Brunelleschi studied the ruins of classical architecture to inform his construction of the __________ of the church of Santa Maria de Fiore.

A) dome
B) pointed arches
C) flying buttresses
D) thick cathedral walls
E) vaults

Classical Architecture

An architectural style influenced by the buildings of ancient Greece and Rome, characterized by symmetry, columns, and elaborate decoration.

Flying Buttresses

Architectural features consisting of external supports that transfer the thrust of a vault or roof to support piers, critical in the construction of Gothic cathedrals.

Pointed Arches

Architectural elements with pointed tops, characteristic of Gothic architecture, that allow for taller and more slender structures.