Architectural Quiz

The exterior decoration of the Treasury at Petra attests to the manner in which Nabataean architects were influenced by the

• monumental entrances of New Kingdom Egyptian temples

• advanced engineering of imperial Persian architecture

• rich ornamentation of Hellenistic architecture

• hybrid animal forms that guarded Assyrian citadels

Although the façade of the Treasury at Petra incorporates many elements of Hellenistic architecture, its inclusion of features, such as rosettes, indicates a further association with the architecture of

• Islamic Spain

• late imperial Rome

• the Mongol Empire

• the ancient Near East

All of the following decorative features displayed on the façade of the Treasury at Petra can be characterized as Hellenistic EXCEPT

• a broken pediment

• foundations of obelisks

• the Ionic and Doric friezes

• a central tholos

The Dome of the Rock in Jerusalem is a significant landmark for Muslims because the rock is believed to be the place where

• Ishmael converted pagans to monotheism

• the Kaaba originally stood

• the first caliph built a monumental palace

• Muhammad ascended to Heaven

The Dome of the Rock is most similar in plan to

• the Parthenon

• Santa Sabina

• San Vitale

• the Temple of Amun-Re

This mosque is in

• Córdoba, Spain

• Agra, India

• Isfahan, Iran

• Edirne, Turkey

This mosque is unique because of all of the following descriptions EXCEPT

• Surrounding the courtyard are four iwans which are decorated with muqarnas or traditional Islamic cusped niches.

• The mosque contains three highly ornate maqsuras, or enclosures for rulers, that were used by Umayyad rulers for over five hundred years.

• The mosque has expanded various times throughout history based on the needs of the umma, or Muslim community.

• Each of the mosque’s domes was commissioned by a different ruler which highlights the mosque’s political as well as religious importance.

The work shown was commissioned by a(n)

• devout follower of Sufism to serve as a guide during his daily prayers

• European crusader hoping to share his experiences in the East

• Mongol ruler who identified himself with legendary Persian kings

• Ottoman court official to represent Islam’s triumph over Christianity

The Ardabil Carpet was originally located in a

• palace of a Persian shah for insulation and warmth

• shrine dedicated to a Sufi saint to facilitate prayer

• monument to a caliph’s political and religious reign

• Umayyad mosque to distinguish between secular and religious spaces

The Ardabil Carpet exhibits all of the following formal characteristics EXCEPT

• rich geometric patterns

• a symmetrical and orderly composition

• hierarchy of scale

• framing elements, such as a cartouche and medallion