OCR GCSE Classical Civilisation (J199) — Women in the Ancient World
When you upload a photo today, you carefully choose the angle, lighting, and filter to send a specific message. The Greeks and Romans did exactly the same, but instead of pixels, they used marble, bronze, and gold.
Iconography refers to the visual images and symbols used in a work of art. These choices were never accidental.
The physical location of a monument was often key to its message. Some buildings, like the Pantheon and the Temple of Portunus, remain in situ (in their original location) in Rome because they were later converted into Christian churches.
The original purpose of an object (its function) directly influenced its creation—including its scale, material, and imagery.
Students often confuse the advantages of Black-figure and Red-figure pottery. Remember that Red-figure came later and allowed for painting (rather than incising) details, creating much greater anatomical fluidity.
For 'Explain' questions (AO2), you must provide a causal link. Do not just describe what an object looks like; use phrases like 'Consequently...' or 'This choice of material facilitated...' to link its physical features to its original purpose.
When discussing the function of Classical temples, never refer to them holding 'congregations'. Temples were designed primarily as luxurious houses for the god's cult statue, with sacrifices occurring outside.
Repoussé
A metalworking technique where a design is hammered into relief from the reverse side of the metal sheet.
Iconography
The visual images, symbols, and subject matter used to convey specific messages in a work of art.
In situ
An archaeological artefact or structure that remains in its original, intended location.
Chryselephantine
A luxurious sculpture technique using gold and ivory laid over a wooden core, typically reserved for high-status cult statues.
Pseudoperipteral
A temple design featuring free-standing columns at the front, but engaged (attached) half-columns along the side and rear walls.
Hierarchal scale
An artistic convention where the most important figure is depicted significantly larger than the others to display their superior status.
Pentelic marble
High-quality white marble from Mount Pentelicus near Athens, used for major monuments like the Parthenon.
Doric
The simplest Greek architectural order, featuring sturdy columns with plain capitals and no base.
Ionic
An architectural order featuring more slender columns with scroll-like ornaments (volutes) on the capitals.
Archaic Smile
A stylized facial expression used by Greek sculptors c. 600-480 BC, possibly to suggest the subject is alive and well.
concrete
A Roman building material made from volcanic ash, lime, and rubble, allowing for massive unreinforced structures.
oculus
A circular opening at the centre of a dome or in a wall, used to admit light and air.
engaged columns
Columns that are attached to a wall rather than being free-standing.
cella
The inner chamber of a Classical temple which housed the cult statue of the deity.
Grave Circle A
A royal cemetery in Mycenae containing shaft graves where famous gold treasures, like the 'Mask of Agamemnon', were found.
Wanax
The title for a king or supreme leader in Mycenaean society.
krater
A large vessel used in Ancient Greece for mixing wine with water.
adlocutio
A formal address by a general or emperor to his troops, signaled in art by a specific raised-arm gesture.
Sol
The Roman personification of the Sun.
Tellus
The Roman goddess personifying the Earth and its fertility.
Pax Romana
'Roman Peace'; the long period of relative peace and stability established under Emperor Augustus.
Centauromachy
In Greek art, the battle between the Lapiths and the Centaurs, symbolizing the triumph of civilization over barbarism.
Black-figure
A style of pottery where black silhouettes are painted on red clay and details are incised with a sharp tool.
Red-figure
A style of pottery where the background is painted black, leaving the figures red, allowing for painted anatomical detail.
metopes
Square relief panels on a Doric frieze, often depicting mythological scenes.
peristyle
A continuous row of columns surrounding a building or a courtyard.
podium
The high platform on which a Roman temple was built to elevate it above the surrounding area.
pronaos
The enclosed front porch of a temple leading into the cella.
low relief
A type of sculpture where the figures project only slightly from the background surface.
univira
A Roman ideal of a woman who had been married to only one man in her lifetime.
pyxis
A small box or casket used by women to hold jewellery or cosmetics.
oikos
The ancient Greek concept of the household, including the family unit and its property.
Put your knowledge into practice — try past paper questions for Classical Civilisation
Repoussé
A metalworking technique where a design is hammered into relief from the reverse side of the metal sheet.
Iconography
The visual images, symbols, and subject matter used to convey specific messages in a work of art.
In situ
An archaeological artefact or structure that remains in its original, intended location.
Chryselephantine
A luxurious sculpture technique using gold and ivory laid over a wooden core, typically reserved for high-status cult statues.
Pseudoperipteral
A temple design featuring free-standing columns at the front, but engaged (attached) half-columns along the side and rear walls.
Hierarchal scale
An artistic convention where the most important figure is depicted significantly larger than the others to display their superior status.
Pentelic marble
High-quality white marble from Mount Pentelicus near Athens, used for major monuments like the Parthenon.
Doric
The simplest Greek architectural order, featuring sturdy columns with plain capitals and no base.
Ionic
An architectural order featuring more slender columns with scroll-like ornaments (volutes) on the capitals.
Archaic Smile
A stylized facial expression used by Greek sculptors c. 600-480 BC, possibly to suggest the subject is alive and well.
concrete
A Roman building material made from volcanic ash, lime, and rubble, allowing for massive unreinforced structures.
oculus
A circular opening at the centre of a dome or in a wall, used to admit light and air.
engaged columns
Columns that are attached to a wall rather than being free-standing.
cella
The inner chamber of a Classical temple which housed the cult statue of the deity.
Grave Circle A
A royal cemetery in Mycenae containing shaft graves where famous gold treasures, like the 'Mask of Agamemnon', were found.
Wanax
The title for a king or supreme leader in Mycenaean society.
krater
A large vessel used in Ancient Greece for mixing wine with water.
adlocutio
A formal address by a general or emperor to his troops, signaled in art by a specific raised-arm gesture.
Sol
The Roman personification of the Sun.
Tellus
The Roman goddess personifying the Earth and its fertility.
Pax Romana
'Roman Peace'; the long period of relative peace and stability established under Emperor Augustus.
Centauromachy
In Greek art, the battle between the Lapiths and the Centaurs, symbolizing the triumph of civilization over barbarism.
Black-figure
A style of pottery where black silhouettes are painted on red clay and details are incised with a sharp tool.
Red-figure
A style of pottery where the background is painted black, leaving the figures red, allowing for painted anatomical detail.
metopes
Square relief panels on a Doric frieze, often depicting mythological scenes.
peristyle
A continuous row of columns surrounding a building or a courtyard.
podium
The high platform on which a Roman temple was built to elevate it above the surrounding area.
pronaos
The enclosed front porch of a temple leading into the cella.
low relief
A type of sculpture where the figures project only slightly from the background surface.
univira
A Roman ideal of a woman who had been married to only one man in her lifetime.
pyxis
A small box or casket used by women to hold jewellery or cosmetics.
oikos
The ancient Greek concept of the household, including the family unit and its property.
