Art of Ancient Civilizations Flashcards

Grade 6 · Art · Flashcards

Study key terms and ideas from Egyptian, Greek, and Mesopotamian art.

Flashcards

Composite view

Egyptian technique combining multiple body angles — profile head, front-facing eye and shoulders

Hierarchical scale

Drawing more important figures (like pharaohs) larger than less important ones in the same scene

Cuneiform

One of the earliest writing systems, developed in Mesopotamia using wedge-shaped marks in clay

Relief sculpture

Carved images that project from a flat background surface, used decoratively on walls and buildings

Cylinder seal

A small Mesopotamian carved stone rolled in wet clay to leave a repeating decorative or identifying impression

Naturalistic

Art that shows subjects realistically with accurate proportions and lifelike movement

Idealized

Showing a subject in its most perfect, flawless form — characteristic of Classical Greek sculpture

Classical period

Greek era around 500-300 BCE known for mastery of naturalistic, idealized human form in sculpture

Parthenon

Famous Greek temple in Athens decorated with Classical relief sculptures of idealized human figures

Frieze

A horizontal decorative band of sculpture or painting along a wall or the upper section of a building

Pharaoh

The ruler of ancient Egypt, always depicted as the largest and most powerful figure in royal art

Archaic period

Early phase of Greek art featuring stiff, formal figures before the naturalism of the Classical period

Sacred purpose

The belief held by ancient Egyptians that art — especially tomb paintings — had real power to help the dead

Mesopotamia

Ancient civilization in modern-day Iraq, known for cylinder seals, cuneiform writing, and Assyrian palace reliefs

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