Deck 9: Byzantium

Question 1

The marriage of Anna to Prince Vladimir marked the introduction of Orthodox Christianity to _____.

A)Lombardy
B)Russia
C)Syria
D)Egypt

Answer 1

B

Question 2

____ remained the Byzantine foothold in Italy for two centuries.

A)Naples
B)Florence
C)Venice
D)Ravenna

Answer 2

D

Question 3

Justinian's position on the north wall of the apse of San Vitale is somewhat ambiguous. He appears to be slightly behind the bishop, yet the paten he carries overlaps the bishop's arm. This indicates the ____.

A)unimportance of Bishop Maximianus
B)importance of the state
C)force of Justinian's character
D)balance between church and state

Answer 3

D

Question 4

The architects of Hagia Sophia fused the central plan and the basilica by ____.

A)placing several domes on the nave
B)placing a hemispherical dome on a square base
C)dividing the nave and side aisles with walls
D)intersecting two basilicas

Question 5

In place of images, the iconoclasts used only symbolic forms, such as the ____, which were already familiar in early Christian art.

A)bearded Christ on the cross
B)Holy family
C)cross
D)Transfiguration

Question 6

The significance of Maximianus is emphasized in the mosaic Justinian, Bishop Maximianus, and attendants, in San Vitale, Ravenna, through the presence of ____.

A)the magnificence of his crown
B)the hand of God
C)a halo
D)an identifying inscription

Question 7

Who was the founder of the "New Rome" of the East?

A)Diocletian
B)Constantine
C)Julian
D)Theodosius I

Question 8

Which of the following reasons likely persuaded Emperor Leo III to initiate iconoclasm?

A)The loss of almost two-thirds of Byzantine territory
B)To prepare for a visit from the Latin pope
C)The creation of images was too expensive
D)To commemorate his conversion to Islam

Question 9

Among the new Byzantine features that appeared in the mosaics at San Vitale is ____.

A)an elaborate setting
B)the absence of solid bodies
C)naturalistic action
D)a variety of gestures

Question 10

The model for the Archangel Michael was a ____.

A)monk
B)Roman emperor
C)Gospel writer
D)winged Victory

Question 11

The monastic movement began in ____ in the third century.

A)Egypt
B)Syria
C)Rome
D)Constantinople

Question 12

Basil I claimed that he commissioned the mosaic of the Virgin and Child enthroned in Hagia Sophia to replace the one that ____.

A)the "impostors" destroyed
B)was created in the Roman period
C)included Justinian
D)was iconic in nature

Question 13

Where would a squinch most likely be found?

A)As part of a column
B)Supporting a dome
C)Guarding the entry
D)At the entrance of a chapel

Question 14

The presence of the ____ embroidered on Theodora's garment in Theodora and attendants, the mosaic on at San Vitale, Ravenna, underscored her elevated rank.

A)chi rho iota
B)three mage
C)Virgin and Child
D)imperial eagle

Question 15

The dome on the Katholikon, Hosios Loukas, is formed by ____.

A)pendentives
B)bemas
C)supporting octagons
D)squinches

Question 16

The dome of the Hagia Sophia is supported by ____.

A)squinches
B)pendentives
C)vaults
D)beams

Question 17

The images and symbols found in the sanctuary from San Vitale express the single theme of ____.

A)the Nativity
B)Christ's crucifixion
C)Christ's redemption of humanity
D)the martyrdom of Saint Vitalis (San Vitale)

Question 18

Which prominent feature of the Ascension from the Rabbula Gospels was not actually described in the Gospel passage?

A)The presence of Mary Magdalene
B)The presence of the Virgin
C)The absence of Saint John the Evangelist
D)The portrait of the monk Rabbula

Question 19

The medium used for the icon of the Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George is which of the following?

A)Encaustic
B)Oil on panel
C)Mosaic
D)Fresco

Question 20

The image of Christ as Pantokrator refers to his role as ____.

A)redeemer
B)savior
C)lamb of God
D)last judge of humankind

Question 21

Reflecting the tradition of ancient art, ____ accompany the Old Testament harpist in the image of David Composing the Psalms .

A)Roman emperors
B)images of pagan deities
C)other sacred figures
D)allegorical figures

Question 22

The presentation of the Norman king, William II, twice in the Monreale mosaic program, continued the theme of ____.

A)royal presence and patronage
B)honoring his successors
C)humility
D)copying icons

Question 23

Explain the importance of Basil I.

Question 24

How did the Byzantine emperors refer to themselves, and why is this significant?

