Egyptian And Ancient Architecture Terms Quiz

Answer: Dead bodies

Mastabas were used as burial structures. They started off as below-ground pits, then were built up into mounds to prevent robbery of the graves. These eventually evolved into the massive pyramids easily recognizable and automatically associated with Egyptian architecture.

Answer: Inverted pyramids

There's a step pyramid at Saqqara (aka Sakkara) built by Imhotep. The pyramids at Giza are true pyramids, with their sides sloping up from the ground at approximately a 50-degree angle. There is a bent pyramid at Dasur (aka Dashur). As far as I know, there is no such thing as an inverted pyramid (would it have to balance on its tip?).

Answer: Egyptian obelisks have low bases; Roman obelisks stand on very high platforms.

Today, most European obelisks are modeled after the ancient Roman style, standing on big and often eccentric platforms. I don't think any obelisks thicken as they go up. Very few obelisks have carvings at their tips. Some do carry crosses, but I haven't heard of any with flowers or people. Very few obelisks, either Egyptian or Roman, remain today in their original places.

The Egyptian obelisks, especially, were transplanted as the lands were plundered and European cultures took the monuments back to their own countries with them.

Answer: A tomb without a body.

A cenotaph is an empty tomb, erected in honor of a dead ruler.

Answer: It counteracts the optical illusion of concavity that would result without entasis.

Architects employ many techniques to counteract optical illusions, and entasis is one of them.

Answer: A horizontal circular opening.

There is a famous oculus at the height of the Pantheon's dome. Oculi are good sources for natural light (perhaps a precursor to today's skylights).

Answer: Look up! The fastigium is above you.

The fastigium is the pediment, a triangular gable over a portico formed by the juncture of roof and cornice, so unless you're really tall or have Inspector Gadget legs, it should be above you.

Answer: It is a draped female figure serving as a column.

That's right! Caryatids functioned as columns, and were carved to resemble women in draped garb. However, these women stood and the weight rested on their heads, not their hands.

Answer: Doric columns do not have volutes on their capitals; Ionic columns do.

The volutes are the spirals at either end of the so-called cushions found in the capitals of Ionic columns. Most of the ancient buildings (or ruins) in Athens display the earlier and simpler Doric columns.

Answer: Cupola

Cupolas, aside from lending extra height to a building, were often used to admit light and air. A cella is a small circular chamber not meant to be seen from inside. A dromos is a long paved walk, usually leading up to a monument of some sort. A nymphaeum is a fountain house.