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gq: After Morsi was ousted by the military, the judiciary system aligned itself with the new government, actively suopporting the repression of Muslim Brotherhood members. This resulted in a sharp increase in mass death sentences that arose criticism from the US president Barack Obama and the General Secretary of the UN, Ban Ki Moon. In April 2013, one judge of the Minya governatorate of Upper Egypt, sentenced 1,212 people to death. In December 2014 the judge Mohammed Nagi Shahata, notorious for his fierceness in passing on death sentences, condemened to the capital penalty 188 members of the Muslim Brotherhood, for assaulting a police station. Various Egyptian and international human rights organisations have already pointed out the lack of fair trials, that often last only a few minutes and do not take into consideration the procedural standards of fair trials.
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Question: What US president was critical of Egypt's repression of Muslim Brotherhood? Question: How many individuals did one judge in Minya governatorate court sentence to death in April 2013? Question: What was the criticism of judge Mohammad NAgi Shatata sentence of 188 member of Muslim Brotherhood for assaulting police station?
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gq: The United States provides Egypt with annual military assistance, which in 2015 amounted to US$1.3 billion. In 1989, Egypt was designated as a major non-NATO ally of the United States. Nevertheless, ties between the two countries have partially soured since the July 2013 military coup that deposed Islamist president Mohamed Morsi, with the Obama administration condemning Egypt's violent crackdown on the Muslim Brotherhood and its supporters, and cancelling future military exercises involving the two countries. There have been recent attempts, however, to normalise relations between the two, with both governments frequently calling for mutual support in the fight against regional and international terrorism.
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Question: How much military assistance di US give Egypt in 2015? Question: What event soured relations of US and Egypt in 2013?
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gq: The Egyptian military has dozens of factories manufacturing weapons as well as consumer goods. The Armed Forces' inventory includes equipment from different countries around the world. Equipment from the former Soviet Union is being progressively replaced by more modern US, French, and British equipment, a significant portion of which is built under license in Egypt, such as the M1 Abrams tank.[citation needed] Relations with Russia have improved significantly following Mohamed Morsi's removal and both countries have worked since then to strengthen military and trade ties among other aspects of bilateral co-operation. Relations with China have also improved considerably. In 2014, Egypt and China have established a bilateral "comprehensive strategic partnership".
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Question: How many factories does Egyptian military have? Question: Equipment from what country is being replaced? Question: After Morsi removal, what country has Egypt improved relations with? Question: In 2014 what country did Egypt form partnership with?
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gq: The permanent headquarters of the Arab League are located in Cairo and the body's secretary general has traditionally been Egyptian. This position is currently held by former foreign minister Nabil el-Araby. The Arab League briefly moved from Egypt to Tunis in 1978 to protest the Egypt-Israel Peace Treaty, but it later returned to Cairo in 1989. Gulf monarchies, including the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, have pledged billions of dollars to help Egypt overcome its economic difficulties since the July 2013 coup.
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Question: Where is the Arab League headquarters? Question: Who is the leader of Arab League? Question: What 2 Gulf monarchies have pledged billions of dollars to help Egypt overcome recent economic difficulties?
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gq: Following the 1973 war and the subsequent peace treaty, Egypt became the first Arab nation to establish diplomatic relations with Israel. Despite that, Israel is still widely considered as a hostile state by the majority of Egyptians. Egypt has played a historical role as a mediator in resolving various disputes in the Middle East, most notably its handling of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the peace process. Egypt's ceasefire and truce brokering efforts in Gaza have hardly been challenged following Israel's evacuation of its settlements from the strip in 2005, despite increasing animosity towards the Hamas government in Gaza following the ouster of Mohamed Morsi, and despite recent attempts by countries like Turkey and Qatar to take over this role.
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Question: What country has Egypt famously had peace with since 1973 treaty? Question: Is Israel considered a safe state for egyptians? Question: What rope has Egypt played in Middle East peace efforts?
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gq: Egypt's economy depends mainly on agriculture, media, petroleum imports, natural gas, and tourism; there are also more than three million Egyptians working abroad, mainly in Saudi Arabia, the Persian Gulf and Europe. The completion of the Aswan High Dam in 1970 and the resultant Lake Nasser have altered the time-honored place of the Nile River in the agriculture and ecology of Egypt. A rapidly growing population, limited arable land, and dependence on the Nile all continue to overtax resources and stress the economy.
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Question: What areas of economy is Egypt dependent on? Question: Where do Egyptians working abroad work mainly? Question: What year was Aswan High Dam completed? Question: What lake reulted from completion of Aswan High Dam?
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gq: Egypt has a developed energy market based on coal, oil, natural gas, and hydro power. Substantial coal deposits in the northeast Sinai are mined at the rate of about 600,000 tonnes (590,000 long tons; 660,000 short tons) per year. Oil and gas are produced in the western desert regions, the Gulf of Suez, and the Nile Delta. Egypt has huge reserves of gas, estimated at 2,180 cubic kilometres (520 cu mi), and LNG up to 2012 exported to many countries. In 2013, the Egyptian General Petroleum Co (EGPC) said the country will cut exports of natural gas and tell major industries to slow output this summer to avoid an energy crisis and stave off political unrest, Reuters has reported. Egypt is counting on top liquid natural gas (LNG) exporter Qatar to obtain additional gas volumes in summer, while encouraging factories to plan their annual maintenance for those months of peak demand, said EGPC chairman, Tarek El Barkatawy. Egypt produces its own energy, but has been a net oil importer since 2008 and is rapidly becoming a net importer of natural gas.
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Question: What is Egypts energy market based upon? Question: How much coal is mine yearly in northeast Sinai? Question: What efforts were made in 2013 to maintain sustainability? Question: Is Egypt able to sustain just from its own energy production?
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gq: Economic conditions have started to improve considerably, after a period of stagnation, due to the adoption of more liberal economic policies by the government as well as increased revenues from tourism and a booming stock market. In its annual report, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has rated Egypt as one of the top countries in the world undertaking economic reforms. Some major economic reforms undertaken by the government since 2003 include a dramatic slashing of customs and tariffs. A new taxation law implemented in 2005 decreased corporate taxes from 40% to the current 20%, resulting in a stated 100% increase in tax revenue by the year 2006.
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Question: What has been the trend lately in the Egypt economy? Question: What area of business have boomed lately in Egypt? Question: What was change made to corporate taxes in 2005? Question: What ws the overall impact to tax revenue from change of corporate tax rate?
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gq: Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Egypt increased considerably before the removal of Hosni Mubarak, exceeding $6 billion in 2006, due to economic liberalisation and privatisation measures taken by minister of investment Mahmoud Mohieddin.[citation needed] Since the fall of Hosni Mubarak in 2011, Egypt has experienced a drastic fall in both foreign investment and tourism revenues, followed by a 60% drop in foreign exchange reserves, a 3% drop in growth, and a rapid devaluation of the Egyptian pound.
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Question: How much had FDI increased to in 2006? Question: Since 2011 direction has Forign direct investment gone? Question: What has been the change in foreign exhange reserves since 2011? Question: What has been the overall growth of economy since 2011?
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gq: Although one of the main obstacles still facing the Egyptian economy is the limited trickle down of wealth to the average population, many Egyptians criticise their government for higher prices of basic goods while their standards of living or purchasing power remains relatively stagnant. Corruption is often cited by Egyptians as the main impediment to further economic growth. The government promised major reconstruction of the country's infrastructure, using money paid for the newly acquired third mobile license ($3 billion) by Etisalat in 2006. In the Corruption Perceptions Index 2013, Egypt was ranked 114 out of 177.
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Question: To what extent does wealth reach from affluent down to average population? Question: Who do Egyptians blame for higher prices, while purchasing power and standard of living are stagnate? Question: Where did Egyptian plan to get funds to use for reconstruction of infrastructure? Question: Where did Egypt rank in Corruption perceptions Index in 2013?
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gq: Egypt's most prominent multinational companies are the Orascom Group and Raya Contact Center. The information technology (IT) sector has expanded rapidly in the past few years, with many start-ups selling outsourcing services to North America and Europe, operating with companies such as Microsoft, Oracle and other major corporations, as well as many small and medium size enterprises. Some of these companies are the Xceed Contact Center, Raya, E Group Connections and C3. The IT sector has been stimulated by new Egyptian entrepreneurs with government encouragement.[citation needed]
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Question: What are Egypt's 2 most prominent multinational compnaies? Question: What sector has expanded radiply by selling outsourcing services to North America and Europe? Question: What has stimulated IT sector?
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gq: Egypt has a wide range of beaches situated on the Mediterranean and the Red Sea that extend to over 3,000 km. The Red Sea has serene waters, coloured coral reefs, rare fish and beautiful mountains. The Akba Gulf beaches also provide facilities for practising sea sports. Safaga tops the Red Sea zone with its beautiful location on the Suez Gulf. Last but not least, Sharm el-Sheikh (or City of Peace), Hurghada, Luxor (known as world's greatest open-air museum/ or City of the ⅓ of world monuments), Dahab, Ras Sidr, Marsa Alam, Safaga and the northern coast of the Mediterranean are major tourist's destinations of the recreational tourism.
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Question: Where are Egyptian beaches situated? Question: How far do Egyptian beaches extend? Question: What Egypt located body of water is known for its serenity? Question: What locations on Egypt's northern coast are major tourist destinations for recreational tourism?
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gq: Egypt was producing 691,000 bbl/d of oil and 2,141.05 Tcf of natural gas (in 2013), which makes Egypt as the largest oil producer not member of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) and the second-largest dry natural gas producer in Africa. In 2013, Egypt was the largest consumer of oil and natural gas in Africa, as more than 20% of total oil consumption and more than 40% of total dry natural gas consumption in Africa. Also, Egypt possesses the largest oil refinery capacity in Africa 726,000 bbl/d (in 2012). Egypt is currently planning to build its first nuclear power plant in El Dabaa city, northern Egypt.
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Question: How much oil is Egypt producing in a day? Question: How much natural gas is Egypt producing in a day? Question: Where does Egypt rank among oil and natural gas sonsumers in Africa? Question: Where is Egypt planning to build is first nuclear power plant?
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gq: The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt considered the most important centre of the maritime transport in the Middle East, connecting the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea. Opened in November 1869 after 10 years of construction work, it allows ship transport between Europe and Asia without navigation around Africa. The northern terminus is Port Said and the southern terminus is Port Tawfiq at the city of Suez. Ismailia lies on its west bank, 3 km (1.9 mi) from the half-way point.
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Question: What is consideredt the most important part of maritime transport in middle east? Question: Is the Suez Canal natural? Question: What 2 bodies of water does Suez connect? Question: When was Suez canal completed?
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gq: The canal is 193.30 km (120.11 mi) long, 24 m (79 ft) deep and 205 metres (673 ft) wide as of 2010. It consists of the northern access channel of 22 km (14 mi), the canal itself of 162.25 km (100.82 mi) and the southern access channel of 9 km (5.6 mi). The canal is a single lane with passing places in the "Ballah By-Pass" and the Great Bitter Lake. It contains no locks; seawater flows freely through the canal. In general, the canal north of the Bitter Lakes flows north in winter and south in summer. The current south of the lakes changes with the tide at Suez.
