Archaeological Lexicon

A short glossary of archaeological and architectural terms encountered at the Stobi site.

Apodyterium – changing room in a Roman public bath.

Apse – semicircular wall at the eastern part of a basilica where the altar is located.

Arch – a semicircular stone structure that spans a certain space and simultaneously bears weight (for example: a doorway in a large wall).

Arcosolium – an architectural term used for an arched recess that served as a burial place in the catacombs. The word comes from the Latin arcus – arch and solium – sarcophagus. It is sometimes used incorrectly in the sense of “sarcophagus”. Many arcosolia were painted.

Atrium – in Roman architecture, an open inner courtyard surrounded by porticoes, while in Early Christian and medieval architecture it is an open courtyard in front of the church.

Basilica – in Roman architecture, an elongated building with two or more colonnades and an apse at the end, used for public administration. Most of these buildings were later converted into churches, and due to their widespread use the term is now mainly applied to sacral structures.

Baldachin –

Rampart – a fortification wall used to defend a settlement from potential aggressors.

Nave or aisle – a space in a basilica separated from the nave by columns.

Venatio (pl. venationes) – an entertainment program in amphitheatres and Roman theatres involving the hunting of wild animals. In Rome various exotic animals were brought from the distant provinces, and the hunts were held in the morning as a prelude to the gladiatorial combats that followed. Special measures such as barriers and ditches were taken to protect the audience.

Ecumenical council – a gathering of bishops from the entire Christian world for the purpose of discussing and defining church doctrines and practices.

Bishop – a member of the Christian clergy with extensive authority. All Christian centres have a bishop at their head.

In situ – refers to an artefact that has not been moved from its place of discovery. The in situ position is essential in interpreting the object and the culture to which it belongs.

Caldarium – (also called calidarium). A room containing masonry baths with hot water in Roman public baths. These were the hottest rooms, filled with steam. They were heated by a hypocaust. The bathing process led back from the caldarium through the tepidarium into the frigidarium.

Kantharos – a type of vessel characterized by its handles that rise above the rim. In early Christianity the vessel was used for baptism, symbolizing the baptism of Jesus Christ.

Catechumen – a person who is to enter the Christian religion through the act of baptism.

Crypt – a room beneath the floor of a basilica, usually used as a chapel or burial place that may contain a sarcophagus, coffin, or reliquary.

Colonnade – a row of columns; in Early Christian architecture the columns separated the side aisles from the central one.

Martyrium – an Early Christian mausoleum for martyrs.

Menorah – a seven-branched candelabrum that is a symbol of Judaism and an emblem of Israel.

Narthex – the antechamber of a basilica (separated by columns or a wall). Here the candidates for baptism and the catechumens were placed.

Necropolis – a cemetery (literally, city of the dead).

Opus sectile – a technique for making mosaics popularized in Rome. The technique consists of inlaying polished, cut, large pieces of material (mostly marble) onto walls and floor surfaces.

Peristyle – a courtyard within the house, surrounded by columns. The courtyard often contained a fountain or a flower garden.

Piscina – a basin, most often located in the baptistery and used for baptism. Rectangular or semicircular in shape.

Pithos – a large storage vessel that was buried in floors so that only the mouth of the vessel was visible on the surface. They were used for storing food and grain.

Portico – a porch leading to the entrance of a building. It may be extended with colonnades, with a roof structure over the porch.

Proteichisma – an independent structure opposite and parallel to the fortification wall, built to prevent enemy assaults on the ramparts.

Reliquary – a casket for relics. Relics may be the remains of a saint, a piece of clothing, or objects associated with saints.

Skene – the stage building of Roman theatres. It is located at the back of the space (orchestra) where the action takes place. The front, decorative part is called the scenae frons.

Spolia – a modern term for reused building materials and architectural elements from older structures.

Stela – a funerary monument in the form of an elongated slab on which an epitaph is carved.

Stylobate – the platform on which the colonnades of a temple are placed; in effect, the stylobate is the floor of the temple.

Tepidarium – a room with warm or lukewarm bathing water in Roman baths, heated by a hypocaust.

Triclinium – the formal dining room in a Roman house. Three couches were placed in the room, on three sides of a low table. Those dining reclined in a semi-recumbent position on the couches.

Forum – a central open space usually surrounded by public buildings and colonnades. A place where political debates, meetings, and various other activities were held.

Fresco – painting on plaster found on the walls and ceilings of houses. Pigment mixed with water is applied to a thin layer of damp, fresh plaster.

Frigidarium – a room containing a cold-water pool in Roman public baths.

Hypogeum – literally means “underground” and derives from the ancient Greek words hypo (under) and gaia (earth). It usually refers to an underground, pre-Christian temple or tomb.

Hypocaust system – a central heating system connected to a series of small channels beneath the floor level of a building, transferring heat into the rooms above. The word hypocaust literally means “heat from below”.

Central nave – the central nave of a basilica, flanked by side aisles.

Cist – a rectangular grave construction made of stone slabs.

Stucco – relief plaster decoration on walls.