Look at all this art!!!!

Medieval ArtStyles from the Middle East and Africa meshed with this time period (400-1300 AD). The medieval period encompasses eight major artistic movements : Byzantine, Islamic, Vikings, Carolingian, Celtic, Atonian, Romanesque, and Gothic art. Christianity was also flourishing around Europe when Constantine declared Christianity tolerated. Constantine's Byzantine relied on trade and stability. Catholicism reflected art of the east, though emerged in the west. Because of Christian belief, artists avoided three dimensional sculptures and stuck with one dimensional representations. Religions mosaics and frescoes appeared in medieval churches and cathedrals. Tessellated art reflected Islam, the Vikings had migratory art and wood and metal art. The Vikings are known for their golden brooches, with a geometric arrangement of gems. Emperor Charlemagne funded the construction of churches and encouraged the depictions of the human form. He spread literacy among his nobles, which led to the appearance of the Carolingian minuscule script. These manuscripts were covered in precious jewels and metals. The illuminated manuscripts were used for their daily activities, universities and monasteries. The Anglo-Saxon obsession with animal art influenced Celtic styles in the 7th century. Gothic Art Gothic art was first seen in cathedrals, having emerged out of France. In architecture drew inspiration from the Romanesque style. Romanesque cathedrals were low and wide, while Gothics were tall and flood with natural light. Ribbed vault, flying buttress, and pointed arch were the main identifying factors. France's cathedral of St. Dennis served as a burial place for every king. It is believed to be the first Gothic construction ever made. The art took on a naturalistic style, stain glass were introduced into churches for the first time. Flowers and geometrical design paint the windows. Sculpted saintly figures were used as columns, and illuminated manuscripts holds much evidence of these arts. By the end of the 14th century, the invention of the printing press more light-weight, compact, and accessible. The Book of Hours featured original illustrations and historical scenes. Gothic art was highly symbolic: Christ as a lamb. A gentle and innocent heart of a lamb is chosen to represent Christ. RenaissanceIt was the time of rebirth, exploration, and flourishing of the arts. Between the 14th and 16th century, a new age would bring Europe out of the dark period. It took place mainly in Italy but had massive influence. Knowledge and personal responsibility were the main points of this age. Linear perspective and the play of the light and dark tones of a painting were characteristics. It began as a literary movement, and it was quickly picked up by the arts, science, and math. New understanding of perspective made paintings sophisticated and deep. The Church was one of the most powerful forces of Europe asked artists to make sculptures and architecture. Using antiquity as a backdrop, artists began blending Greek and Roman symbols into Christian art. The Medici family became the most powerful dynasty in the region, and they commissioned hundreds of paintings. Leonardo was intelligent and his knowledge of anatomy, the stars, mechanics allowed him to paint powerful paintings. 

OMG! Mesoamerica!!!!

1. How does the speaker define the area that is "Mesoamerica"? 

Tiwam defines Mesoamerica as Mexico and Central America.
2. How did the topography of Mesoamerica impact civilizations?

In the center of Mesoamerica, there are high plateaus and mountains, whereas surrounding it would be lower elevation sloping to the sea. Topography was important because the lowlands and highlands produced different trade items that helped Mesoamerica prosper as a whole.
3. What goods were produced in the highlands and lowlands?

The highlands produced obsidian, and the lowlands, they produced seashells and feathers.
4. Why was is so difficult to move goods in Mesoamerica?

There were no navigable rivers, no beasts of burden, and no large domesticated animals making it difficult to move goods.
5. What accomplishments can we credit the Olmecs with?

The Olmecs had phenomenal sculptures (huge carved heads), they had ceremonial complexes (pyramids), and was the first to play basketball essentially. The Olmecs had two calendars, a solar one and a lunar one.
6. Describe the Olmec calendar system.

The solar calendar had 365 days, while the lunar only had 260 days.
7. What was the purpose of Olmec pyramids?

The purpose to to be able to hold ceremonies.
8. How were Mayan pyramids different than Olmec pyramids?

Mayan pyramids were steep and narrow compared to other pyramids.
9. Why was Mayan history "lost" at the time of contact?

Though the Mayans collapsed around 900, they were still present, but they abandoned many ceremonial sites. By the time the Spaniards arrived, the Mayans couldn't read the inscriptions on their temples.
10. How does she say that the Aztecs were different than other Mesoamericans?

The Aztecs were the most successful expansionists, they would enforce a harsh tribute system, and conquered from the Pacific coast to the Caribbean.
11. What was the purpose of the tribute systems of the Aztecs?

The tribute system aided in the growth of the population, as they conquered more and more people, the tribute system allowed them to add even more people.
12. Describe the Aztec creation myth. 

They believed that the world had been created and destroyed four times before their lives, and in the fifth, called the fifth sun, the gods met to create something out of the darkness. They asked one god to throw himself into the fire so the world could be created, but the god was a coward. So they asked a lesser god to sacrifice himself; ashamed, the first god also threw himself in. One by one the gods threw themselves into the fire and the sun and the moon and the universe rose.
13. How was sacrifice of women different than men?

Women usually danced at the base of the pyramid and then beheaded, while the men were taken to the altar and pierced in the heart with an obsidian blade,