The Roman Alphabet | 7th century BC

What was the basis of the Roman uppercase alphabet?
The Romans used a variant of the Greek alphabet as the basis for their uppercase alphabet.What were the purposes of the formal and informal styles of lettering?
A rigid, formal script was used for important manuscripts and official documents.  A quicker, informal style was used for letters and routine types of writing.
Why is the Roman alphabet the most widely used and what contributions did it make?
Serifs originated with the carving of words into stone.  Stones man added little hooks to the tips of letters to prevent the chisel from slipping.  There was also the institution of the baseline in typography and penmanship.  Romans ensured that type was perfectly aligned in rows.  This greatly contributed to type aesthetics.
From where did serifs originate?
Serifs originated with the carving of words into stone.
When and where did lowercase, or minuscule, letters develop?
A small cursive script developed from uncial between the seventh and ninth centuries and used in medieval manuscripts.
What is a ligature and why were they utilized?
A ligature occurs where two or more graphemes are joined as a single glyph.  Ligatures usually replace consecutive characters sharing common components and are part of a more general class of glyphs called "contextual forms".
Post an example of the Roman alphabet in visual form. 

The Greek Alphabet | 800 BC

How did Greeks come in contact with the Phoenicians?
Phoenicians regularly traveled to Greece and established trade agreements with them.
How was the Greek adaptation of the alphabet different from its predecessor?
Several of the consonants were adapted as vowels.  Additional letters were included as well.
Why is the Greek alphabet considered to be the world's first true alphabet?
It has given rise to many other alphabets including the latin alphabet.
Name several similarities and differences between the Greek and modern English alphabets?
Some of the characters in the Greek alphabet are the same as some of the characters in the modern English alphabet.
Post an example of the Greek alphabet in visual form.

The Phoenician Alphabet | 1050 BC

The Phoenician alphabet is based on what principle?
The Phoenician alphabet is based on the principle that one sign represents one spoken sound.
Describe the shape of the letters and what tool created them?
Most of the letters shapes were angular and straight.  The letters were incised with a stylus.
What two reasons made the Phoenician alphabet so successful?
This system contrasted with other scripts at the time which used complex characters and were difficult to learn.  The trading culture of the phoenician merchants spread the use of the alphabet into parts of North Africa and Europe.
What long term effects on the social structures of civilizations did the Phoenicians have with the creation of their alphabet?
There was the first widespread script.  It's simplicity allowed it to be used in multiple languages.  It also allowed common people to learn how to write.  It even disintegrated class divisions between royalty and the common people.Post an example of the Phoenician alphabet in visual form.

Hieroglyphics and the Egyptians | 3,000 BC

In the sixth century BC, what three civilizations invaded Egypt? Egypt was invaded by Persians, Greeks, and Romans.
Post an example of the inside wall(s) of an Ancient Egyptian temple.

What was discovered on the inside of the temples?Inside the temples were carved and painted images on every wall and surface.
Scholars believe that Ancient Egyptians were inspired and influenced by which written language?They were inspired by cuneiform.
What is the difference between logographic and alphabetic elements?Logograms are visual symbols representing ideas or objects.  Alphabetic variations came later as the language evolved into demotic.
The term Hieroglyphic derived from what two Greek words?They derived from hiero, meaning sacred, and glyphic, meaning engraving or writing.
What is a scribe? A scribe was a priest who worked in the temples and could read and write instructions on the walls and papyrus for rituals which were performed to please the gods and goddesses.
Who else was trained to read and write? Why?Military leaders were trained to read and write so they could communicate while in battle.Post an example of hieroglyphics on papyrus.

What is papyrus and how was it made?Papyrus is a substrate made from reeds naitive to Egypt.
What is a substrate?A substrate is a material that provides the surface on which something is deposited or incribed.
What were the Books of the Dead?The Books of the Dead were a set of scrolls for pharoahs and other important egyptians on papyrus that contained instructions and spells to help them find their way to the afterlife.
How did Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphics become a forgotten language?
Those who could read and write hieroglyphics disappeared just after all non-christian temples were ordered closed by Roman emperor Theodosius I.
Post an example of the Rosetta Stone.

What is the Rosetta Stone? Where was it discovered?
A slab with inscriptions written on it in three different languages: Egyptian hieroglyphics, Demotic, and Greek.
What three languages are included on the stone?
Egyptian hieroglyphics, Demotic, and Greek languages are included on the stone.
Why couldn't the text on the Stone be deciphered?
A chunk of the stone was missing and none of the three texts were complete.
Who finally deciphered the text? What was his breakthrough?
A French scholar named Jean Francois Champollion finally deciphered the text.  Champollion's breakthrough came when he was able to match up the hieroglyphic symbols with the greek version of the name Egyptian Pharoah Ramses.
Why does the interpretation of the Rosetta Stone have such significance?
Because of the Rosetta Stone we now know a great deal about the ancient Egyptians and Egyptian hieroglyphics.