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Question: How long is Suez canal? Question: How deep is Suez canal? Question: How wide is Suez canal? Question: How many locks are contained in Suez Canal? Question: What direction does the canal north of Bitter lakes flow?
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gq: Drinking water supply and sanitation in Egypt is characterised by both achievements and challenges. Among the achievements are an increase of piped water supply between 1990 and 2010 from 89% to 100% in urban areas and from 39% to 93% in rural areas despite rapid population growth, the elimination of open defecation in rural areas during the same period, and in general a relatively high level of investment in infrastructure. Access to an improved water source in Egypt is now practically universal with a rate of 99%. About one half of the population is connected to sanitary sewers.
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Question: What basic part of civilization has been characterized by achievement and challenges? Question: From 1990 to 2010 what was improvement in piped water supply to urban areas? Question: From 1990 to 2010 what was improvement in piped water supply to rural areas? Question: Currently how much of Egypt's population is connected to sanitary sewers?
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gq: Partly because of low sanitation coverage about 17,000 children die each year because of diarrhoea. Another challenge is low cost recovery due to water tariffs that are among the lowest in the world. This in turn requires government subsidies even for operating costs, a situation that has been aggravated by salary increases without tariff increases after the Arab Spring. Poor operation of facilities, such as water and wastewater treatment plants, as well as limited government accountability and transparency, are also issues.
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Question: Because of low sanitation coverage 17,000 Egyptian children to die each year from what condition? Question: Relative to other countries of world how do Egypts's water tariffs compare? Question: Due to low waer tariffs, what is required to maintain water treatment operation?
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gq: Ethnic Egyptians are by far the largest ethnic group in the country, constituting 91% of the total population. Ethnic minorities include the Abazas, Turks, Greeks, Bedouin Arab tribes living in the eastern deserts and the Sinai Peninsula, the Berber-speaking Siwis (Amazigh) of the Siwa Oasis, and the Nubian communities clustered along the Nile. There are also tribal Beja communities concentrated in the south-eastern-most corner of the country, and a number of Dom clans mostly in the Nile Delta and Faiyum who are progressively becoming assimilated as urbanisation increases.
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Question: What is the largest ethnic group in Egypt? Question: What are the minorities that live in eastern deserts of Egypt? Question: Where are Dom clans mostly gathered?
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gq: Egypt also hosts an unknown number of refugees and asylum seekers, estimated to be between 500,000 and 3 million. There are some 70,000 Palestinian refugees, and about 150,000 recently arrived Iraqi refugees, but the number of the largest group, the Sudanese, is contested.[nb 1] The once-vibrant and ancient Greek and Jewish communities in Egypt have almost disappeared, with only a small number remaining in the country, but many Egyptian Jews visit on religious or other occasions and tourism. Several important Jewish archaeological and historical sites are found in Cairo, Alexandria and other cities.
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Question: Approximately how many rufugees and asylum seekers are in Egypt? Question: How may Palestinian refugees are in Egypt? Question: How many recent Iraqi refugees are in Egypt? Question: What cities house several important Jewish archaelogical sites?
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gq: The official language of the Republic is Modern Standard Arabic. Arabic was adopted by the Egyptians after the Arab invasion of Egypt. The spoken languages are: Egyptian Arabic (68%), Sa'idi Arabic (29%), Eastern Egyptian Bedawi Arabic (1.6%), Sudanese Arabic (0.6%), Domari (0.3%), Nobiin (0.3%), Beja (0.1%), Siwi and others. Additionally, Greek, Armenian and Italian are the main languages of immigrants. In Alexandria in the 19th century there was a large community of Italian Egyptians and Italian was the "lingua franca" of the city.
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Question: What is official language of Egypt? Question: What are the three most spoken languages in Egypt? Question: What are main laguages of immigrants? Question: In the 19th century, what city of Egypt was a large community of Italian Egyptians?
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gq: Although Egypt was a majority Christian country before the 7th Century, after Islam arrived, the country was slowly Islamified to become a majority Muslim country. Egypt emerged as a centre of politics and culture in the Muslim world. Under Anwar Sadat, Islam became the official state religion and Sharia the main source of law. It is estimated that 15 million Egyptians follow Native Sufi orders, with the Sufi leadership asserting that the numbers are much greater as many Egyptian Sufis are not officially registered with a Sufi order.
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Question: Prior to 7th century, what was primary religion of Egypt? Question: Under what leader did Islam become official religion of Egypt? Question: What became the main source of law with increasing Islamic influence in Egypt?
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gq: Of the Christian minority in Egypt over 90% belong to the native Coptic Orthodox Church of Alexandria, an Oriental Orthodox Christian Church. Other native Egyptian Christians are adherents of the Coptic Catholic Church, the Evangelical Church of Egypt and various other Protestant denominations. Non-native Christian communities are largely found in the urban regions of Cairo and Alexandria, such as the Syro-Lebanese, who belong to Greek Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Maronite Catholic denominations.
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Question: What church do 90% of Christian minority in Egypt belong? Question: Where are other Non-native Christian communities found? Question: What do Syro-Lebanese belong to?
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gq: Egypt recognises only three religions: Islam, Christianity, and Judaism. Other faiths and minority Muslim sects practised by Egyptians, such as the small Bahá'í and Ahmadi community, are not recognised by the state and face persecution since they are labelled as far right groups that threaten Egypt's national security. Individuals, particularly Baha'is and atheists, wishing to include their religion (or lack thereof) on their mandatory state issued identification cards are denied this ability (see Egyptian identification card controversy), and are put in the position of either not obtaining required identification or lying about their faith. A 2008 court ruling allowed members of unrecognised faiths to obtain identification and leave the religion field blank.
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Question: What 3 religions does Egypt recognise? Question: What recognition do Baha'i and Hmadi community get from Egyptian government? Question: Until what year did some minorities need to lie about religion or not get mandatory state issued ID?
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gq: The Egyptians were one of the first major civilisations to codify design elements in art and architecture. Egyptian blue, also known as calcium copper silicate is a pigment used by Egyptians for thousands of years. It is considered to be the first synthetic pigment. The wall paintings done in the service of the Pharaohs followed a rigid code of visual rules and meanings. Egyptian civilisation is renowned for its colossal pyramids, temples and monumental tombs. Well-known examples are the Pyramid of Djoser designed by ancient architect and engineer Imhotep, the Sphinx, and the temple of Abu Simbel. Modern and contemporary Egyptian art can be as diverse as any works in the world art scene, from the vernacular architecture of Hassan Fathy and Ramses Wissa Wassef, to Mahmoud Mokhtar's sculptures, to the distinctive Coptic iconography of Isaac Fanous. The Cairo Opera House serves as the main performing arts venue in the Egyptian capital.
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Question: What color was frequently used in Egyptian designs? Question: What art required adherence to rigid code? Question: Who designed the Pyramid of Djoser? Question: What is the main performing arts venue in Egyptian capital?
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gq: Egyptian literature traces its beginnings to ancient Egypt and is some of the earliest known literature. Indeed, the Egyptians were the first culture to develop literature as we know it today, that is, the book. It is an important cultural element in the life of Egypt. Egyptian novelists and poets were among the first to experiment with modern styles of Arabic literature, and the forms they developed have been widely imitated throughout the Middle East. The first modern Egyptian novel Zaynab by Muhammad Husayn Haykal was published in 1913 in the Egyptian vernacular. Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz was the first Arabic-language writer to win the Nobel Prize in Literature. Egyptian women writers include Nawal El Saadawi, well known for her feminist activism, and Alifa Rifaat who also writes about women and tradition.
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Question: Who was the first to develop literature? Question: What syles did writers in Arabic literature experiment with first? Question: What was the first modern Egyptian novel? Question: When was Munammad Huayn Haykal's first modern novel published?
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gq: Egyptian cinema became a regional force with the coming of sound. In 1936, Studio Misr, financed by industrialist Talaat Harb, emerged as the leading Egyptian studio, a role the company retained for three decades. For over 100 years, more than 4000 films have been produced in Egypt, three quarters of the total Arab production.[citation needed] Egypt is considered the leading country in the field of cinema in the Middle East. Actors from all over the Arab World seek to appear in the Egyptian cinema for the sake of fame. The Cairo International Film Festival has been rated as one of 11 festivals with a top class rating worldwide by the International Federation of Film Producers' Associations.
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Question: In what year was Studio Misr founded? Question: Who financed Studio Misr? Question: In more that 100 years how many films have been produced in Egypt? Question: What share of Arab productions have come from Egypt?
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gq: Egyptian music is a rich mixture of indigenous, Mediterranean, African and Western elements. It has been an integral part of Egyptian culture since antiquity. The ancient Egyptians credited one of their gods Hathor with the invention of music, which Osiris in turn used as part of his effort to civilise the world. Egyptians used music instruments since then. Contemporary Egyptian music traces its beginnings to the creative work of people such as Abdu El Hamouli, Almaz and Mahmoud Osman, who influenced the later work of Sayed Darwish, Umm Kulthum, Mohammed Abdel Wahab and Abdel Halim Hafez whose age is considered the golden age of music in Egypt and the whole Middle East and North-Africa. Prominent contemporary Egyptian pop singers include Amr Diab and Mohamed Mounir.
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Question: What elements mix for Egyptian music? Question: Who is credited with invention of music by ancient Egyptians? Question: What artist are considered the golden age of Egyptian music? Question: What is more contemporary Egyptian Pop Singer?
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gq: Egypt has one of the oldest civilisations in the world. It has been in contact with many other civilisations and nations and has been through so many eras, starting from prehistoric age to the modern age, passing through so many ages such as; Pharonic, Roman, Greek, Islamic and many other ages. Because of this wide variation of ages, the continuous contact with other nations and the big number of conflicts Egypt had been through, at least 60 museums may be found in Egypt, mainly covering a wide area of these ages and conflicts.
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Question: What is the oldest era in Egypt? Question: What are some examples of Ages in Egypt? Question: How many museums are found in Egypt?
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gq: Some consider koshari (a mixture of rice, lentils, and macaroni) to be the national dish. Fried onions can be also added to koshari. In addition, ful medames (mashed fava beans) is one of the most popular dishes. Fava bean is also used in making falafel (also known as "ta'meyya"), which may have originated in Egypt and spread to other parts of the Middle East. Garlic fried with coriander is added to mulukhiyya, a popular green soup made from finely chopped jute leaves, sometimes with chicken or rabbit.
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Question: What is koshari? Question: What can be added to koshari? Question: What beans are used to make falafel? Question: What is a polular green soup of Egypt?
