porphyry
Volcanic rock, embedded crystals
Porphyry is a type of igneous rock containing large crystals embedded in a fine-grained matrix, giving it a distinctive speckled appearance.
The rock was prized in antiquity for decorative use—columns, monuments, and imperial sarcophagi were carved from it.
The name extends to similar rocks with any color of matrix, though the classic variety is deep purple-red: porphyry columns from ancient Egypt.
Igneous rock, quartz-rich
- basaltFine-grained volcanic stone
- feldsparSilicate mineral group
- igneousFormed from cooled magma
- intrusiveInvading others' privacy
crystalline · groundmass · texture · quarry · Egyptian · imperial · red · polished
Male ruler of empire
- RomeItaly's capital city
- ByzantineOf Constantinople's civilization
- ConstantinopleHistoric Turkish metropolis
- dynastySuccessive family rulers
sarcophagus · throne · regalia · Augustus · Justinian · royalty · sovereignty · prestige
Small five-petaled wildflower
- magentaVivid purplish-red hue
- reddishSlightly crimson in hue
- speckledDotted with small marks
- mottledHaving irregular color patches
variegated · crimson · wine · imperial · royal · Egyptian · decorative · polished
Vertical structural element
- pedestalSupport for statuary
- facadeDeceptive outward appearance
- claddingOuter protective layer
- veneerDecorative outer layer
slab · basin · fountain · pavement · inlay · revetment · Hagia Sophia · Pantheon
Plotinus's systematic mystical metaphysics
- AristotleGreek founder of formal logic
- categoriesGroups of related things
- logicScience of valid reasoning
- vegetarianismAbstaining from flesh consumption
allegory · commentator · emanation · henosis · theurgy · metaphysics · ascent · nous
granite
Igneous rock, quartz-rich
intrusive · crystalline · groundmass · texture · quarry · Egyptian · imperial · red · polished · decorative
emperor
Male ruler of empire
- RomeItaly's capital city
- ByzantineOf Constantinople's civilization
- ConstantinopleHistoric Turkish metropolis
dynasty · sarcophagus · throne · regalia · Augustus · Justinian · royalty · sovereignty · prestige · luxury
violet
Small five-petaled wildflower
mottled · variegated · crimson · wine · imperial · royal · Egyptian · decorative · polished · lustrous
column
Vertical structural element
veneer · slab · basin · fountain · pavement · inlay · revetment · Hagia Sophia · Pantheon · baptistery
Neoplatonism
Plotinus's systematic mystical metaphysics
- AristotleGreek founder of formal logic
- categoriesGroups of related things
- logicScience of valid reasoning
vegetarianism · allegory · commentator · emanation · henosis · theurgy · metaphysics · ascent · nous · abstinence