Cathedral, England –

Romanesque and Perpendicular Gothic
elements combined (UNESCO)
57. Ely Cathedral – an example of Romanesque & Norman
architecture known locally as the ship of fens; octagonal
lantern supported on eight massive masonry piers

58. Aix-La-Chapelle Cathedral – royal tomb-house;

place of coronation of the Holy Roman
Emperors

59. Pisa Cathedral – one of the finest Romanesque

Cathedral design by Architect Dioti Salvi.
Together with a Circular in plan Baptistery and
Campanile with 8 storeys of encircling arcades
also known as the Leaning Tower.

60. Beauvais Cathedral – considered w/ the loftiest

vault in Europe at 157 ft. and 6 inches
English Medieval Architecture

61. Battlement – a parapet with alternating indentations

62. Porticulus – gate of Iron or Iron enforced wooden bars made to slide up and down, use for
defense in castle gateways
63. Tudor Period – use in domestic buildings, rather than ecclesiastical bldgs.
64. Perpendicular Period – rectilinear, late pointed or Lancastrian period; use of fan vaults and fan
& pendant vaults
65. Norman or Transition Period – characterized by bold and massive architecture
66. Anglo-saxon Period – use of timber for domestic buildings

Gothic Architecture

67. Amiens Cathedral, France – built by Ar. Robert Luzarches;

contains the gallery of 22 kings, which sketches across the
façade beneath the rose window

68. Chartres Cathdral – by Ar Jean Texier, contains

176 stained glass window and used labyrinth
loor tiles
69. Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris – designed by
Bishop Maurice De Sully, one of the oldest French
Gothic Church

70. Sienna Cathedral, Italy – known for the use of

Striped marbles in the interior

71. Milan Cathedral – Second largest Gothic Cathedral;

built entirely with while marble. Acroterion of Saints
and Billet moulding on flying buttress
72. Anatomy of Rib Vault

73. Lierne – a term for tertiary rib spanning between 2 other ribs to the central boss
74. Tierceron – the intermediate ribs between the main ribs of a Gothic Vault
75. Pinnacle - a small turret-lie termination of top of buttresses, parapets or elsewhere often
ornamented with bunches of foliage called crockets
76. Crocket – a projecting block or spur of stone carved with foliage
77. Ogive – the intersecting transverse ribs of arches in rib vault; sometimes called lancet arch
78. Winchester Cathedral – longest medieval cathedral in
Europe

79. Wells Cathedral – described as “unquestionable one of the

most beautiful” and the most poetic of English Cathedrals
80. Cathedral Components

81. 3 Phases of French Gothic: A lancette, Rayonant and Flamboyant