GLOSSARY
GLOSSARY OF THE ANCIENT WORLD
AEGIS A divine emblem associated with the Greek gods Zeus and Athena, consisting of a scaly animal skin with a fringe of snake heads and a GORGON Medusa in the center (to ward off evil). In ancient art, Athena is often depicted wearing an aegis over her clothing like a breastplate.
AMPHORA (pl. amphorae) A medium-size terracotta pot with two vertical handles, narrower neck, and bulging body. Very common in antiquity, amphorae were used for storing and transporting oil, wine, grains, and other commodities. Their shape changed somewhat over time, the bodies becoming more or less rounded, the necks more or less set off from the bodies, and so on. Various modifiers of the name (for example, neck-amphora, belly- amphora) indicate a specific shape of vase.
ARCHAIC PERIOD The period from about 700 to 480 B.C. in the Greek world.
ARYBALLOS (pl. aryballoi) A small terracotta vessel with a bulging body and narrow neck. It was used to hold perfumed oil.
ATTRIBUTE An object closely associated with or characteristic of a person, divinity, or object.
ATTIKA The area of Greece around the city of Athens.
BLACK-FIGURE TECHNIQUE A style of decoration used on ancient Greek ceramics beginning in the late 7th century B.C. The figures or decoration are painted in black on the unfired clay so that they
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CHIMAIRA A mythical fire-breathing monster with the head of a lion, the body of a goat, and the tail of a snake. The Chimaira was slain by the hero Bellerophon.
CHITON The basic Greek garment. Resembling a tunic, the chiton is made of thin fabric, either linen or silk. Women’s chitons were ankle length, men’s were knee length.
CISTA (pl. cistae) A small to medium-size, usually cylindrical basket or chest made of metal or wood. Cistae were used for storing small objects such as cosmetics and jewelry.
CLASSICAL PERIOD In Greece and the areas under Greek influence, the period ranging from approximately 480 B.C. (the sack of Athens by the Persians) to 323 B.C. (the death of Alexander the Great).
CORINTHIAN ARCHAIC pottery from Corinth dating from about 620 B.C. onward. The phase following PROTOCORINTHIAN generally favors larger figures painted more quickly. Exotic hybrid creatures were added to the more natural collections of the Protocorinthian style.
CULT STATUE A statue of a deity housed in the central room of a temple.
CYCLADIC CULTURE A Greek Bronze Age culture that flourished in the Cyclades (a group of islands in the Aegean Sea) from about 3200 B.C. to 1000 B.C. Small stone figures from this period, known as Cycladic idols, are characterized by simplified, nearly abstract, renderings of the human form.
DIADEM A narrow ribbon or fillet worn around the head, with the ends tied at the back and left hanging down the neck. In antiquity, diadems were insignia worn only by divinities and royalty.
DINOS (pl. dinoi) Medium- to large-size, almost globular terracotta vessel with no handles or foot. Dinoi were used for mixing wine and water.
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EROTE (pl. erotes) The Greek depiction of Eros, the god of love, as a small, nude, winged baby.
FIRST STYLE The oldest style of Roman wall painting, dating from 200–80 B.C. First Style is characterized by the simulation of marble in paint and stucco.
FOURTH STYLE The last style of Roman wall painting, seen from A.D. 62 onward. This “baroque” style combines the spatial vistas of Second Style with the fantastic architecture of the Third. The style’s large, narrative panels often depict subjects from Greek mythology.
GIANT Any of the large, monstrous creatures born to Ge (Earth) and Uranus (Sky) to avenge Zeus’s destruction of their half-brothers, the Titans. The Giants fought and lost a fierce battle with the Olympian gods called the Gigantomachy.
GORGON Any of three mythical Greek female monsters (Medusa, Sthenno, and Euryale) whose horrific appearance turned those who looked at them into stone. For this reason, the disembodied head of Medusa, who was beheaded by the hero Perseus, was often used as an evil-averting device.
GRIFFIN In Greek mythology, a hybrid creature combining characteristics of a lion, bird, and snake.
HARPIES In Greek mythology, winged beings, part women and part birds, who personified storms and were blamed for snatching away food or carrying people to their deaths.