Question 25

Which of the following events changed the fortunes of Byzantium in the final or Late Byzantine period?

A)The defeat of the Sasanians in 1261
B)The Seljuk Turks captured most of Anatolia
C)William II of Sicily sought an alliance with Constantinople
D)A successful treaty was negotiated between Constantinople and Rome

Question 26

The interior mosaic program for Saint Mark's has explanatory labels written in both Greek and Latin. What accounts for this?

A)It accommodates the needs of Venice's diverse population.
B)It reflects the political ambitions of the bishop of Venice.
C)It reflects Venice's position as a link between East and West.
D)It accommodates the needs of the patriarch of Constantinople.

Question 27

The ____ of the Lamentation found in Saint Pantaleimon, Nerezi, contribute to the emotionally charged realization of the theme.

A)abstracted figures and background
B)landscape and details
C)natural setting and modeled figures
D)architectural backdrop and garments

Question 28

What is Saint Catherine's, Mount Sinai, and why is it significant?

Question 29

Explain the Iconoclasm and its subsequent impact on Byzantine art.

Question 30

What is the Corpus juris civilis ?

Question 31

Describe the mosaic of Theodora and attendants in San Vitale, and explain its symbolism.

Question 32

Which event in Byzantine history accounts for the loss of art?

A)The Ottoman Turks invasion of Constantinople
B)The Second Crusade
C)The Iconoclasm
D)The Seljuk Turks capture of Anatolia

Question 33

How is Mary represented in the Vladimir Virgin ?

Question 34

Describe Justinian's contributions as a ruler.

Question 35

The Middle Byzantine artist assimilated classicism's simplicity, dignity, and grace and synthesized it with Byzantine piety and pathos. Which of the following follows this formula?

A)Virgin and Child enthroned , Hagia Sophia
B)Virgin and Child between Saints Theodore and George , Monastery Saint Catherine
C)Anicia Juliana, Vienna Dioskorides
D)Crucifixion , Church of the Dormition, Daphni

Question 36

Instead of its usual position in the dome of a church, in the church of Monreale, the Pantokrator is located in the ____.

A)throne room
B)gallery vaults
C)narthex
D)semi-dome of the apse

Question 37

What political and religious messages are communicated by the Barberini Ivory ?

Question 38

How was William II of Sicily portrayed in mosaics, and why was his representation significant?

Question 39

Why is Eulalios significant?

Question 40

Whose relics were obtained from Egypt for Venice?

A)Saint Matthew
B)Saint Mark
C)Saint Luke
D)Saint John

Question 41

Compare the Lamentation from Nerezi and the Anastasis from the Church of Christ in Chora. How are they different? Why? Consider the political climate for each work and why it is relevant.

Question 42

Compare and contrast the impact Byzantium had on the arts of Venice and Sicily. Consider the political and social climates of each area and the implications of Byzantine iconography. Use examples to support your essay.

Question 43

Compare the mosaic programs developed for church interiors during the Early through Middle Byzantine periods. Include in your essay the political as well as religious significance of the themes and depictions. Use specific examples to support your essay.

Question 44

Explain the evolution of the depiction of Christ in Byzantine art. How was the depiction changed and modified? Consider the political and social climate of each period and area. What influences shaped each work? How did these works, in turn, influence subsequent works? Use specific examples to support your essay.

Question 45

Compare the mosaics of Saint Catherine, Sinai, and San Vitale, Ravenna. What changes have been incorporated into San Vitale, and why?

Question 46

Discuss the consequences of the Iconoclasm and its effect on Early Byzantine art. How did the Iconoclasm affect Middle Byzantine art? Include in your discussion the reasons for the iconoclasm. Use examples to support your essay.

Question 47

Why is it significant that the Anastasis is found in the parekklesion , a side chapel, in this instance a funerary chapel, of the church of Christ in Chora?

Question 48

Compare the Rabbula Gospels with the Paris Psalter . Consider the timeframe of each work. How does each one reflect its environment? What innovations and changes did each initiate? What influences shaped each work? How did they, in turn, influence subsequent works?

Question 49

Discuss the roles played by the Classical style of Greece and Rome and the formalistic style of the East in the development of Byzantine art. Use examples to support your essay.

Question 50

Discuss the significance of the unification of church and state during the art of the Early Byzantine period.

Question 51

Explain the innovations Byzantine architects developed. Discuss specific features from at least three buildings and include all three periods (Early, Middle, and Late Byzantine) in your essay. Use examples to support your essay.