praj-17/QA-MCQ-Open-ended huggingface dataset:
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: when were mosaic pavements uncovered at the Bizere Monastery? 

answer: 2003

question: Where would the Bizere Monastery be located today? 

answer: Romania

question: When were the mosaics at Bizere Monastery created? 

answer: between the 10th and 11th century

question: In what kingdom was the Bizere Monastery located? 

answer: Hungary
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: How is Raphael portrayed in St. Peter's? 

answer: by a mosaic replica of this last painting

question: What year did Pietro Paolo Cristofari die? 

answer: 1743

question: What was the art of the Fabbrica usually used for? 

answer: papal gifts

question: What was the name of the painting used to represent raphael in St. Peter's? 

answer: Transfiguration

question: The mosaics of St.Peter's are often based on what? 

answer: designs or canvases
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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

question: What is the most important mosaic piece built by Byzantine Christians? 

answer: the Madaba Map

question: When was the the Madaba Map made? 

answer: between 542 and 570

question: Where is the church of Saint George? 

answer: Madaba, Jordan

question: When was the Madaba Map rediscovered?  

answer: 1894

question: The Madaba Map depicts as far South as the Nile delta, and as far North as what country? 

answer: Lebanon
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: What era were the mosaics that adorned Saint Catherine's Monastery? 

answer: Justinian

question: Where is Saint Catherine's Monastery located? 

answer: Mount Sinai in Egypt

question: Why have wall mosaics generally not survived in the region? 

answer: the destruction of buildings

question: Who is depicted in Saint Catherine's Monastery on a mosaic landscape background?  

answer: Moses

question: When was the mosaic at Saint Catherine's Monastery created? 

answer: in 565/6
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: Which city had the highest percentage of mosaic covered churches? 

answer: Jerusalem

question: Where was the Armenian Mosaic found in Jerusalem? 

answer: near Damascus Gate

question: What type of plant is depicted in the Armenian Mosaic? 

answer: a vine with many branches

question: When was the Armenian Mosaic re-discovered? 

answer: 1894

question: What was the room under the Armenian Mosaic used for? 

answer: mortuary chapel
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: Where would the Byzantine church of the Lazarium be located today? 

answer: Bethany

question: When was the Byzantine church of the Lazarium constructed? 

answer: between 333 and 390

question: The mosaic at the Byzantine church of the Lazarium most closely resembles mosaics from which area? 

answer: Palestine

question: A church was built on top of the Byzantine church of the Lazarium in waht century? 

answer: the 6th
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: The churches of which desert decorated their monasteries with mosaics? 

answer: the Judean

question: When was the Monastery of Martyrius created? 

answer: the end of the 5th century

question: When was the Monastery of Martyrius re-discovered? 

answer: in 1982–85

question: Where in the Monastery of Martyrius is the most important mosaic work? 

answer: the refectory

question: What was the name of the monastery that was discovered in 1930? 

answer: Monastery of Euthymius
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: How many Christian churches have been found in the Christian Petra? 

answer: three

question: When was the most important Byzantine church re-discovered? 

answer: in 1990

question: What type of mosaics were present in the church discovered in 1990? 

answer: only the floor panels

question: What century was the oldest known mosaic at the church discovered in 1990? 

answer: the 5th

question: The scenes depicted on the mosaics were both native and what kind of mythological animals? 

answer: exotic
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: Where would the Church of St Stephen be located today? 

answer: Umm ar-Rasas

question: When were the mosaics in the Church of St Stephen created? 

answer: in 785

question: When were the mosaics in the Church of St Stephen re-discovered? 

answer: 1986

question: The mosaic floor in the Church of St Stephen is the largest in what country? 

answer: Jordan

question: How many artists signed the frame of the mosaic at the Church of St Stephen? 

answer: Six
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: Yaroslav held what title in medieval Russia? 

answer: Grand Prince of the Kievan Rus'

question: Where did Yaroslav build his Cathedral? 

answer: Kiev

question: What was used as a model for the church Yaroslav commissioned? 

answer: the Hagia Sophia

question: What was the name of the church Yaroslav commissioned? 