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gq: Football is the most popular national sport of Egypt. The Cairo Derby is one of the fiercest derbies in Africa, and the BBC picked it as one of the 7 toughest derbies in the world. Al Ahly is the most successful club of the 20th century in the African continent according to CAF, closely followed by their rivals Zamalek SC. Al Ahly was named in 2000 by the Confederation of African Football as the "African Club of the Century". With twenty titles, Al Ahly is currently the world's most successful club in terms of international trophies, surpassing Italy's A.C. Milan and Argentina's Boca Juniors, both having eighteen.
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Question: What is the most popular sport in Egypt? Question: What is one of the toughest derbies in the world, run in Egypt? Question: In terms of international trophies, whos is the most successful club?
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gq: Egypt has hosted several international competitions. the last one was 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup which took place between 24 September - 16 October 2009. On Friday 19 September of the year 2014, Guinness World Records has announced that Egyptian scuba diver Ahmed Gabr is the new title holder for deepest salt water scuba dive, at 332.35 metres. Ahmed set a new world record Friday when he reached a depth of more than 1,000 feet. The 14-hour feat took Gabr 1,066 feet down into the abyss near the Egyptian town of Dahab in ther Red Sea, where he works as a diving instructor.
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Question: What was the last international competition Egypt hosted? Question: Who holds Guiness record for Deepest salt water scuba dive? Question: How deep did Gabr dive? Question: In what body of water did Gabr dive?
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gq: Mosaic has a long history, starting in Mesopotamia in the 3rd millennium BC. Pebble mosaics were made in Tiryns in Mycenean Greece; mosaics with patterns and pictures became widespread in classical times, both in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. Early Christian basilicas from the 4th century onwards were decorated with wall and ceiling mosaics. Mosaic art flourished in the Byzantine Empire from the 6th to the 15th centuries; that tradition was adopted by the Norman kingdom in Sicily in the 12th century, by eastern-influenced Venice, and among the Rus in Ukraine. Mosaic fell out of fashion in the Renaissance, though artists like Raphael continued to practise the old technique. Roman and Byzantine influence led Jews to decorate 5th and 6th century synagogues in the Middle East with floor mosaics.
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Question: What millennium did Mosaic start? Question: What kind of mosaic were made in Tiryns? Question: The Norman kingdomwas in what italian city state? Question: When did mosaic fall out of fashion? Question: Who besides the Romans did the Jewish people get influenced by?
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gq: Bronze age pebble mosaics have been found at Tiryns; mosaics of the 4th century BC are found in the Macedonian palace-city of Aegae, and the 4th-century BC mosaic of The Beauty of Durrës discovered in Durrës, Albania in 1916, is an early figural example; the Greek figural style was mostly formed in the 3rd century BC. Mythological subjects, or scenes of hunting or other pursuits of the wealthy, were popular as the centrepieces of a larger geometric design, with strongly emphasized borders. Pliny the Elder mentions the artist Sosus of Pergamon by name, describing his mosaics of the food left on a floor after a feast and of a group of doves drinking from a bowl. Both of these themes were widely copied.
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Question: The pebble mosaics found at Tiyns are from what age? Question: When was the famous mosaic "The Beauty of Durres" created? Question: The Beauty of Durres is in what country? Question: When was the Greek figure style mostly formed? Question: The famous artists Sosus was from what area?
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gq: Greek figural mosaics could have been copied or adapted paintings, a far more prestigious artform, and the style was enthusiastically adopted by the Romans so that large floor mosaics enriched the floors of Hellenistic villas and Roman dwellings from Britain to Dura-Europos. Most recorded names of Roman mosaic workers are Greek, suggesting they dominated high quality work across the empire; no doubt most ordinary craftsmen were slaves. Splendid mosaic floors are found in Roman villas across North Africa, in places such as Carthage, and can still be seen in the extensive collection in Bardo Museum in Tunis, Tunisia.
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Question: What common artform is far more prestigious than mosaic? Question: Which culture adapted the use of mosaics for large ground coverings in their villas? Question: Most names of Roman mosaic workers are what nationality? Question: Often regular everyday craftsman were most likely what? Question: Carthage and Tunisia are in what general area?
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gq: There were two main techniques in Greco-Roman mosaic: opus vermiculatum used tiny tesserae, typically cubes of 4 millimeters or less, and was produced in workshops in relatively small panels which were transported to the site glued to some temporary support. The tiny tesserae allowed very fine detail, and an approach to the illusionism of painting. Often small panels called emblemata were inserted into walls or as the highlights of larger floor-mosaics in coarser work. The normal technique was opus tessellatum, using larger tesserae, which was laid on site. There was a distinct native Italian style using black on a white background, which was no doubt cheaper than fully coloured work.
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Question: What type of mosaic uses small tesserae? Question: What was the benefit of using small pieces to create a mosaic? Question: What were small panel mosaics known as? Question: What was the name of the mosaic technique that used larger tesserae? Question: Why were black and white pieces used in most italian mosaics?
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gq: In Rome, Nero and his architects used mosaics to cover some surfaces of walls and ceilings in the Domus Aurea, built 64 AD, and wall mosaics are also found at Pompeii and neighbouring sites. However it seems that it was not until the Christian era that figural wall mosaics became a major form of artistic expression. The Roman church of Santa Costanza, which served as a mausoleum for one or more of the Imperial family, has both religious mosaic and decorative secular ceiling mosaics on a round vault, which probably represent the style of contemporary palace decoration.
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Question: The church of Santa Costanza is in what country? Question: Which caesar hired builders to construct the Domus Aurea? Question: When was the Domus Aurea constructed? Question: When did figure wall mosaics become the highest form of artistic expression? Question: The imperial family of Rome used the church of Santa Costanza as what?
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gq: The mosaics of the Villa Romana del Casale near Piazza Armerina in Sicily are the largest collection of late Roman mosaics in situ in the world, and are protected as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The large villa rustica, which was probably owned by Emperor Maximian, was built largely in the early 4th century. The mosaics were covered and protected for 700 years by a landslide that occurred in the 12th Century. The most important pieces are the Circus Scene, the 64m long Great Hunting Scene, the Little Hunt, the Labours of Hercules and the famous Bikini Girls, showing women undertaking a range of sporting activities in garments that resemble 20th Century bikinis. The peristyle, the imperial apartments and the thermae were also decorated with ornamental and mythological mosaics. Other important examples of Roman mosaic art in Sicily were unearthed on the Piazza Vittoria in Palermo where two houses were discovered. The most important scenes there depicted Orpheus, Alexander the Great's Hunt and the Four Seasons.
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Question: In what area of Italy is the largest collection of mosaics in the world? Question: Who most likely lived in the large villa rustica? Question: What caused the mosaics at the villa rustica to be protected for centuries? Question: How long is the hunting scene at the villa rustica? Question: Where in Sicily were the "Orpheus," and the "Four Seasons" discovered?
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gq: In 1913 the Zliten mosaic, a Roman mosaic famous for its many scenes from gladiatorial contests, hunting and everyday life, was discovered in the Libyan town of Zliten. In 2000 archaeologists working in Leptis Magna, Libya, uncovered a 30 ft length of five colorful mosaics created during the 1st or 2nd century AD. The mosaics show a warrior in combat with a deer, four young men wrestling a wild bull to the ground, and a gladiator resting in a state of fatigue, staring at his slain opponent. The mosaics decorated the walls of a cold plunge pool in a bath house within a Roman villa. The gladiator mosaic is noted by scholars as one of the finest examples of mosaic art ever seen — a "masterpiece comparable in quality with the Alexander Mosaic in Pompeii."
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Question: When was the Zliten mosaic discovered? Question: What scenes are depicted on the Zliten mosaic? Question: How long was the mural discovered in Libya? Question: The mosaics uncovered in Libya were from which century? Question: The gladiator mosaic is on par with the Alexander mosaic in which city?
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gq: With the building of Christian basilicas in the late 4th century, wall and ceiling mosaics were adopted for Christian uses. The earliest examples of Christian basilicas have not survived, but the mosaics of Santa Constanza and Santa Pudenziana, both from the 4th century, still exist. The winemaking putti in the ambulatory of Santa Constanza still follow the classical tradition in that they represent the feast of Bacchus, which symbolizes transformation or change, and are thus appropriate for a mausoleum, the original function of this building. In another great Constantinian basilica, the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem the original mosaic floor with typical Roman geometric motifs is partially preserved. The so-called Tomb of the Julii, near the crypt beneath St Peter's Basilica, is a 4th-century vaulted tomb with wall and ceiling mosaics that are given Christian interpretations. The Rotunda of Galerius in Thessaloniki, converted into a Christian church during the course of the 4th century, was embellished with very high artistic quality mosaics. Only fragments survive of the original decoration, especially a band depicting saints with hands raised in prayer, in front of complex architectural fantasies.
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Question: Around what century were mosaics adapted for Christian churches? Question: What Christian church besides the Santa Costanza was built in the 4th century? Question: What was the original function of the Santa Costanza church? Question: Under what period were the 4th century churches built? Question: In which basilica is the Tomb of Julii?
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gq: In the following century Ravenna, the capital of the Western Roman Empire, became the center of late Roman mosaic art (see details in Ravenna section). Milan also served as the capital of the western empire in the 4th century. In the St Aquilinus Chapel of the Basilica of San Lorenzo, mosaics executed in the late 4th and early 5th centuries depict Christ with the Apostles and the Abduction of Elijah; these mosaics are outstanding for their bright colors, naturalism and adherence to the classical canons of order and proportion. The surviving apse mosaic of the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio, which shows Christ enthroned between Saint Gervasius and Saint Protasius and angels before a golden background date back to the 5th and to the 8th century, although it was restored many times later. The baptistery of the basilica, which was demolished in the 15th century, had a vault covered with gold-leaf tesserae, large quantities of which were found when the site was excavated. In the small shrine of San Vittore in ciel d'oro, now a chapel of Sant'Ambrogio, every surface is covered with mosaics from the second half of the 5th century. Saint Victor is depicted in the center of the golden dome, while figures of saints are shown on the walls before a blue background. The low spandrels give space for the symbols of the four Evangelists.
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Question: Which city besides Ravenna served as the capital of the Western Roman Empire? Question: Who do the mosaics at the the basilica of San Lorenzo depict as being abducted? Question: What is the name of the mosaic in the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio? Question: When was the baptistry at the Basilica of Sant'Ambrogio demolished? Question: The shrine of San Vittore in ciel d'oro had mosaics from which century?
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gq: In the 5th-century Ravenna, the capital of the Western Roman Empire, became the center of late Roman mosaic art. The Mausoleum of Galla Placidia was decorated with mosaics of high artistic quality in 425–430. The vaults of the small, cross-shaped structure are clad with mosaics on blue background. The central motif above the crossing is a golden cross in the middle of the starry sky. Another great building established by Galla Placidia was the church of San Giovanni Evangelista. She erected it in fulfillment of a vow that she made having escaped from a deadly storm in 425 on the sea voyage from Constantinople to Ravenna. The mosaics depicted the storm, portraits of members of the western and eastern imperial family and the bishop of Ravenna, Peter Chrysologus. They are known only from Renaissance sources because almost all were destroyed in 1747.
