Question 1

The palace at Knossos was excavated by:

Accepted Answer

Sir Arthur Evans is credited with the excavation of the Palace at Knossos, which is a key archaeological site associated with the Minoan civilization on the island of Crete.

Question 2

Minoan columns are unusual because the shafts:

Accepted Answer

Minoan columns are distinctive for their unique shape, which flares from bottom to top, unlike the more commonly seen columns that either taper towards the top or have a consistent diameter throughout.

Question 3

The walls at Mycenae display:

Accepted Answer

The walls at Mycenae are known for their cyclopean masonry, which consists of large, irregularly shaped stones fitted together without mortar. This construction technique is characteristic of Mycenaean architecture.

Question 4

The Mycenaean megaron includes:

Accepted Answer

The Mycenaean megaron typically includes a domos (main hall), a central entrance on one side, a prodomos (porch), and an anteroom, making all of the given options correct components of its structure.

Question 5

The Treasury of Atreus includes a beehive-shaped chamber made of:

Accepted Answer

The Treasury of Atreus, also known as a tholos tomb, features a beehive-shaped chamber constructed using the corbeling technique, where stones are laid horizontally in courses, each course slightly extending beyond the one below, creating a stepped-inward construction that forms a dome-like structure.

Question 6

Columns in the plane of a wall and often between antae are called:

Accepted Answer

"In antis" refers to columns that are placed between two projecting walls known as antae, commonly found in ancient Greek and Roman architecture. This term specifically describes the positioning of columns in the plane of a wall, distinguishing it from other types of column arrangements.

Question 7

All of the following are part of the entablature EXCEPT:

Accepted Answer

An arch is not part of the entablature.

Question 8

Peculiar to the Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassai are:

Accepted Answer

The Temple of Apollo Epicurius at Bassai is notable for having Ionic columns projecting from the interior walls of the cella, which is an unusual feature for Greek temples.

Question 9

The spiral motifs on the Ionic order seen on the north porch of the Erechtheion, Athens are called:

Accepted Answer

The spiral motifs on the Ionic order, such as those seen on the north porch of the Erechtheion in Athens, are called volutes. These are characteristic features of the Ionic capital, distinguishing it from other classical orders.

Question 10

The slight outward curve of a column, which then tapers toward the top of the shaft, as seen in the Doric columns in the Temple of Hera is called:

Accepted Answer

Entasis is the term used to describe the slight outward curve of a column, which then tapers toward the top of the shaft. This architectural feature is particularly noted in the Doric columns of ancient Greek architecture, such as those found in the Temple of Hera.

Question 11

The edge of a Greek column flute is called:

Accepted Answer

The edge of a Greek column flute is called an arris. This term refers to the sharp edge formed by the intersection of two surfaces, such as the vertical edges in the fluting of a classical column.

Question 12

Access to the Athenian Acropolis is made through the:

Accepted Answer

The Propylaea serves as the monumental gateway to the Acropolis in Athens, acting as the main entrance for those accessing this ancient citadel.

Question 13

The pediment sculpture from the Parthenon depicts the:

Accepted Answer

The pediment sculptures from the Parthenon depict two main themes: the birth of Athena, which is considered a significant event in Greek mythology as Athena was the patron goddess of Athens, and the contest between Athena and Poseidon for the patronage of the city, a myth that explains why the city is named after Athena.

Question 14

In a Greek temple, the platform from which columns rise is called the:

Accepted Answer

The stylobate is the platform or floor in a Greek temple from which the columns rise. It serves as the foundation for the columns, distinguishing it from other architectural elements.

Question 15

Which of the following is true about the bouleuterion in the Athenian Agora?

Accepted Answer

The bouleuterion in the Athenian Agora was indeed built to accommodate the 500 senators of the Boule, which was the council elected to run the daily affairs of Athens. This structure was essential for the functioning of Athenian democracy.

Question 16

Which of the following is true about the tholos at the Sanctuary of Asklepios?

Accepted Answer

The tholos at the Sanctuary of Asklepios is known for its ornate ceiling coffers with floral decorations.

Question 17

The major contribution to architectural history made by Greek architects and builders during the Archaic period was the temple, which was based on the design of the Mycenaean megaron so that its plan consists of a rear room, or ________.

Accepted Answer

The opisthodomos is the rear room in a Greek temple, often used for storage or as a treasury, and is part of the temple's plan derived from the Mycenaean megaron.

Question 18

The influence of Greek culture during the Hellenistic period continued to spread east owing to:

Accepted Answer

The conquests of Alexander the Great significantly expanded Greek culture and influence eastward into Asia, including regions such as Egypt, Persia, and parts of India, marking a key period of cultural diffusion during the Hellenistic era.

Question 19

A tholos is:

Accepted Answer

A tholos is a type of structure known for its beehive shape, particularly used for tombs in the Mycenaean civilization.

Question 20

At the Sanctuary of Asklepios, Kos, ________.

Accepted Answer

The Sanctuary of Asklepios at Kos, an important example of ancient Greek architecture, featured buildings arranged orthogonally, a temple within an architectural precinct, a central axis in its design, and utilized rising terraces, making all of the provided options correct.

Quiz 2: The Greek World