answer: Saint Sophia Cathedral

question: Who sent the Byzantine craftsmen that built Yaroslav's cathedral? 

answer: Constantine Monomachos
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: In what country is the the Gelati Monastery located? 

answer: Georgia

question: Who started construction on the Gelati Monastery? 

answer: king David IV

question: Who eventually oversaw completion of the Gelati Monastery? 

answer: Demetrius I of Georgia

question: Who was the central theme of the mosaics at Tsromi? 

answer: Christ
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: The remains of what was found at Sepphoris? 

answer: a 6th-century synagogue

question: Who were the primary inhabitants of Sepphoris in the 3rd through 7th centuries? 

answer: Jews

question: The mosaic found at Sepphoris display a mix of Jewish and which beliefs? 

answer: pagan

question: What figure is dominant in the mosaic at Sepphoris? 

answer: Helios

question: What surrounds Helios in the mosaic at Sepphoris? 

answer: a Jewish month
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: When was the synagogue in Eshtemoa constructed? 

answer: around the 4th century

question: What patterns are present on the mosaic at the synagogue in Eshtemoa? 

answer: only floral and geometric

question: When was the synagogue in Khirbet Susiya re-discovered? 

answer: in 1971–72

question: How many panels are in the synagogue in Khirbet Susiya? 

answer: three

question: What do the images at synagogue in Khirbet Susiya suggest about the communities views? 

answer: rather conservative
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: In Byzantine Gaza, Jews were relaxed on what ban? 

answer: figurative depiction

question: Where were ancient remains of a synagogue found in 1966? 

answer: in the ancient harbour area

question: The mosaic found in 1966 depicts who as the central figure? 

answer: King David as Orpheus

question: What is the central figure doing in the mosaic found in 1966? 

answer: playing a lyre

question: When was the mosaic floor constructed? 

answer: in 508/509
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: A 5th-century building in Huldah is believed to be what? 

answer: a Samaritan synagogue

question: What does the mosaic at Huldah contain? 

answer: typical Jewish symbols

question: What language are the inscriptions on the mosaic at Huldah? 

answer: Greek

question: The synagogue located in Bet She'an had what kind of symbols depicted in its mosaic? 

answer: cultic

question: The masters who built the floor in the synagogue at Bet She'an also constructed what other mosaic? 

answer: the floor of the Beit Alfa synagogue
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: Who conquered the Eastern Provinces of the Byzantine empire? 

answer: Muslim

question: What would later become the main Islamic form of wall decoration? 

answer: tile

question: In Syria and Egypt, other than early Christians, who influenced their mosaic work? 

answer: Roman

question: The Umayyad Dynasty made mosaic making do what in the Islamic culture? 

answer: remained a flourishing art form
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: Where is the most important Islamic mosaic work? 

answer: the Umayyad Mosque

question: Where is the the Umayyad Mosque located? 

answer: Damascus

question: What was the significance of Damascus during this time period? 

answer: capital of the Arab Caliphate

question: What is the largest section of mosaic still present in the Umayyad Mosque? 

answer: the "Barada Panel"

question: What happened in 1893 that destroyed most of the mosaics in the mosque? 

answer: a fire
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: Any mosaic having secular designs were likely what? 

answer: floor panels

question: What were the floor panels of the caliphs and high ranking officials modeled after? 

answer: Roman country villas

question: Where can the most superb example of Umayyad mosaic floor paneling? 

answer: the bath house of Hisham's Palace

question: In which present day country would the residence of Al-Walid II in Qasr al-Hallabat be? 

answer: Jordan

question: At Qastal in 2000 the earliest examples of what were found in Jordan? 

answer: Umayyad mosaics
Title: Mosaic
Context: 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.

question: Where are some of the best examples of islamic mosaic work found? 

answer: Moorish Spain

question: The mosaics in the Great Mosque in Corduba have what kind of style? 

answer: Byzantine

question: Who sent the master mosaicist to Spain? 

answer: the Byzantine Emperor

question: When were the mosaics in the Great Mosque in Corduba created? 

answer: between 965 and 970

question: Who created the mosaics in the Great Mosque in Corduba? 

answer: local craftsmen