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Question: In the 5th century what was the capital of the Western Roman Empire? Question: What years was the Mausoleum of Galla Placidia decorated with mosaics? Question: What other famous landmark in Ravenna was established by Galla Placidia? Question: Why did Galla Placidia erect the church of San Giovanni Evangelista? Question: When were most of the mosaics at the church of San Giovanni Evangelista destroyed?
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gq: After 539 Ravenna was reconquered by the Romans in the form of the Eastern Roman Empire (Byzantine Empire) and became the seat of the Exarchate of Ravenna. The greatest development of Christian mosaics unfolded in the second half of the 6th century. Outstanding examples of Byzantine mosaic art are the later phase mosaics in the Basilica of San Vitale and Basilica of Sant'Apollinare Nuovo. The mosaic depicting Emperor Saint Justinian I and Empress Theodora in the Basilica of San Vitale were executed shortly after the Byzantine conquest. The mosaics of the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare in Classe were made around 549. The anti-Arian theme is obvious in the apse mosaic of San Michele in Affricisco, executed in 545–547 (largely destroyed; the remains in Berlin).
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Question: When was Ravenna conquered by the Eastern Roman Empire? Question: When did the biggest achievement in Christian mosaics take place? Question: What event led up to the creation of the amazing mosaics in in the Basilica of San Vitale? Question: When were the mosaics at the Basilica of Sant'Apollinare created? Question: Where are the remains of the apse mosaic of San Michele?
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gq: The mosaic pavement of the Vrina Plain basilica of Butrint, Albania appear to pre-date that of the Baptistery by almost a generation, dating to the last quarter of the 5th or the first years of the 6th century. The mosaic displays a variety of motifs including sea-creatures, birds, terrestrial beasts, fruits, flowers, trees and abstracts – designed to depict a terrestrial paradise of God’s creation. Superimposed on this scheme are two large tablets, tabulae ansatae, carrying inscriptions. A variety of fish, a crab, a lobster, shrimps, mushrooms, flowers, a stag and two cruciform designs surround the smaller of the two inscriptions, which reads: In fulfilment of the vow (prayer) of those whose names God knows. This anonymous dedicatory inscription is a public demonstration of the benefactors’ humility and an acknowledgement of God’s omniscience.
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Question: The Vrina Plain basilica is in which city? Question: In what country is Butrint? Question: The floor mosaic in Butrint is how much older than that of the Baptistry? Question: What was the mosaic at Butrint designed to portray? Question: What type of message was left on the mosaics at Butrint?
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gq: The abundant variety of natural life depicted in the Butrint mosaics celebrates the richness of God’s creation; some elements also have specific connotations. The kantharos vase and vine refer to the eucharist, the symbol of the sacrifice of Christ leading to salvation. Peacocks are symbols of paradise and resurrection; shown eating or drinking from the vase they indicate the route to eternal life. Deer or stags were commonly used as images of the faithful aspiring to Christ: "As a heart desireth the water brook, so my souls longs for thee, O God." Water-birds and fish and other sea-creatures can indicate baptism as well as the members of the Church who are christened.
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Question: What was depicted on the Butrint mosaics in abundance? Question: What do the katharos vase and vine refer to? Question: What do peacocks represent in Christian symbolism? Question: What did deers or stags represent in Christian Symbolism? Question: What do most sea-creatures represent in Christina symbolism?
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gq: Christian mosaic art also flourished in Rome, gradually declining as conditions became more difficult in the Early Middle Ages. 5th century mosaics can be found over the triumphal arch and in the nave of the basilica of Santa Maria Maggiore. The 27 surviving panels of the nave are the most important mosaic cycle in Rome of this period. Two other important 5th century mosaics are lost but we know them from 17th-century drawings. In the apse mosaic of Sant'Agata dei Goti (462–472, destroyed in 1589) Christ was seated on a globe with the twelve Apostles flanking him, six on either side. At Sant'Andrea in Catabarbara (468–483, destroyed in 1686) Christ appeared in the center, flanked on either side by three Apostles. Four streams flowed from the little mountain supporting Christ. The original 5th-century apse mosaic of the Santa Sabina was replaced by a very similar fresco by Taddeo Zuccari in 1559. The composition probably remained unchanged: Christ flanked by male and female saints, seated on a hill while lambs drinking from a stream at its feet. All three mosaics had a similar iconography.
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Question: When did conditions become difficult for mosaic art in Rome? Question: When was the mosaic of Sant'Agata dei Goti destroyed? Question: Who was the artist that painted the fresco that replaced the mosaic at Santa Sobina? Question: When was the mosaic at Santa Sabina replaced with a fresco? Question: What was similar between the three most important 5th century mosaics?
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gq: In the 7th–9th centuries Rome fell under the influence of Byzantine art, noticeable on the mosaics of Santa Prassede, Santa Maria in Domnica, Sant'Agnese fuori le Mura, Santa Cecilia in Trastevere, Santi Nereo e Achilleo and the San Venanzio chapel of San Giovanni in Laterano. The great dining hall of Pope Leo III in the Lateran Palace was also decorated with mosaics. They were all destroyed later except for one example, the so-called Triclinio Leoniano of which a copy was made in the 18th century. Another great work of Pope Leo, the apse mosaic of Santa Susanna, depicted Christ with the Pope and Charlemagne on one side, and SS. Susanna and Felicity on the other. It was plastered over during a renovation in 1585. Pope Paschal I (817–824) embellished the church of Santo Stefano del Cacco with an apsidal mosaic which depicted the pope with a model of the church (destroyed in 1607).
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Question: During which centuries did ROme fall under the influence of Byzantine art? Question: The lateran Palace was decorated with what? Question: What do most mosaics from the 7th-9th centuries have in common? Question: Which mosaic survived through the 9th century, and then had a copy made in the 18th? Question: When was the mosaic at the church of Santo Stefano del Cacco destroyed?
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gq: Important fragments survived from the mosaic floor of the Great Palace of Constantinople which was commissioned during Justinian's reign. The figures, animals, plants all are entirely classical but they are scattered before a plain background. The portrait of a moustached man, probably a Gothic chieftain, is considered the most important surviving mosaic of the Justinianian age. The so-called small sekreton of the palace was built during Justin II's reign around 565–577. Some fragments survive from the mosaics of this vaulted room. The vine scroll motifs are very similar to those in the Santa Constanza and they still closely follow the Classical tradition. There are remains of floral decoration in the Church of the Acheiropoietos in Thessaloniki (5th–6th centuries).
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Question: When were the mosaics at the Great Palace of Constantinople commissioned? Question: What is considered the most important surviving mosaic of the Justinian age? Question: What was the small vaulted room in the Great Palace of Constantinople called? Question: Vine Scroll motifs are classified under what kind of tradition? Question: When were the mosaics at the church in Thessaloniki created?
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gq: Very few early Byzantine mosaics survived the Iconoclastic destruction of the 8th century. Among the rare examples are the 6th-century Christ in majesty (or Ezekiel's Vision) mosaic in the apse of the Church of Hosios David in Thessaloniki that was hidden behind mortar during those dangerous times. Nine mosaic panels in the Hagios Demetrios Church, which were made between 634 and 730, also escaped destruction. Unusually almost all represent Saint Demetrius of Thessaloniki, often with suppliants before him.
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Question: How many Byzantine mosaics survived past the 8th century? Question: The mosaic in the church in Thessaloniki is know as what? Question: Why was Christ in majesty protected from the iconoclastic destruction? Question: When were the panels in the Hagios Demetrios Church created? Question: What is common about the surviving mosaics from the 7th-9th centuries?
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gq: In the Iconoclastic era, figural mosaics were also condemned as idolatry. The Iconoclastic churches were embellished with plain gold mosaics with only one great cross in the apse like the Hagia Irene in Constantinople (after 740). There were similar crosses in the apses of the Hagia Sophia Church in Thessaloniki and in the Church of the Dormition in Nicaea. The crosses were substituted with the image of the Theotokos in both churches after the victory of the Iconodules (787–797 and in 8th–9th centuries respectively, the Dormition church was totally destroyed in 1922).
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Question: Why were mosaics destroyed in the iconoclastic era? Question: What was the common mosaic theme of iconoclastic churches? Question: When did the Hagia Irene adapt the iconoclastic era mosaics? Question: When did the Iconodules change the cross in the Hagia Sophia? Question: When was the Dormition church destroyed?
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gq: The Nea Moni Monastery on Chios was established by Constantine Monomachos in 1043–1056. The exceptional mosaic decoration of the dome showing probably the nine orders of the angels was destroyed in 1822 but other panels survived (Theotokos with raised hands, four evangelists with seraphim, scenes from Christ's life and an interesting Anastasis where King Salomon bears resemblance to Constantine Monomachos). In comparison with Osios Loukas Nea Moni mosaics contain more figures, detail, landscape and setting.
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Question: Where is the Nea Moni Monastery located? Question: Who established the Nea Moni Monastery? Question: When was the Nea Moni Monastery established? Question: When was the mosaic at the Nea Moni Monastery destroyed? Question: The Nea Moni mosaics are more detailed than what what other famous mosaics?
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gq: Another great undertaking by Constantine Monomachos was the restoration of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem between 1042 and 1048. Nothing survived of the mosaics which covered the walls and the dome of the edifice but the Russian abbot Daniel, who visited Jerusalem in 1106–1107 left a description: "Lively mosaics of the holy prophets are under the ceiling, over the tribune. The altar is surmounted by a mosaic image of Christ. In the main altar one can see the mosaic of the Exhaltation of Adam. In the apse the Ascension of Christ. The Annunciation occupies the two pillars next to the altar."
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Question: Who restored the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in the 1040's? Question: What survives of the mosaics that adorned the walls and dome of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre? Question: Who left the only description of the mosaics at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre? Question: Where did the Russian abbot Daniel travel in 1106-07?
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gq: The 9th- and 10th-century mosaics of the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople are truly classical Byzantine artworks. The north and south tympana beneath the dome was decorated with figures of prophets, saints and patriarchs. Above the principal door from the narthex we can see an Emperor kneeling before Christ (late 9th or early 10th century). Above the door from the southwest vestibule to the narthex another mosaic shows the Theotokos with Justinian and Constantine. Justinian I is offering the model of the church to Mary while Constantine is holding a model of the city in his hand. Both emperors are beardless – this is an example for conscious archaization as contemporary Byzantine rulers were bearded. A mosaic panel on the gallery shows Christ with Constantine Monomachos and Empress Zoe (1042–1055). The emperor gives a bulging money sack to Christ as a donation for the church.
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Question: When were the Byzantine mosaics of the Hagia Sophia created? Question: The tympana under the dome had images of whom displayed? Question: Who was depicted with the Empress Zoe on a panel in the gallery of the Hagia Sophia? Question: When did the Empress Zoe die? Question: What does the Empress give to Christ as depicted by the mosaic?
