4 west asian.pdf

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history of architecture3

the cradle of civilization

WEST-ASIAN ARCHITECTURE


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history of architecturediagnosis 16

Mesopotamia

To the east of Egypt another civilization appeared about 3000 BC, that of the Sumerians, the Assyrians and theTigris and Euphrates called Mesopotamia, or the "land between the rivers ".

The characteristics of the Mesopotamian society and the way in which they developed were largely determinerich fertile soil of the area, which was the result of the rich silt and water provided by the Tigris and Euph

Mesopotamia. The rich land meant the creation of food surpluses, which allowed some settlers to move away resulted in the growth of the population that, in turn gave rise to the process of urbanization. Since the land wthe marshes, stone was scarce. It was therefore used carefully and rarely structures were built and rebuilt event

Even whole cities were raised on plinths to counter humidity, which was an overriding factor, well aerated hmaking however excelled primarily due to plentiful alluvial soil. The credit of the modern brick of today, colorbricks goes to this civilization. The binding material was made of gypsum, now beams couldnt be made hendevelopment of the arcuated system.The Sumerian temple was a small brick house that the god was supposed to visit periodically. It was ornamentby the earliest Sumerians in the valley. This house, however, was set on a brick platform, which became largerplatform at Ur (built around 2100 BC) was 150 by 200 feet (45 by 60 meters) and 75 feet (23 meters) high. Thecalled ziggurats, a word derived from the Assyrian ziqquratu, meaning "high". They were symbols in themsewonder. The Ziggurat at Ur was planted with trees to make it represent a mountain.

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These holy mountains were constructed on earth mounds, with plinths of stone and an outer lining of brick.corners face the cardinal directions. Some outstanding ones are that at. Apart from the fortifications and the Zarranged around large and small courts, the rooms narrow and thick walled carrying brick barrel vaults and susually flat outside except where domes protruded. Burnt bricks were used sparingly for facings where specwhitewashed, or, as in the case of the Ziggurats were painted in color. The Mesopotamian doorways were spaWindows were rare square headed and high up the walls, tall doorways normally sufficed to admit light.

The architecture of the Persians was columnar and thus vastly different from the massive arcuated structures conquered. Its light and airy character was due to the nomadic origin of the Persians and climate of their nativethan vaults served for coverings which allowed columns to be slender and graceful, while with their help roomof square proportions rather than elongated as the Mesopotamian brick vaults- demanded. For ceilings, woodecolums supported a covering of clay on a bedding of reeds on logs or planks. The use of double brick walls aswindows just below the ceiling level without their appearing on severe external facades. Stone was plentifusparingly for such as fire temples and palace platforms, for door and window surrounds, rich ornate columns a

clockwise:gateway to the palace of sargon

sity of persopolisishrat gate

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These holy mountains were constructed on earth mounds, with plinths of stone and an outer lining of brick.corners face the cardinal directions. Some outstanding ones are that at. Apart from the fortifications and the Zarranged around large and small courts, the rooms narrow and thick walled carrying brick barrel vaults and susually flat outside except where domes protruded. Burnt bricks were used sparingly for facings where specwhitewashed, or, as in the case of the Ziggurats were painted in color. The Mesopotamian doorways were spaWindows were rare square headed and high up the walls, tall doorways normally sufficed to admit light.

The architecture of the Persians was columnar and thus vastly different from the massive arcuated structures conquered. Its light and airy character was due to the nomadic origin of the Persians and climate of their nativethan vaults served for coverings which allowed columns to be slender and graceful, while with their help roomof square proportions rather than elongated as the Mesopotamian brick vaults- demanded. For ceilings, woodecolums supported a covering of clay on a bedding of reeds on logs or planks. The use of double brick walls aswindows just below the ceiling level without their appearing on severe external facades. Stone was plentifusparingly for such as fire temples and palace platforms, for door and window surrounds, rich ornate columns a

Some highlights were courtyard planning, presence of sunken panels for extra strength, presence of battlemen

The ziggurat continued as the essential temple form of Mesopotamia during the later Assyrian and Babyloniataller and more tower like, perhaps with a spiral path leading up to the temple at the top.

ziggurat

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history of architecturespecimen 19

The Temple Oval at Khafaje

The City of Persepolis

The Ziggurat of Urnammu

It is enclosed in an oval 328' x 230'. Within the oval the arrangement was rectilinear with corners oriented NSEterrace levels the lowest made the forecourt approached through an arched and lowered gateway from the townon one side which was either an executive building or a dwelling for the arch-priest. The second terrace wworkshops and stores. Near its staircase and against the side of the temple terrace, was a sacrificial altar.

The various buildings stand on a platform. They rise 50' above the plane of the base Persepolis also features columns were made of stone and mainly colored.Yet the most striking feature of the city is the excellent relief work done in brick. The bricks used were colored

The Ziggurat of Urnammu is about 20' high. It's base spans 205' x 141. The Ziggurat had a solid core of sun-dpacked with burnt bricks. The Ziggurat was built in normal orientation. It featured three flights of stairs to reac

right: plan of persepolisbelow: aerial view of the city

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City of Khorsabad

Palace of Sargon:

The city was built in by Sargon II. The city planning can be summarized as follows:(i) It contained the next important buildings in Assyria. It was square planned, with a defensive pattern perimmile. Its not entirely occupied by buildings.

(ii) There were two gateways in each tower separated wall, except where the place of one of them on the north

citadel enclosurecontaining all but one of the towns chief buildings, dominating them all is the Palace of Sargon.

(iii) A complex of large and small courts, corridors and rooms, covering 23 acres. Each of the buildthat of the Palace of Sargon reaching to the level of townhalls.

(iv) The main entrance to the palace grand court was flanked by great towers and guarded by man headed bullm high, supporting a bold, semicircular arch decorated with brilliantly colored glazed bricks.

(iv) The main entrance to the palace grand court was flanked by great towers and guarded by man headed bullm high, supporting a bold, semicircular arch decorated with brilliantly colored glazed bricks.

history of architecturespecimen 20

Palace or Sargon, khorsabadreconstruction drawing and plan

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