Cuneiform and the Sumerians | 3,000 BC

The Sumerians were one of the earliest types of this kind of civilization? What does that mean?
The Sumerians were one of the earliest nomadic civilizations who migrated to Sumer.  It means they moved from one place to another, instead of settling permanently in one location.
Why is the region of Sumer considered the Cradle of Civilization?
It was where cuneiform was created, the world's first written language.
What could the Sumerians practice year round because of the regions climate?
Because of the religious climate, the Sumerians were able to practice year round agriculture.
Post an example of early Cuneiform (Sumerian pictograph).

Why was Cuneiform created?
Cuneiform was created to help keep track of bussiness transactions.
What medium was used to "write" Cuneiform? Explain the process of preparing and writing on this surface?
The medium used to "write" Cuneiform was clay tablets.  They would wet the clay, form it into flat surfaces, use a wedge shaped stylus, made from reeds, to make impressions into the clay surface, and lay the clay tablets in the sun allowing them to dry and harden.
What did Cuneiform begin as a series of?
Cuneiform began as a series of pictographs.
Post an example of evolved Cuneiform (wedge-shaped).

After it evolved over time, what shape did the characters of Cuneiform evolve into?
Cuneiform evolved into a wedge shaped language.
Post an example of Akkadian Cuneiform.

After the Akkadians conquered, what happened to the Sumerian culture and written language?
The Akkadians adopted the Sumerian culture and their written language.
What is a pictograph?
A pictograph is a pictoral or visual representation of an object.
Why did the creation of Cuneiform allow the Sumerians to become a sophisticated culture?
Pictographs became more abstract, the number of characters continued to grow, and cuneiform evolved into a wedge shaped language.

Visual Organization

visual organization-Not directing the audience through a design is misdirecting them!

eye movement-The typical eye moves left to right and top to bottom.  Controlling eye movement within a composition is a matter of directing the natural scanning tendency of the viewers eye.  The eye tends gravitate towards areas of complexity first.  In pictures of people, the eye is always attracted to the face of and particularity of the eye.  Light areas of a composition will attract the eye, especially when adjacent to dark area.  Diagonal lines or edges will guide eye movement.

optical center-The spot where the human eye tends to enter the page.  Optical center is slightly above mathematical (or exact) center and just to the left.  It takes a compelling element to pull your eyes away from this spot.

z pattern-Our visual pattern makes a sweep of the page, generally, in the shape of a "Z".

Font guidelines-Use no more than 2 fonts.  Two fonts have to complement each other.  Avoid all caps.  Choose the right font.  Do not overuse fancy and complementary fonts.  www.typography.com/email/2010_032010_03/index.htm

Cave Paintings | 35,000 years ago

What are cave paintings?
Cave paintings are beautiful, detailed, and colorful representations found on the inside of cave walls and ceilings.
Name several common themes found in cave paintings?
The most common themes are large animals such as bison, horses, deer, tracings of human hands, and abstract patterns.
How were these paintings created (tools, pigments)?
Paints were made from mixing water, plant juice, animal blood, soil charcoal, and hematite, a form of iron oxide.  Brushes were made by putting together sticks, small stones, leaves, and animal hair.
What is the most famous cave painting site? When was it discovered and by whom?Post an example of cave painting(s) from this cave.
The most famous cave painting site is in Lascaux, France.  It was discovered in 1940 by four teenage boys.

Why did this cave have to be closed? What was done to satisfy public curiosity?
It closed because the paintings were being damaged by the carbon dioxide emitted from the tourists.  To satisfy public interest, the French government created Lascaux II, a man-made replica next to the original.Post an example of cave painting(s) from Altamira cave.

In Altamira cave, why do most of the paintings have a red hue?
Most of the paintings have a red hue caused by the red clay in the soil.
Who discovered this site? How old are the paintings confirmed to be?
Altamira was dicovered by Marceline Sanz De Sautuola and his daughter Maria.  The paintings were created 19,000 years ago.
What is the oldest known cave painting site? When was it discovered and by whom?Post an example of cave painting(s) from this cave.
The oldest known cave painting site is Chauvet-Point Arc.  It was discovered in 1994 by three speleologists: Eliette Brunell Deschamps, Christian Hillaire, Jean-Marie Chauvet.

What was different about the painting techniques at this site?
Walls were scraped clear of debris and a 3D effect was created by etching around the edges.
What is "speleology"?
Speleology is the study or exploration of caves.
What three reasons do archeologists and historians believe prehistoric man created cave paintings?
To tell a story or recount an event that already happened.  As an instructional visual aid to help teach about hunting techniques.  Created for magical or religious reasons that if an image of a desired event were painted it might come true.