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gq: There are very few existing mosaics from the Komnenian period but this paucity must be due to accidents of survival and gives a misleading impression. The only surviving 12th-century mosaic work in Constantinople is a panel in Hagia Sophia depicting Emperor John II and Empress Eirene with the Theotokos (1122–34). The empress with her long braided hair and rosy cheeks is especially capturing. It must be a lifelike portrayal because Eirene was really a redhead as her original Hungarian name, Piroska shows. The adjacent portrait of Emperor Alexios I Komnenos on a pier (from 1122) is similarly personal. The imperial mausoleum of the Komnenos dynasty, the Pantokrator Monastery was certainly decorated with great mosaics but these were later destroyed. The lack of Komnenian mosaics outside the capital is even more apparent. There is only a "Communion of the Apostles" in the apse of the cathedral of Serres.
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Question: Why are there so few surviving mosaics from the Komnenian period? Question: Where is the only existing 12th century mosaic in Constantinople? Question: What deity does the 12th century mosaic in the Hagia Sophia depict? Question: The empress Eirene had what color hair? Question: The only surviving mosaic from the Komnenos dynasty outside Constantinople is in what church?
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gq: A striking technical innovation of the Komnenian period was the production of very precious, miniature mosaic icons. In these icons the small tesserae (with sides of 1 mm or less) were set on wax or resin on a wooden panel. These products of extraordinary craftmanship were intended for private devotion. The Louvre Transfiguration is a very fine example from the late 12th century. The miniature mosaic of Christ in the Museo Nazionale at Florence illustrates the more gentle, humanistic conception of Christ which appeared in the 12th century.
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Question: How big were the tesserae in the Komnenian period miniature mosaic icons? Question: What were the tesserae usually set in for miniature mosaic icons? Question: What was the intended purpose of the miniature mosaic icons? Question: The more humanistic conception of Christ appeared when?
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gq: The Church of the Holy Apostles in Thessaloniki was built in 1310–14. Although some vandal systematically removed the gold tesserae of the background it can be seen that the Pantokrator and the prophets in the dome follow the traditional Byzantine pattern. Many details are similar to the Pammakaristos mosaics so it is supposed that the same team of mosaicists worked in both buildings. Another building with a related mosaic decoration is the Theotokos Paregoritissa Church in Arta. The church was established by the Despot of Epirus in 1294–96. In the dome is the traditional stern Pantokrator, with prophets and cherubim below.
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Question: When was the Church of the Holy Apostles built? Question: Who removed the gold tesserae in the background of the mosaic at the Church of the Holy Apostles? Question: The same team of mosaicists worked on the Church of the Holy Apostles in Thessaloniki as which other building? Question: Where is the Theotokos Paregoritissa Church located? Question: Who established the Theotokos Paregoritissa Church in 1294-96?
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gq: The greatest mosaic work of the Palaeologan renaissance in art is the decoration of the Chora Church in Constantinople. Although the mosaics of the naos have not survived except three panels, the decoration of the exonarthex and the esonarthex constitute the most important full-scale mosaic cycle in Constantinople after the Hagia Sophia. They were executed around 1320 by the command of Theodore Metochites. The esonarthex has two fluted domes, specially created to provide the ideal setting for the mosaic images of the ancestors of Christ. The southern one is called the Dome of the Pantokrator while the northern one is the Dome of the Theotokos. The most important panel of the esonarthex depicts Theodore Metochites wearing a huge turban, offering the model of the church to Christ. The walls of both narthexes are decorated with mosaic cycles from the life of the Virgin and the life of Christ. These panels show the influence of the Italian trecento on Byzantine art especially the more natural settings, landscapes, figures.
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Question: where is the greatest mosaic work of the renaissance? Question: How many mosaic panels from naos have survived? Question: The panels of naos are only capped in importance by which other location? Question: Who commissioned the mosaics at naos? Question: The panels from naos show what influence on Byzantine art.
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gq: The last great period of Roman mosaic art was the 12th–13th century when Rome developed its own distinctive artistic style, free from the strict rules of eastern tradition and with a more realistic portrayal of figures in the space. Well-known works of this period are the floral mosaics of the Basilica di San Clemente, the façade of Santa Maria in Trastevere and San Paolo fuori le Mura. The beautiful apse mosaic of Santa Maria in Trastevere (1140) depicts Christ and Mary sitting next to each other on the heavenly throne, the first example of this iconographic scheme. A similar mosaic, the Coronation of the Virgin, decorates the apse of Santa Maria Maggiore. It is a work of Jacopo Torriti from 1295. The mosaics of Torriti and Jacopo da Camerino in the apse of San Giovanni in Laterano from 1288–94 were thoroughly restored in 1884. The apse mosaic of San Crisogono is attributed to Pietro Cavallini, the greatest Roman painter of the 13th century. Six scenes from the life of Mary in Santa Maria in Trastevere were also executed by Cavallini in 1290. These mosaics are praised for their realistic portrayal and attempts of perspective. There is an interesting mosaic medaillon from 1210 above the gate of the church of San Tommaso in Formis showing Christ enthroned between a white and a black slave. The church belonged to the Order of the Trinitarians which was devoted to ransoming Christian slaves.
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Question: When was the last period of Roman mosaic art? Question: Where is the church of Santa maria? Question: Who does the facade at the Santa Maria church depict? Question: When were the mosaics at Torriti and Jacopo fully restored? Question: What year was the medallion above the gate of the church of San Tommaso?
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gq: The great Navicella mosaic (1305–1313) in the atrium of the Old St. Peter's is attributed to Giotto di Bondone. The giant mosaic, commissioned by Cardinal Jacopo Stefaneschi, was originally situated on the eastern porch of the old basilica and occupied the whole wall above the entrance arcade facing the courtyard. It depicted St. Peter walking on the waters. This extraordinary work was mainly destroyed during the construction of the new St. Peter's in the 17th century. Navicella means "little ship" referring to the large boat which dominated the scene, and whose sail, filled by the storm, loomed over the horizon. Such a natural representation of a seascape was known only from ancient works of art.
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Question: Who created the Navicella mosaic in the Old St. Peter's church? Question: Who commissioned the Navicella mosaic? Question: Who did the navicella mosaic depict walking on water? Question: What century was the majority of the Navicella mosaic destroyed? Question: Navicella means what in Italian?
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gq: The heyday of mosaic making in Sicily was the age of the independent Norman kingdom in the 12th century. The Norman kings adopted the Byzantine tradition of mosaic decoration to enhance the somewhat dubious legality of their rule. Greek masters working in Sicily developed their own style, that shows the influence of Western European and Islamic artistic tendencies. Best examples of Sicilian mosaic art are the Cappella Palatina of Roger II, the Martorana church in Palermo and the cathedrals of Cefalù and Monreale.
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Question: when was the height of mosaic art in sicily? Question: Who adopted the Byzantine mosaic tradition? Question: Why did the Normans adopt a Byzantine art style? Question: Who was influenced by Western European and Islamic tendencies? Question: The Martorana church is an example of the best mosaic art in what part italy?
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gq: The Martorana church (decorated around 1143) looked originally even more Byzantine although important parts were later demolished. The dome mosaic is similar to that of the Cappella Palatina, with Christ enthroned in the middle and four bowed, elongated angels. The Greek inscriptions, decorative patterns, and evangelists in the squinches are obviously executed by the same Greek masters who worked on the Cappella Palatina. The mosaic depicting Roger II of Sicily, dressed in Byzantine imperial robes and receiving the crown by Christ, was originally in the demolished narthex together with another panel, the Theotokos with Georgios of Antiochia, the founder of the church.
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Question: When was the Martorana church decorated? Question: Who is featured in the mosaic at the Martorana church? Question: The Martorana church was likely decorated by the same greek masters who decorated which church? Question: Who is receiving a crown from christ in the mosaic originally in the narthex? Question: Who was the founder of the Martorana church?
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gq: The Monreale mosaics constitute the largest decoration of this kind in Italy, covering 0,75 hectares with at least 100 million glass and stone tesserae. This huge work was executed between 1176 and 1186 by the order of King William II of Sicily. The iconography of the mosaics in the presbytery is similar to Cefalu while the pictures in the nave are almost the same as the narrative scenes in the Cappella Palatina. The Martorana mosaic of Roger II blessed by Christ was repeated with the figure of King William II instead of his predecessor. Another panel shows the king offering the model of the cathedral to the Theotokos.
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Question: What is the name of the largest mosaics in Italy? Question: At least how many tesserae are used in the the Monreale mosaics? Question: Who commissioned the Monreale mosaics between 1176 and 1186? Question: Who is displayed getting crowned by christ in the Monreale mosaics? Question: What is the king offering Theotokos in the Monreale mosaics?
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gq: Southern Italy was also part of the Norman kingdom but great mosaics did not survive in this area except the fine mosaic pavement of the Otranto Cathedral from 1166, with mosaics tied into a tree of life, mostly still preserved. The scenes depict biblical characters, warrior kings, medieval beasts, allegories of the months and working activity. Only fragments survived from the original mosaic decoration of Amalfi's Norman Cathedral. The mosaic ambos in the churches of Ravello prove that mosaic art was widespread in Southern Italy during the 11th–13th centuries.
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Question: What region of italy was part of the Norman empire? Question: The only surviving mosaic from Norman held souther Italy is what? Question: What year were the mosaic pavements installed at the Otranto Cathedral? Question: What survives from the mosaics of Amalfi's Norman Cathedral? Question: The mosaics in churches of Ravello prove what?
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gq: In parts of Italy, which were under eastern artistic influences, like Sicily and Venice, mosaic making never went out of fashion in the Middle Ages. The whole interior of the St Mark's Basilica in Venice is clad with elaborate, golden mosaics. The oldest scenes were executed by Greek masters in the late 11th century but the majority of the mosaics are works of local artists from the 12th–13th centuries. The decoration of the church was finished only in the 16th century. One hundred and ten scenes of mosaics in the atrium of St Mark's were based directly on the miniatures of the Cotton Genesis, a Byzantine manuscript that was brought to Venice after the sack of Constantinople (1204). The mosaics were executed in the 1220s.
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Question: Which area in Italy besides Sicily did mosaic art not go out of fashion in the middle ages? Question: Which church in Venice is decorated with elaborate golden mosaics? Question: When were the oldest scenes in St. Mark's mosaics completed? Question: The majority of the mosaics in Venice were created by who? Question: When was the sack of Constantinople?
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gq: Other important Venetian mosaics can be found in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta in Torcello from the 12th century, and in the Basilical of Santi Maria e Donato in Murano with a restored apse mosaic from the 12th century and a beautiful mosaic pavement (1140). The apse of the San Cipriano Church in Murano was decorated with an impressive golden mosaic from the early 13th century showing Christ enthroned with Mary, St John and the two patron saints, Cipriano and Cipriana. When the church was demolished in the 19th century, the mosaic was bought by Frederick William IV of Prussia. It was reassembled in the Friedenskirche of Potsdam in the 1840s.