HELLENISTIC Meaning “Greeklike.” In Greece and the areas under Greek influence, the Hellenistic period ranges from 323 B.C. (the death of Alexander the Great) to 31 B.C. (the Battle of Actium).
HERM A stone marker in the form of a square pillar surmounted by a bust or a head at the top and with male genitals further down. Herms were often placed at crossroads or at the entry to a house.
HIMATION A large rectangular cloth of heavy material worn as an outer garment by Greek men and women. The himation was typically draped over one shoulder and wrapped around the body.
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HOPLITE A heavily armed Greek infantry soldier. A hoplite’s equipment included helmet, corselet, and greaves; he carried shield, spear, and sword.
HYDRIA (pl. hydriae) A medium-size jug with one vertical and two horizontal handles. The name derives from the Greek word for water, which hydriae were used in antiquity to store and transport.
KANTHAROS (pl. kantharoi) A drinking cup with two vertical handles and a tall foot. Kantharoi were made of terracotta or metal, including silver and gold. The kantharos is associated with Dionysos, god of wine.
KORE (pl. korai) Meaning “young woman” or “maiden” in Greek, the term kore refers also to a statue created during the ARCHAIC Period of a draped standing female figure.
KOUROS (pl. kouroi) Meaning “young man” in Greek, the term kouros refers also to a statue created during the ARCHAIC PERIOD of a nude male youth. Kouroi were represented standing frontally, stepping forward on one foot.
KRATER A medium- to large-size bowl with two handles and a large, open mouth. Kraters were used for mixing wine and water.
KYLIX (pl. kylikes) A two-handled drinking cup with an open, shallow bowl usually set on a footed stem. Variations in form are classified as Type A, Type B, or Type C.
LEKYTHOS (pl. lekythoi) A small to medium-size terracotta vessel with a cylindrical body, narrow neck, and one vertical handle. Lekythoi were used for pouring offerings of oil on graves. Some grave markers were carved in the shape of lekythoi.
LOUTROPHOROS (pl. loutrophoroi) A tall, slender terracotta vessel with a high, narrow neck. Loutrophoroi were used for carrying water for ritual ablutions, particularly at weddings.
MAENAD A female follower of Dionysos, god of wine. In ancient art, maenads are often shown wearing an animal skin and carrying a ritual staff called a thrysos.
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MANNERISM A style of Greek art characterized by affected or exaggerated poses.
MEDUSA See GORGON.
MODIUS Basket for measuring grain. Depicted as a head ornament on statues or vase- paintings, the modius is a divine attribute.
OINOCHOE (pl. oinochoai) A medium-size, one-handled ewer used for holding and pouring wine. Oinochoai were made of terracotta or metal.
OLPE (pl. olpai) A small to medium-sized ewer with one vertical handle. More elongated than OINOCHOAI, olpae were used to hold liquids.
ORIENTALIZING PERIOD In Etruscan art, the period from about 720 to 575 B.C., when oriental motifs were introduced.
PANATHENAIA Ancient Greek festival held every four years in Athens to honor that city’s patron goddess, Athena. Panathenaic prize AMPHORAE were awarded to the victors of the athletic games held during the festival.
PATERA A shallow, round dish used for libations in rituals.
PELIKE (pl. pelikai) Medium-size, two handled terracotta pot resembling an amphora, but wider toward the base.
PEPLOS Thick woolen garment worn by Greek women. The peplos was belted at the waist and pinned at the shoulders.
PROTOCORINTHIAN A style of pottery decoration developed about 720–620 B.C. in Corinth, the greatest center of pottery distribution of its time. The style is characterized by miniaturization of motifs and the use of animal friezes.
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PYXIS (pl. pyxides) A small, cylindrical, lidded container for small objects such as jewelry. Pyxides were made of terracotta, metal, or presumably, wood.
RED-FIGURE TECHNIQUE A style of decoration used on ancient Greek ceramics, from the late 500s B.C. through the end of the third century B.C. The background is painted black and the figures and decoration remain the reddish color of the clay. The reserved (unpainted) areas of the figures allow the painter to add much more detail than was the case in BLACK-FIGURE TECHNIQUE.
