OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation (J199) — Myth and Religion
The ruins of ancient Greek temples might look like simple stone pillars today, but they were once brightly painted masterpieces designed using carefully balanced proportions.
The Romans adapted Greek styles but introduced distinct engineering changes.
The Temple of Portunus (Temple of Fortuna Virilis) (c. 120–80 BC): Located in Rome's Forum Boarium.
The Pantheon (c. 125 AD): Rebuilt by Hadrian.
To evaluate these works, we must assess how their technique supports their political or religious message.
The Bassae Frieze (c. 420–400 BC): Depicts a Centauromachy and Amazonomachy in high relief.
The Ara Pacis (13–9 BC): A masterpiece of political propaganda celebrating the Pax Romana.
Theseus Kylix (c. 440–430 BC): An Attic red-figure drinking cup.
Augustus of Prima Porta (c. 20 BC):
Do not confuse the materials of Greek and Roman temples. While the Parthenon used expensive Pentelic marble, Roman temples like Portunus often used cheaper tufa and travertine, disguised with stucco to look like marble.
For the 'Analyse' command word regarding the Theseus Kylix, you must distinguish between the tondo (interior) and the exterior labours. Examiners often ask which scene is featured in the tondo.
When evaluating the Ara Pacis, always mention specific panels like Tellus (fertility) or Aeneas (piety) to support your argument about how Augustus justified his power.
In comparison questions, remember that Greek temples are peripteral (steps all around), while Roman temples emphasize 'frontality' (approach from one side via a high podium and single staircase).
Note that the Temple of Portunus is often referred to as the Temple of Fortuna Virilis in older texts and some exam materials; be prepared to identify it by both names.
Doric
One of the classical orders, featuring sturdy columns with plain capitals and no base.
Shell conglomerate
A sedimentary rock composed of fragments of shells, used as the primary building material for the Temple of Zeus at Olympia.
Stucco
A plaster used for coating walls or creating decorative features; often used by Romans to mimic marble.
Peripteral
A temple surrounded by a single row of columns on all sides.
Crepidoma
The multi-stepped platform (usually three steps) of a Greek temple.
Chryselephantine
A statue made of gold (for clothing/accessories) and ivory (for skin).
Centauromachy
A mythological battle between Lapiths and Centaurs, symbolizing the struggle between civilization and barbarism (order vs. chaos).
Octastyle
A temple with a front facade of eight columns.
Pentelic marble
A high-quality white marble from Mount Pentelicus, used for the construction of the Parthenon.
Ionic
A classical order featuring more slender columns with volutes (scrolls) on the capitals.
Entasis
The slight convex swelling of a column shaft to correct the optical illusion of the column looking thin in the middle.
Stylobate
The top step of the temple platform on which the columns stand.
Tufa
A volcanic rock used as a primary building material in Roman architecture.
Travertine
A form of limestone used in Roman construction, more durable than tufa.
Pseudoperipteral
A temple with free-standing columns at the front but engaged columns attached to the walls on the sides and rear.
Engaged columns
Columns that are attached to a wall rather than being free-standing.
Cella
The main inner room of a temple, where the cult statue is kept.
Rotunda
A circular building or room, such as the main hall of the Pantheon.
Pozzolana
Volcanic ash used in Roman concrete to make it set underwater and increase its durability and strength.
Coffering
Recessed panels in a ceiling or dome used to reduce the weight of the structure and for decoration.
Pietas
The Roman virtue of duty towards the gods, ancestors, and the state.
Oculus
The circular opening at the top of a dome (e.g., in the Pantheon) that provides light.
High relief
A sculptural technique where figures project significantly from the background.
Amazonomachy
A mythological battle between Greeks and Amazons.
Pax Romana
A period of relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire established by Augustus.
Tellus
The mythological mother goddess of Earth, symbolizing prosperity on the Ara Pacis.
Roma
The personification of the city of Rome, depicted on the Ara Pacis as a goddess sitting on armor.
Aeneas
Trojan hero and ancestor of the Romans, used on the Ara Pacis to symbolize duty (pietas).
Red-figure
A style of Greek vase painting where figures are left in the natural red clay color and the background is painted black.
Tondo
The circular interior area of a Greek kylix (drinking cup).
Contrapposto
A naturalistic pose where the figure's weight is shifted onto one leg, creating a sense of movement.
Lorica musculata
A Roman military breastplate designed to mimic an idealized, muscular human torso.
Put your knowledge into practice — try past paper questions for Classical Civilisation
Doric
One of the classical orders, featuring sturdy columns with plain capitals and no base.
Shell conglomerate
A sedimentary rock composed of fragments of shells, used as the primary building material for the Temple of Zeus at Olympia.
Stucco
A plaster used for coating walls or creating decorative features; often used by Romans to mimic marble.
Peripteral
A temple surrounded by a single row of columns on all sides.
Crepidoma
The multi-stepped platform (usually three steps) of a Greek temple.
Chryselephantine
A statue made of gold (for clothing/accessories) and ivory (for skin).
Centauromachy
A mythological battle between Lapiths and Centaurs, symbolizing the struggle between civilization and barbarism (order vs. chaos).
Octastyle
A temple with a front facade of eight columns.
Pentelic marble
A high-quality white marble from Mount Pentelicus, used for the construction of the Parthenon.
Ionic
A classical order featuring more slender columns with volutes (scrolls) on the capitals.
Entasis
The slight convex swelling of a column shaft to correct the optical illusion of the column looking thin in the middle.
Stylobate
The top step of the temple platform on which the columns stand.
Tufa
A volcanic rock used as a primary building material in Roman architecture.
Travertine
A form of limestone used in Roman construction, more durable than tufa.
Pseudoperipteral
A temple with free-standing columns at the front but engaged columns attached to the walls on the sides and rear.
Engaged columns
Columns that are attached to a wall rather than being free-standing.
Cella
The main inner room of a temple, where the cult statue is kept.
Rotunda
A circular building or room, such as the main hall of the Pantheon.
Pozzolana
Volcanic ash used in Roman concrete to make it set underwater and increase its durability and strength.
Coffering
Recessed panels in a ceiling or dome used to reduce the weight of the structure and for decoration.
Pietas
The Roman virtue of duty towards the gods, ancestors, and the state.
Oculus
The circular opening at the top of a dome (e.g., in the Pantheon) that provides light.
High relief
A sculptural technique where figures project significantly from the background.
Amazonomachy
A mythological battle between Greeks and Amazons.
Pax Romana
A period of relative peace and stability across the Roman Empire established by Augustus.
Tellus
The mythological mother goddess of Earth, symbolizing prosperity on the Ara Pacis.
Roma
The personification of the city of Rome, depicted on the Ara Pacis as a goddess sitting on armor.
Aeneas
Trojan hero and ancestor of the Romans, used on the Ara Pacis to symbolize duty (pietas).
Red-figure
A style of Greek vase painting where figures are left in the natural red clay color and the background is painted black.
Tondo
The circular interior area of a Greek kylix (drinking cup).
Contrapposto
A naturalistic pose where the figure's weight is shifted onto one leg, creating a sense of movement.
Lorica musculata
A Roman military breastplate designed to mimic an idealized, muscular human torso.