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Question: Where is the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta? Question: When were the mosaics in the Cathedral of Santa Maria Assunta built? Question: Where is the Basilica of Santi Maria e Donato located? Question: Who purchased the 13th century mosaic from the the San Cipriano Church? Question: Where did Frederick William IV relocate the mural he purchased?
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gq: The Abbot of Monte Cassino, Desiderius sent envoys to Constantinople some time after 1066 to hire expert Byzantine mosaicists for the decoration of the rebuilt abbey church. According to chronicler Leo of Ostia the Greek artists decorated the apse, the arch and the vestibule of the basilica. Their work was admired by contemporaries but was totally destroyed in later centuries except two fragments depicting greyhounds (now in the Monte Cassino Museum). "The abbot in his wisdom decided that great number of young monks in the monastery should be thoroughly initiated in these arts" – says the chronicler about the role of the Greeks in the revival of mosaic art in medieval Italy.
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Question: Who hired Byzantine experts to decorate a rebuilt abbey church? Question: After what time did the Abbot of Monte Cassino send for Byzantine mosaicists? Question: What animal was on the only surviving mosaics created by the greeks at the rebuilt abbey? Question: Where are the only remaining greek mosaic panels now kept?
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gq: Sometimes not only church interiors but façades were also decorated with mosaics in Italy like in the case of the St Mark's Basilica in Venice (mainly from the 17th–19th centuries, but the oldest one from 1270–75, "The burial of St Mark in the first basilica"), the Cathedral of Orvieto (golden Gothic mosaics from the 14th century, many times redone) and the Basilica di San Frediano in Lucca (huge, striking golden mosaic representing the Ascension of Christ with the apostles below, designed by Berlinghiero Berlinghieri in the 13th century). The Cathedral of Spoleto is also decorated on the upper façade with a huge mosaic portraying the Blessing Christ (signed by one Solsternus from 1207).
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Question: What was special about St Mark's Basilica in Venice? Question: When was the latest addition to the facade at St Mark's Basilica in Venice? Question: the Cathedral of Orvieto has a mosaic facade, done first in which century? Question: the Basilica di San Frediano in Lucca has a large golden mosaic facade depicting which figure? Question: The Cathedral of Spoleto is signed by who?
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gq: Only scant remains prove that mosaics were still used in the Early Middle Ages. The Abbey of Saint-Martial in Limoges, originally an important place of pilgrimage, was totally demolished during the French Revolution except its crypt which was rediscovered in the 1960s. A mosaic panel was unearthed which was dated to the 9th century. It somewhat incongruously uses cubes of gilded glass and deep green marble, probably taken from antique pavements. This could also be the case with the early 9th century mosaic found under the Basilica of Saint-Quentin in Picardy, where antique motifs are copied but using only simple colors. The mosaics in the Cathedral of Saint-Jean at Lyon have been dated to the 11th century because they employ the same non-antique simple colors. More fragments were found on the site of Saint-Croix at Poitiers which might be from the 6th or 9th century.
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Question: What proves mosaics were used in the early middle ages? Question: Where is the Abbey of Saint-Martial? Question: When was the crypt of the Abbey of Saint-Martial re-discovered? Question: What was found under the Basilica of Saint-Quentin? Question: What common element do mosaic panels from the 11th century have?
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gq: Later fresco replaced the more labor-intensive technique of mosaic in Western-Europe, although mosaics were sometimes used as decoration on medieval cathedrals. The Royal Basilica of the Hungarian kings in Székesfehérvár (Alba Regia) had a mosaic decoration in the apse. It was probably a work of Venetian or Ravennese craftsmen, executed in the first decades of the 11th century. The mosaic was almost totally destroyed together with the basilica in the 17th century. The Golden Gate of the St. Vitus Cathedral in Prague got its name from the golden 14th-century mosaic of the Last Judgement above the portal. It was executed by Venetian craftsmen.
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Question: What would replace the labor intensive technique of mosaic? Question: Where is the Royal Basilica of the Hungarian kings? Question: What is the Royal Basilica of the Hungarian kings also known as? Question: When was the the mosaic at the Royal Basilica of Hungarian Kings destroyed? Question: Who created the Last judgement mosaic in the St. Vitus Cathedral?
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gq: The Crusaders in the Holy Land also adopted mosaic decoration under local Byzantine influence. During their 12th-century reconstruction of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem they complemented the existing Byzantine mosaics with new ones. Almost nothing of them survived except the "Ascension of Christ" in the Latin Chapel (now confusingly surrounded by many 20th-century mosaics). More substantial fragments were preserved from the 12th-century mosaic decoration of the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem. The mosaics in the nave are arranged in five horizontal bands with the figures of the ancestors of Christ, Councils of the Church and angels. In the apses the Annunciation, the Nativity, Adoration of the Magi and Dormition of the Blessed Virgin can be seen. The program of redecoration of the church was completed in 1169 as a unique collaboration of the Byzantine emperor, the king of Jerusalem and the Latin Church.
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Question: What nation influenced the Crusaders mosaic styles? Question: Where is the Church of the Holy Sepulchre located? Question: What is the name of the lone surviving mosaic of the Crusader period? Question: Where is the mosaic "Ascension of Christ" located? Question: The Byzantine emperor, the king of Jerusalem and the Latin Church came together in what year to redecorate the Church of the Holy Sepulchre?
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gq: In 2003, the remains of a mosaic pavement were discovered under the ruins of the Bizere Monastery near the River Mureş in present-day Romania. The panels depict real or fantastic animal, floral, solar and geometric representations. Some archeologists supposed that it was the floor of an Orthodox church, built some time between the 10th and 11th century. Other experts claim that it was part of the later Catholic monastery on the site because it shows the signs of strong Italianate influence. The monastery was situated that time in the territory of the Kingdom of Hungary.
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Question: when were mosaic pavements uncovered at the Bizere Monastery? Question: Where would the Bizere Monastery be located today? Question: When were the mosaics at Bizere Monastery created? Question: In what kingdom was the Bizere Monastery located?
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gq: The mosaics of St. Peter's often show lively Baroque compositions based on designs or canvases from like Ciro Ferri, Guido Reni, Domenichino, Carlo Maratta, and many others. Raphael is represented by a mosaic replica of this last painting, the Transfiguration. Many different artists contributed to the 17th- and 18th-century mosaics in St. Peter's, including Giovanni Battista Calandra, Fabio Cristofari (died 1689), and Pietro Paolo Cristofari (died 1743). Works of the Fabbrica were often used as papal gifts.
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Question: The mosaics of St.Peter's are often based on what? Question: How is Raphael portrayed in St. Peter's? Question: What was the name of the painting used to represent raphael in St. Peter's? Question: What year did Pietro Paolo Cristofari die? Question: What was the art of the Fabbrica usually used for?
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gq: The single most important piece of Byzantine Christian mosaic art in the East is the Madaba Map, made between 542 and 570 as the floor of the church of Saint George at Madaba, Jordan. It was rediscovered in 1894. The Madaba Map is the oldest surviving cartographic depiction of the Holy Land. It depicts an area from Lebanon in the north to the Nile Delta in the south, and from the Mediterranean Sea in the west to the Eastern Desert. The largest and most detailed element of the topographic depiction is Jerusalem, at the center of the map. The map is enriched with many naturalistic features, like animals, fishing boats, bridges and palm trees
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Question: What is the most important mosaic piece built by Byzantine Christians? Question: When was the the Madaba Map made? Question: Where is the church of Saint George? Question: When was the Madaba Map rediscovered? Question: The Madaba Map depicts as far South as the Nile delta, and as far North as what country?
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gq: Important Justinian era mosaics decorated the Saint Catherine's Monastery on Mount Sinai in Egypt. Generally wall mosaics have not survived in the region because of the destruction of buildings but the St. Catherine's Monastery is exceptional. On the upper wall Moses is shown in two panels on a landscape background. In the apse we can see the Transfiguration of Jesus on a golden background. The apse is surrounded with bands containing medallions of apostles and prophets, and two contemporary figure, "Abbot Longinos" and "John the Deacon". The mosaic was probably created in 565/6.
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Question: What era were the mosaics that adorned Saint Catherine's Monastery? Question: Where is Saint Catherine's Monastery located? Question: Why have wall mosaics generally not survived in the region? Question: Who is depicted in Saint Catherine's Monastery on a mosaic landscape background? Question: When was the mosaic at Saint Catherine's Monastery created?
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gq: Jerusalem with its many holy places probably had the highest concentration of mosaic-covered churches but very few of them survived the subsequent waves of destructions. The present remains do not do justice to the original richness of the city. The most important is the so-called "Armenian Mosaic" which was discovered in 1894 on the Street of the Prophets near Damascus Gate. It depicts a vine with many branches and grape clusters, which springs from a vase. Populating the vine's branches are peacocks, ducks, storks, pigeons, an eagle, a partridge, and a parrot in a cage. The inscription reads: "For the memory and salvation of all those Armenians whose name the Lord knows." Beneath a corner of the mosaic is a small, natural cave which contained human bones dating to the 5th or 6th centuries. The symbolism of the mosaic and the presence of the burial cave indicates that the room was used as a mortuary chapel.
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Question: Which city had the highest percentage of mosaic covered churches? Question: When was the Armenian Mosaic re-discovered? Question: Where was the Armenian Mosaic found in Jerusalem? Question: What type of plant is depicted in the Armenian Mosaic? Question: What was the room under the Armenian Mosaic used for?
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gq: An exceptionally well preserved, carpet-like mosaic floor was uncovered in 1949 in Bethany, the early Byzantine church of the Lazarium which was built between 333 and 390. Because of its purely geometrical pattern, the church floor is to be grouped with other mosaics of the time in Palestine and neighboring areas, especially the Constantinian mosaics in the central nave at Bethlehem. A second church was built above the older one during the 6th century with another more simple geometric mosaic floor.
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Question: Where would the Byzantine church of the Lazarium be located today? Question: When was the Byzantine church of the Lazarium constructed? Question: The mosaic at the Byzantine church of the Lazarium most closely resembles mosaics from which area? Question: A church was built on top of the Byzantine church of the Lazarium in waht century?
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gq: The monastic communities of the Judean Desert also decorated their monasteries with mosaic floors. The Monastery of Martyrius was founded in the end of the 5th century and it was re-discovered in 1982–85. The most important work of art here is the intact geometric mosaic floor of the refectory although the severely damaged church floor was similarly rich. The mosaics in the church of the nearby Monastery of Euthymius are of later date (discovered in 1930). They were laid down in the Umayyad era, after a devastating earthquake in 659. Two six pointed stars and a red chalice are the most important surviving features.
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Question: The churches of which desert decorated their monasteries with mosaics? Question: When was the Monastery of Martyrius created? Question: When was the Monastery of Martyrius re-discovered? Question: Where in the Monastery of Martyrius is the most important mosaic work? Question: What was the name of the monastery that was discovered in 1930?
