Midterm Guide

1. Literary Identification Question

a. Be able to identify a work’s author or title from a bank of possible answers based
on a quotation from the work.
2. Art Identification Questions
a. Answer questions about an artwork’s title or style.
3. Multiple Choice Questions
a. Be familiar with concepts covered in the course.
4. Essay Question
a. Write an essay of 5-6 paragraphs (about 500 words) using a variety of works
used in the course to illustrate your point.

Points to Study
● Literary Works
○ Genesis ch. 1-3, 6-9 - creation, story of Noah
○ Jonah ch. 1-4 - story of Jonah
○ Job ch. 1-4, 38, 42 - story of Job
○ Homer, The Iliad — went over the story of Achilles
○ Sophocles, Oedipus the King — showed the futility of fighting fate
○ Plato
■ The Apology of Socrates
■ The Allegory of the Cave
○ Aristotle, The Ethics: happiness and whatnot
○ Virgil, The Aeneid: demonstrated pietas
○ Plautus, The Haunted House: prime example of New Comedy
○ Lucretius, On the Nature of Things: Lucretius was such a freak. Epicureanism.
○ Marcus Aurelius, Meditations: described Stoicism
● Artworks
○ 2.10, 2.11, 2.12, 2.13, 2.14, 2.16, 2.18, 2.19, 2.22, 3.3, 3.7, 3.10, 3.11, 3.19, 3.20,
3.24, 3.25, 3.26, 3.27, 4.11, 4.13, 4.23, 4.25, 4.28, 4.33, 4.34 (see Quizlet)
○ Myron: classical, Discus Thrower
○ Polyclitus: late classical, Spear-Bearer, developed Canon of Proportions
○ Praxiteles: late classical, Hermes with the Infant Dionysus, Aphrodite, variations
in texture
○ Lysippus: late classical, The Scraper, new and more graceful Canon of
Proportions
● Terms to Know
○ protogeometric: abstract geometric motifs on vases
 ○ geometric: used geometric motifs with more straight lines and few curves
○ orientalizing: influenced by eastern and Egyptian art and included many
drawings on vases
○ archaic: stiff figures with slight smile
○ severe or early classical: looser figures sometimes showing action
○ classical: showed movement and balance (Discus Thrower and Spear Bearer), the
ideal human figure
○ late classical: more relaxed, more movement
○ Hellensitic: realistic, celebrating realism in life and not always the victors
○ black-figure: vases where figures were done in black with a red background
○ red-figure: vases where figures were done in red with a black background
○ kourus: male standing figure
○ kore: female standing figure
○ entasis: slight inward curve on a column
○ triglyph: tablet in a Doric frieze with three vertical grooves
○ metope: square space between triglyphs in a Doric frieze
○ capital: the cap on a column
○ frieze: horizontal sculpture set in/on wall
○ pediment: the triangular part on top of a building
○ caryatid: stone carving of a female figure used as a pillar
○ high and low relief: high relief is at least halfway removed from background; low
relief is only slightly removed from background
○ Doric: fluted or smooth with no base
○ Ionic: volutes (scroll-looking things), had a base and stylized cap
○ Corinthian: very ornate, fluted columns
○ architectural orders: system of rules regarding to shape and proportion in
architecture
○ verism: extreme naturalism
○ Roman art and architecture (distinctive characteristics): very realistic, glory in
wisdom and social stature rather than physical excellence, used arches
(triumphal arch)
● Concepts to Familiarize
○ Major divisions of the Hebrew Bible (the Law, the Writings, and the Prophets)
○ the notion of covenant in the Hebrew Bible
○ characteristics of the Hebrew notion of God
○ Greek notions of divinity
○ Greek concept of the polis
○ historical sequence of artistic styles, including major political developments that
affected them
○ areté, timé, kleos and other values evident in Greek epic poetry
■ arete: excellence
■ time: honor
■ kleos: fame
■ pietas: devotion to duty
○ characteristics of epic poetry, including:
■ in media res: beginning in the middle of the action
■ ornamental epithets: things like “swift-footed” or “white-armed.” Fit the
iambic pentameter.
■ Homeric (or epic) similes: detailed simile with many lines
■ invocation of the muse: calling on the power of the Muse to tell a story
○ origins of theater and characteristics of Greek tragedy: drama festivals of
Dionysus
○ Socrates’s notion of philosophy (its methods and aims): aimed to get practical
results for the improvement of society
○ Plato’s allegory and the notion of dialectic: dialectic is investigating the truth of
opinions
○ Aristotle’s definition of happiness
○ general historic sequence for Roman history
■ 753: legendary founding by Romulus and Remus
■ monarchy: Tarquin the king, got thrown out of Rome
■ Republic
■ Julius Caesar: dictator for life (49 BC), assassinated (44 BC)
■ Augustus Caesar: defeats Anthony and Cleopatra and becomes imperial
ruler (also known as Octavian) (31 BC)
■ institution of the Empire: Augustus Caesar starts empire (27 BC to 14 AD)
○ Roman cultural values: political power, cultural spread, conquests, art
○ characteristics of Old Comedy and New Comedy
■ Old Comedy: parodied public figures and events (Aristophanes)
■ New Comedy: fictional average citizens having silly times (Menander)
○ distinctions between comedy and tragedy: tragedy is… sad, comedy is… silly
○ basic philosophical tenets of Epicureanism and Stoicism
■ Epicureanism: the world is terrible, so you should make yourself an
alcove with a few friends where you can be self-sufficient. Live in
moderation and calm. No strong feelings allowed.
■ Stoicism: bad things will happen, but you decide whether they will make
you unhappy.