REPOUSSÉ A relief pattern or ornament on metal raised by hammering from the reverse side.
RHYTON (pl. rhyta) A spouted horn, often in the shape of an animal or human head. Rhyta could be made of horn, terracotta, or metal.
ROMAN WALL PAINTING See FIRST STYLE; SECOND STYLE; THIRD STYLE; FOURTH STYLE.
SATYR In Greek mythology, a male being with pointed ears and a horse’s tail that was part of the entourage of Dionysos, god of wine. Often shown nude with an erect phallus, satyrs are characterized by their love of sex and wine. See also SILENOS.
SECOND STYLE The first representational style of Roman wall paintings, dating about 80–20 B.C. Second Style creates the illusion of perspective, often seen through a screen of columns set on a dado.
SEVERE STYLE A transitional style of early Classical Greek sculpture prevalent from about 480 B.C. to about 450 B.C.
SILENOS (pl. sileni) A Greek god portrayed in art as a wild male with animal features. Silenos is associated with wildlife and with Dinoysos, god of wine, and is also regarded as the father of the SATYRS. Sileni are usually represented as old men, while satyrs are generally youthful.
SIRENS Mythical bird-women on the islands off western Italy who sang sailors to their deaths. Most famously, the Sirens were unsuccessful in seducing Odysseus and his men with song.
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STELE (pl. stelai) A upright stone slab, usually with painted or carved decoration and /or inscription. Stelai were used to record public proclamations and as grave markers.
SYMPOSION In ancient Greece, a social gathering where aristocratic men discussed politics, business, and philosophy. They also ate, drank, played games, and were entertained with music and dance, often by professional courtesans.
THIRD STYLE A style of Roman wall painting from the period 20 B.C. to A.D. 50. In Third Style paintings, the images are enclosed by dark panels and the architecture depicted is delicate and often fantastic.
THYMIATERION (pl. thymiateria) An incense burner usually made of bronze, silver, or terracotta. The perfumed smoke of the incense would escape through decorative openings. Thymiateria were functional objects but may also have been placed in tombs as offerings.
TONDO The central circle inside the bowl of a KYLIX, where an image is usually painted.
VOTIVE Related to religious vows and devotion; any religious offering or dedication.
Glossary from The J. Paul Getty Museum Handbook of the Antiquities Collection (Getty Publications, 2002), with modifications by the department of antiquities, 2005.
GODS and GODDESSES
ZEUS (Greek), JUPITER (Roman) King and father of all the gods Attributes: scepter, thunderbolt, eagle
HERA (Greek), JUNO (Roman) Goddess of marriage, queen of the gods Attributes: crown, scepter, cow, peacock
DEMETER (Greek), CERES (Roman) Goddess of agriculture and fertility Attributes: grain, torch, crown
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ATHENA (Greek), MINERVA (Roman) Goddess of wisdom, warfare, and arts and crafts Attributes: aegis, helmet, owl, olive tree
DIONYSOS (Greek), BACCHUS (Roman) God of wine, vegetation, and theater Attributes: grapevine, wine cup, thyrsos, leopard
HEPHAISTOS (Greek), VULCAN (Roman) God of fire, metalworking, and artisans Attributes: pointed cap, hammer, anvil, forge
APHRODITE (Greek), VENUS (Roman) Goddess of erotic love and beauty Attributes: dove, dolphin, Eros/Cupid
ARES (Greek) MARS (Roman) God of war Attributes: armor, chariot
APOLLO (Greek), PHOEBUS APOLLO (Roman) God of prophecy, music, poetry, and youth Attributes: lyre, laurel wreath, snake, bow and arrows
ARTEMIS (Greek), DIANA (Roman) Virgin goddess of the hunt, wild animals, and child birth Attributes: bow and arrows, short dress, boots, deer
POSEIDON (Greek), NEPTUNE (Roman) God of the sea, horses, and earthquakes Attributes: trident, fish
HERMES (Greek), MERCURY (Roman) God of travel and commerce, messenger of the gods Attributes: caduceus, winged sandals, hat
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