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gq: Mosaic art also flourished in Christian Petra where three Byzantine churches were discovered. The most important one was uncovered in 1990. It is known that the walls were also covered with golden glass mosaics but only the floor panels survived as usual. The mosaic of the seasons in the southern aisle is from this first building period from the middle of the 5th century. In the first half of the 6th century the mosaics of the northern aisle and the eastern end of the southern aisle were installed. They depict native as well as exotic or mythological animals, and personifications of the Seasons, Ocean, Earth and Wisdom.
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Question: How many Christian churches have been found in the Christian Petra? Question: When was the most important Byzantine church re-discovered? Question: What type of mosaics were present in the church discovered in 1990? Question: What century was the oldest known mosaic at the church discovered in 1990? Question: The scenes depicted on the mosaics were both native and what kind of mythological animals?
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gq: The mosaics of the Church of St Stephen in ancient Kastron Mefaa (now Umm ar-Rasas) were made in 785 (discovered after 1986). The perfectly preserved mosaic floor is the largest one in Jordan. On the central panel hunting and fishing scenes are depicted while another panel illustrates the most important cities of the region. The frame of the mosaic is especially decorative. Six mosaic masters signed the work: Staurachios from Esbus, Euremios, Elias, Constantinus, Germanus and Abdela. It overlays another, damaged, mosaic floor of the earlier (587) "Church of Bishop Sergius." Another four churches were excavated nearby with traces of mosaic decoration.
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Question: Where would the Church of St Stephen be located today? Question: When were the mosaics in the Church of St Stephen created? Question: When were the mosaics in the Church of St Stephen re-discovered? Question: The mosaic floor in the Church of St Stephen is the largest in what country? Question: How many artists signed the frame of the mosaic at the Church of St Stephen?
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gq: The craft has also been popular in early medieval Rus, inherited as part of the Byzantine tradition. Yaroslav, the Grand Prince of the Kievan Rus' built a large cathedral in his capital, Kiev. The model of the church was the Hagia Sophia in Constantinople, and it was also called Saint Sophia Cathedral. It was built mainly by Byzantine master craftsmen, sent by Constantine Monomachos, between 1037 and 1046. Naturally the more important surfaces in the interior were decorated with golden mosaics. In the dome we can see the traditional stern Pantokrator supported by angels. Between the 12 windows of the drum were apostles and the four evangelists on the pendentives. The apse is dominated by an orant Theotokos with a Deesis in three medallions above. Below is a Communion of the Apostles.
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Question: Yaroslav held what title in medieval Russia? Question: Where did Yaroslav build his Cathedral? Question: What was used as a model for the church Yaroslav commissioned? Question: What was the name of the church Yaroslav commissioned? Question: Who sent the Byzantine craftsmen that built Yaroslav's cathedral?
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gq: The apse mosaic of the Gelati Monastery is a rare example of mosaic use in Georgia. Began by king David IV and completed by his son Demetrius I of Georgia, the fragmentary panel depicts Theotokos flanked by two archangels. The use of mosaic in Gelati attests to some Byzantine influence in the country and was a demonstration of the imperial ambition of the Bagrationids. The mosaic covered church could compete in magnificence with the churches of Constantinople. Gelati is one of few mosaic creations which survived in Georgia but fragments prove that the early churches of Pitsunda and Tsromi were also decorated with mosaic as well as other, lesser known sites. The destroyed 6th century mosaic floors in the Pitsunda Cathedral have been inspired by Roman prototypes. In Tsromi the tesserae are still visible on the walls of the 7th-century church but only faint lines hint at the original scheme. Its central figure was Christ standing and displaying a scroll with Georgian text.
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Question: In what country is the the Gelati Monastery located? Question: Who started construction on the Gelati Monastery? Question: Who eventually oversaw completion of the Gelati Monastery? Question: Who was the central theme of the mosaics at Tsromi?
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gq: The remains of a 6th-century synagogue have been uncovered in Sepphoris, which was an important centre of Jewish culture between the 3rd–7th centuries and a multicultural town inhabited by Jews, Christians and pagans. The mosaic reflects an interesting fusion of Jewish and pagan beliefs. In the center of the floor the zodiac wheel was depicted. Helios sits in the middle, in his sun chariot, and each zodiac is matched with a Jewish month. Along the sides of the mosaic are strips depicting Biblical scenes, such as the binding of Isaac, as well as traditional rituals, including a burnt sacrifice and the offering of fruits and grains.
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Question: The remains of what was found at Sepphoris? Question: Who were the primary inhabitants of Sepphoris in the 3rd through 7th centuries? Question: The mosaic found at Sepphoris display a mix of Jewish and which beliefs? Question: What figure is dominant in the mosaic at Sepphoris? Question: What surrounds Helios in the mosaic at Sepphoris?
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gq: The synagogue in Eshtemoa (As-Samu) was built around the 4th century. The mosaic floor is decorated with only floral and geometric patterns. The synagogue in Khirbet Susiya (excavated in 1971–72, founded in the end of the 4th century) has three mosaic panels, the eastern one depicting a Torah shrine, two menorahs, a lulav and an etrog with columns, deer and rams. The central panel is geometric while the western one is seriously damaged but it has been suggested that it depicted Daniel in the lion’s den. The Roman synagogue in Ein Gedi was remodeled in the Byzantine era and a more elaborate mosaic floor was laid down above the older white panels. The usual geometric design was enriched with birds in the center. It includes the names of the signs of the zodiac and important figures from the Jewish past but not their images suggesting that it served a rather conservative community.
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Question: When was the synagogue in Eshtemoa constructed? Question: What patterns are present on the mosaic at the synagogue in Eshtemoa? Question: When was the synagogue in Khirbet Susiya re-discovered? Question: How many panels are in the synagogue in Khirbet Susiya? Question: What do the images at synagogue in Khirbet Susiya suggest about the communities views?
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gq: The ban on figurative depiction was not taken so seriously by the Jews living in Byzantine Gaza. In 1966 remains of a synagogue were found in the ancient harbour area. Its mosaic floor depicts King David as Orpheus, identified by his name in Hebrew letters. Near him were lion cubs, a giraffe and a snake listening to him playing a lyre. A further portion of the floor was divided by medallions formed by vine leaves, each of which contains an animal: a lioness suckling her cub, a giraffe, peacocks, panthers, bears, a zebra and so on. The floor was paved in 508/509. It is very similar to that of the synagogue at Maon (Menois) and the Christian church at Shellal, suggesting that the same artist most probably worked at all three places.
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Question: In Byzantine Gaza, Jews were relaxed on what ban? Question: Where were ancient remains of a synagogue found in 1966? Question: The mosaic found in 1966 depicts who as the central figure? Question: What is the central figure doing in the mosaic found in 1966? Question: When was the mosaic floor constructed?
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gq: A 5th-century building in Huldah may be a Samaritan synagogue. Its mosaic floor contains typical Jewish symbols (menorah, lulav, etrog) but the inscriptions are Greek. Another Samaritan synagogue with a mosaic floor was located in Bet She'an (excavated in 1960). The floor had only decorative motifs and an aedicule (shrine) with cultic symbols. The ban on human or animal images was more strictly observed by the Samaritans than their Jewish neighbours in the same town (see above). The mosaic was laid by the same masters who made the floor of the Beit Alfa synagogue. One of the inscriptions was written in Samaritan script.
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Question: A 5th-century building in Huldah is believed to be what? Question: What does the mosaic at Huldah contain? Question: What language are the inscriptions on the mosaic at Huldah? Question: The synagogue located in Bet She'an had what kind of symbols depicted in its mosaic? Question: The masters who built the floor in the synagogue at Bet She'an also constructed what other mosaic?
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gq: Islamic architecture used mosaic technique to decorate religious buildings and palaces after the Muslim conquests of the eastern provinces of the Byzantine Empire. In Syria and Egypt the Arabs were influenced by the great tradition of Roman and Early Christian mosaic art. During the Umayyad Dynasty mosaic making remained a flourishing art form in Islamic culture and it is continued in the art of zellige and azulejo in various parts of the Arab world, although tile was to become the main Islamic form of wall decoration.
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Question: Who conquered the Eastern Provinces of the Byzantine empire? Question: In Syria and Egypt, other than early Christians, who influenced their mosaic work? Question: The Umayyad Dynasty made mosaic making do what in the Islamic culture? Question: What would later become the main Islamic form of wall decoration?
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gq: The most important early Islamic mosaic work is the decoration of the Umayyad Mosque in Damascus, then capital of the Arab Caliphate. The mosque was built between 706 and 715. The caliph obtained 200 skilled workers from the Byzantine Emperor to decorate the building. This is evidenced by the partly Byzantine style of the decoration. The mosaics of the inner courtyard depict Paradise with beautiful trees, flowers and small hill towns and villages in the background. The mosaics include no human figures, which makes them different from the otherwise similar contemporary Byzantine works. The biggest continuous section survives under the western arcade of the courtyard, called the "Barada Panel" after the river Barada. It is thought that the mosque used to have the largest gold mosaic in the world, at over 4 m2. In 1893 a fire damaged the mosque extensively, and many mosaics were lost, although some have been restored since.
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Question: Where is the most important Islamic mosaic work? Question: Where is the the Umayyad Mosque located? Question: What was the significance of Damascus during this time period? Question: What is the largest section of mosaic still present in the Umayyad Mosque? Question: What happened in 1893 that destroyed most of the mosaics in the mosque?
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gq: Non-religious Umayyad mosaic works were mainly floor panels which decorated the palaces of the caliphs and other high-ranking officials. They were closely modeled after the mosaics of the Roman country villas, once common in the Eastern Mediterranean. The most superb example can be found in the bath house of Hisham's Palace, Palestine which was made around 744. The main panel depicts a large tree and underneath it a lion attacking a deer (right side) and two deers peacefully grazing (left side). The panel probably represents good and bad governance. Mosaics with classical geometric motifs survived in the bath area of the 8th-century Umayyad palace complex in Anjar, Lebanon. The luxurious desert residence of Al-Walid II in Qasr al-Hallabat (in present-day Jordan) was also decorated with floor mosaics that show a high level of technical skill. The best preserved panel at Hallabat is divided by a Tree of Life flanked by "good" animals on one side and "bad" animals on the other. Among the Hallabat representations are vine scrolls, grapes, pomegranates, oryx, wolves, hares, a leopard, pairs of partridges, fish, bulls, ostriches, rabbits, rams, goats, lions and a snake. At Qastal, near Amman, excavations in 2000 uncovered the earliest known Umayyad mosaics in present-day Jordan, dating probably from the caliphate of Abd al-Malik ibn Marwan (685–705). They cover much of the floor of a finely decorated building that probably served as the palace of a local governor. The Qastal mosaics depict geometrical patterns, trees, animals, fruits and rosettes. Except for the open courtyard, entrance and staircases, the floors of the entire palace were covered in mosaics.
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Question: Any mosaic having secular designs were likely what? Question: What were the floor panels of the caliphs and high ranking officials modeled after? Question: Where can the most superb example of Umayyad mosaic floor paneling? Question: In which present day country would the residence of Al-Walid II in Qasr al-Hallabat be? Question: At Qastal in 2000 the earliest examples of what were found in Jordan?
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gq: Some of the best examples of later Islamic mosaics were produced in Moorish Spain. The golden mosaics in the mihrab and the central dome of the Great Mosque in Corduba have a decidedly Byzantine character. They were made between 965 and 970 by local craftsmen, supervised by a master mosaicist from Constantinople, who was sent by the Byzantine Emperor to the Umayyad Caliph of Spain. The decoration is composed of colorful floral arabesques and wide bands of Arab calligraphy. The mosaics were purported to evoke the glamour of the Great Mosque in Damascus, which was lost for the Umayyad family.
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Question: Where are some of the best examples of islamic mosaic work found? Question: The mosaics in the Great Mosque in Corduba have what kind of style? Question: When were the mosaics in the Great Mosque in Corduba created? Question: Who created the mosaics in the Great Mosque in Corduba? Question: Who sent the master mosaicist to Spain?
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gq: Noted 19th-century mosaics include those by Edward Burne-Jones at St Pauls within the Walls in Rome. Another modern mosaic of note is the world's largest mosaic installation located at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis, located in St. Louis, Missouri. A modern example of mosaic is the Museum of Natural History station of the New York City Subway (there are many such works of art scattered throughout the New York City subway system, though many IND stations are usually designed with bland mosaics.) Another example of mosaics in ordinary surroundings is the use of locally themed mosaics in some restrooms in the rest areas along some Texas interstate highways.
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Question: Edward Burne-Jones is noted for creating mosaics in what century? Question: The Cathedral Basilica of St. Louis holds the largest what? Question: Which station in the NYC subway has a modern example of mosaic? Question: What along texas interstate Highways contains everyday examples of mosaics?
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gq: In styles that owe as much to videogame pixel art and popculture as to traditional mosaic, street art has seen a novel reinvention and expansion of mosaic artwork. The most prominent artist working with mosaics in street art is the French Invader. He has done almost all his work in two very distinct mosaic styles, the first of which are small "traditional" tile mosaics of 8 bit video game character, installed in cities across the globe, and the second of which are a style he refers to as "Rubikcubism", which uses a kind of dual layer mosaic via grids of scrambled Rubik's Cubes. Although he is the most prominent, other street and urban artists do work in Mosaic styles as well.
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Question: What has recently seen an expansion of mosaic artwork? Question: Who is the most famous street artist who works with mosaics? Question: What does the French Invader usually create with the traditional style of mosaic? Question: The French invader coined his own style of mosaic named what? Question: How does the French Invader create "Rubikcubism" styled mosaics?
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gq: Portuguese pavement (in Portuguese, Calçada Portuguesa) is a kind of two-tone stone mosaic paving created in Portugal, and common throughout the Lusosphere. Most commonly taking the form of geometric patterns from the simple to the complex, it also is used to create complex pictorial mosaics in styles ranging from iconography to classicism and even modern design. In Portuguese-speaking countries, many cities have a large amount of their sidewalks and even, though far more occasionally, streets done in this mosaic form. Lisbon in particular maintains almost all walkways in this style.
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Question: Portuguese pavement is known by what other name? Question: What is Portuguese pavement? Question: What is the most common pattern for Portuguese pavement? Question: What other cityscape is done with Portuguese pavement? Question: Which city has almost all of its sidewalks in Portuguese pavement?
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gq: The indirect method of applying tesserae is often used for very large projects, projects with repetitive elements or for areas needing site specific shapes. Tiles are applied face-down to a backing paper using an adhesive, and later transferred onto walls, floors or craft projects. This method is most useful for extremely large projects as it gives the maker time to rework areas, allows the cementing of the tiles to the backing panel to be carried out quickly in one operation and helps ensure that the front surfaces of the mosaic tiles and mosaic pieces are flat and in the same plane on the front, even when using tiles and pieces of differing thicknesses. Mosaic murals, benches and tabletops are some of the items usually made using the indirect method, as it results in a smoother and more even surface.
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Question: The indirect method also helped for projects with what kinds of areas? Question: How were larger mosaics usually constructed? Question: Why was adding a step i production useful for larger projects? Question: What besides benches and tabletops was usually created using the indirect method? Question: What is the style called of putting tessere on a backing paper?
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gq: The double indirect method can be used when it is important to see the work during the creation process as it will appear when completed. The tesserae are placed face-up on a medium (often adhesive-backed paper, sticky plastic or soft lime or putty) as it will appear when installed. When the mosaic is complete, a similar medium is placed atop it. The piece is then turned over, the original underlying material is carefully removed, and the piece is installed as in the indirect method described above. In comparison to the indirect method, this is a complex system to use and requires great skill on the part of the operator, to avoid damaging the work. Its greatest advantage lies in the possibility of the operator directly controlling the final result of the work, which is important e.g. when the human figure is involved. This method was created in 1989 by Maurizio Placuzzi and registered for industrial use (patent n. 0000222556) under the name of his company, Sicis International Srl, now Sicis The Art Mosaic Factory Srl.
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Question: When is the double indirect method of mosaic useful? Question: What is used as a backing adhesive for the double indirect method besides putty or paper? Question: What is the most powerful aspect of the double indirect method? Question: When was the double indirect method invented? Question: Who invented the double indirect method?
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gq: A tile mosaic is a digital image made up of individual tiles, arranged in a non-overlapping fashion, e.g. to make a static image on a shower room or bathing pool floor, by breaking the image down into square pixels formed from ceramic tiles (a typical size is 1 in × 1 in (25 mm × 25 mm), as for example, on the floor of the University of Toronto pool, though sometimes larger tiles such as 2 in × 2 in (51 mm × 51 mm) are used). These digital images are coarse in resolution and often simply express text, such as the depth of the pool in various places, but some such digital images are used to show a sunset or other beach theme.
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Question: How should the tiles be aligned next to each other? Question: Where is the most common application of tile mosaics? Question: What is the typical size of a ceramic mosaic tile? Question: What is usually the purpose of a tile mosaic in pools?
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gq: With high cost of labor in developed countries, production automation has become increasingly popular. Rather than being assembled by hand, mosaics designed using computer aided design (CAD) software can be assembled by a robot. Production can be greater than 10 times faster with higher accuracy. But these "computer" mosaics have a different look than hand-made "artisanal" mosaics. With robotic production, colored tiles are loaded into buffers, and then the robot picks and places tiles individually according to a command file from the design software.
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Question: Why has production automation become popular? Question: Which software can aid in the design of robotically created mosaics? Question: How much faster is automated creation over handmade? Question: What is not the same between hand made and robotic amde mosaics? Question: How does the robot pick the tiles it places?
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gq: The original Latin word "universitas" refers in general to "a number of persons associated into one body, a society, company, community, guild, corporation, etc." At the time of the emergence of urban town life and medieval guilds, specialised "associations of students and teachers with collective legal rights usually guaranteed by charters issued by princes, prelates, or the towns in which they were located" came to be denominated by this general term. Like other guilds, they were self-regulating and determined the qualifications of their members.
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Question: From what language does Universitas come from? Question: Around the beginning of what two things did word universitas start to become prevalent? Question: Which individuals usually approved charters for universitas? Question: What did a universitas have in common with similar guilds?
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gq: An important idea in the definition of a university is the notion of academic freedom. The first documentary evidence of this comes from early in the life of the first university. The University of Bologna adopted an academic charter, the Constitutio Habita, in 1158 or 1155, which guaranteed the right of a traveling scholar to unhindered passage in the interests of education. Today this is claimed as the origin of "academic freedom". This is now widely recognised internationally - on 18 September 1988, 430 university rectors signed the Magna Charta Universitatum, marking the 900th anniversary of Bologna's foundation. The number of universities signing the Magna Charta Universitatum continues to grow, drawing from all parts of the world.
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Question: In terms of academics what is a core requirement of a university? Question: What was the first university? Question: What charter is said to be the first establishing academic freedom in a university? Question: What did the Constitutio Habita say students were allowed? Question: On what date was the Magna Carta Universitatum signed?
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gq: European higher education took place for hundreds of years in Christian cathedral schools or monastic schools (scholae monasticae), in which monks and nuns taught classes; evidence of these immediate forerunners of the later university at many places dates back to the 6th century. The earliest universities were developed under the aegis of the Latin Church by papal bull as studia generalia and perhaps from cathedral schools. It is possible, however, that the development of cathedral schools into universities was quite rare, with the University of Paris being an exception. Later they were also founded by Kings (University of Naples Federico II, Charles University in Prague, Jagiellonian University in Kraków) or municipal administrations (University of Cologne, University of Erfurt). In the early medieval period, most new universities were founded from pre-existing schools, usually when these schools were deemed to have become primarily sites of higher education. Many historians state that universities and cathedral schools were a continuation of the interest in learning promoted by monasteries.
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Question: What is a scholae monasticae? Question: Who presided over classes at a scholae monasticae? Question: In the chronology of academic institutions, where are Christian cathedral schools compared to universities? Question: What church is said to be responsible for the formation of universities? Question: During which era did universities grow out of already extant schools?
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gq: All over Europe rulers and city governments began to create universities to satisfy a European thirst for knowledge, and the belief that society would benefit from the scholarly expertise generated from these institutions. Princes and leaders of city governments perceived the potential benefits of having a scholarly expertise develop with the ability to address difficult problems and achieve desired ends. The emergence of humanism was essential to this understanding of the possible utility of universities as well as the revival of interest in knowledge gained from ancient Greek texts.
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Question: Why did rulers and governments in Europe form universities? Question: What type of governments were involved in creating universities? Question: What outlook developed the creation of the university system? Question: Which ancient texts began to see more study after universities were formed?
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gq: The rediscovery of Aristotle's works–more than 3000 pages of it would eventually be translated –fuelled a spirit of inquiry into natural processes that had already begun to emerge in the 12th century. Some scholars believe that these works represented one of the most important document discoveries in Western intellectual history. Richard Dales, for instance, calls the discovery of Aristotle's works "a turning point in the history of Western thought." After Aristotle re-emerged, a community of scholars, primarily communicating in Latin, accelerated the process and practice of attempting to reconcile the thoughts of Greek antiquity, and especially ideas related to understanding the natural world, with those of the church. The efforts of this "scholasticism" were focused on applying Aristotelian logic and thoughts about natural processes to biblical passages and attempting to prove the viability of those passages through reason. This became the primary mission of lecturers, and the expectation of students.
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Question: Roughly how many pages of the works of Aristotle were translated by the 12th century? Question: Richard Dales believes that the work of Aristotle represents the turning point of what? Question: What language did 12th century scholars studying Aristotle speak in? Question: What word described the early attempts to understand the work of Aristotle? Question: What faculty did scholars attempt to use to prove the thoughts of Aristotle?
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