Cities and Settlement in the Assyrian Period

Cities and Settlement in the Assyrian Period

Neo-Assyrians emerged as formidable power (10th century)--> territorial expansion & political consolidation

Reached new levels of size and grandeur, funded by wealth of conquest (to about 600 BC)

3 categories of Assyrian cities: Continuously existing settlement (Assur) Re-founded settlement (Nimrud, Nineveh) New foundation (Khorsabad)

Neo-Assyrians emerged as formidable power (10th century)--> territorial expansion & political consolidation

Reached new levels of size and grandeur, funded by wealth of conquest (to about 600 BC)

3 categories of Assyrian cities: Continuously existing settlement (Assur) Re-founded settlement (Nimrud, Nineveh) New foundation (Khorsabad)

Patterns in regional planning

Patterns in regional planning

Shift toward N. Mesopotamia--> late 10th century Need for agricultural land--> large

populations need sufficient water supply Agricultural surplus possible Greater degree of topographical variation S. Mesopotamia--> flat, less water, not as

much farmable land “Southern versus a northern tradition”

Shift toward N. Mesopotamia--> late 10th century Need for agricultural land--> large

populations need sufficient water supply Agricultural surplus possible Greater degree of topographical variation S. Mesopotamia--> flat, less water, not as

much farmable land “Southern versus a northern tradition”

Intentional avoidance of the high mound settlement? Evidence in one inscription--> Sargon

orders removal from mounds and re-build at bottom

Height reserved for cities of higher rank? Symbolic importance

Intentional avoidance of the high mound settlement? Evidence in one inscription--> Sargon

orders removal from mounds and re-build at bottom

Height reserved for cities of higher rank? Symbolic importance

CITY OF URCITY OF UR

STREET OF UR IN 2100 B.CSTREET OF UR IN 2100 B.C

Patterns in Urban PlanningPatterns in Urban Planning

Characteristics of Neo-Assyria Massive size compared to previous Complex central administration Greater concentration of people Size does not necessarily equal population--

> space devoted to gardens,grazing land, etc.

Location near rivers--> control waterway New urban form--> citadel with closely-

linked temple-palace unit, separated from rest of town by height or walls

Characteristics of Neo-Assyria Massive size compared to previous Complex central administration Greater concentration of people Size does not necessarily equal population--

> space devoted to gardens,grazing land, etc.

Location near rivers--> control waterway New urban form--> citadel with closely-

linked temple-palace unit, separated from rest of town by height or walls

New urban form--> Citadel (Palace/Temple)

New urban form--> Citadel (Palace/Temple)

Palace given increased space--> I.e.. importance Ramp--> bring king to door of his palace,

easier for chariots to rush/defend citadel Temple importance still relevant,

ziggurat’s height still rivals other structures

Symbolic significance--> Close relations between administrative and religious institutions King as high priest, national religion

Palace given increased space--> I.e.. importance Ramp--> bring king to door of his palace,

easier for chariots to rush/defend citadel Temple importance still relevant,

ziggurat’s height still rivals other structures

Symbolic significance--> Close relations between administrative and religious institutions King as high priest, national religion

Khorsabad: A Case studyKhorsabad: A Case study Site not previously built upon Uniquely Built--> continuous sequence Records well kept--> Sargon

King closely involved in process Provincial governor responsible for project Borrowed funds from private lenders Exalts grandeur of project & city

Choice of location (Reasons?): Better Administrative control of Northern fertile land Assert imperial presence Close to Nineveh Water supply--> no more advantage than elsewhere

Site not previously built upon Uniquely Built--> continuous sequence Records well kept--> Sargon

King closely involved in process Provincial governor responsible for project Borrowed funds from private lenders Exalts grandeur of project & city

Choice of location (Reasons?): Better Administrative control of Northern fertile land Assert imperial presence Close to Nineveh Water supply--> no more advantage than elsewhere

Why Khorsabad? No topographical advantage River location not unique

More irregularities (intentional?) Temple of Nabu out of alignment with all

other citadel structures--> planets? Seven gates assymmetrical, uneven/random

locations, no relation to road system outside city

Citadel meets fortification wall at slanted angle

Quadrilateral shape of Khorsabad Most mesopotamian ground plans were square?

Why Khorsabad? No topographical advantage River location not unique

More irregularities (intentional?) Temple of Nabu out of alignment with all

other citadel structures--> planets? Seven gates assymmetrical, uneven/random

locations, no relation to road system outside city

Citadel meets fortification wall at slanted angle

Quadrilateral shape of Khorsabad Most mesopotamian ground plans were square?

cosmological

Mesopotamian tradition of seeing universe as square, reflected in ground plans Neo-Assyrians knowingly reject this, stands

out--> new cosmological meanings for them? New expression of Imperial ideology,

identity, Organization--> unite administrative/religious roles of king

cosmological

Mesopotamian tradition of seeing universe as square, reflected in ground plans Neo-Assyrians knowingly reject this, stands

out--> new cosmological meanings for them? New expression of Imperial ideology,

identity, Organization--> unite administrative/religious roles of king

Cities and settlements in

Cities and settlements in

egyptian peroid egyptian peroid

amarnaamarna

Amarna today was the city of Akhetaten (The Horizon of the Aten). It was created by Egypt's heretic king, Akhenaten for his revolutionary religion that worshiped Aten during the Amarna Period

Amarna today was the city of Akhetaten (The Horizon of the Aten). It was created by Egypt's heretic king, Akhenaten for his revolutionary religion that worshiped Aten during the Amarna Period

Akhetaten lies some 365 miles south of Cairo.

Located on the eastern side of the Nile River.

city and its surrounding property was fixed by copies of decrees carved on fourteen tablets embedded in the cliffs on either side of the river.

Akhetaten lies some 365 miles south of Cairo.

Located on the eastern side of the Nile River.

city and its surrounding property was fixed by copies of decrees carved on fourteen tablets embedded in the cliffs on either side of the river.

City had zoos, gardens and other public buildings.

The area is divided into suburbs, with the so-called "central city" housing the Royal Palace and The Great Temple as well as police station and tax offices.

The record office in the city was setup by the women of the city.

City had zoos, gardens and other public buildings.

The area is divided into suburbs, with the so-called "central city" housing the Royal Palace and The Great Temple as well as police station and tax offices.

The record office in the city was setup by the women of the city.

The Great Temple of the AtenThe Great Temple of the Aten

The Great Aten Temple is on the northern edge of the Central City.

series of bakeries in the south of the temple.

some consolidation and restoration has been carried out at the Small Aten Temple.

The Great Aten Temple is on the northern edge of the Central City.

series of bakeries in the south of the temple.

some consolidation and restoration has been carried out at the Small Aten Temple.

Division of city into two parts

Division of city into two parts

The Main City Sometimes Known as the South Suburb.

* occupied by : the vizier Nakht, the high priest Panehsy,

the priest Pawah, General Ramose, the architect Manekhtawitf and the sculptor Tuthmosis for their residence.

The Main City Sometimes Known as the South Suburb.

* occupied by : the vizier Nakht, the high priest Panehsy,

the priest Pawah, General Ramose, the architect Manekhtawitf and the sculptor Tuthmosis for their residence.

North SuburbNorth Suburb

dominantly inhabited by essentially a middle-class including a strong mercantile component.

apparently the houses were re-inhabited by those who could not afford to travel back to Thebes after the end of the Amarna Period.

dominantly inhabited by essentially a middle-class including a strong mercantile component.

apparently the houses were re-inhabited by those who could not afford to travel back to Thebes after the end of the Amarna Period.

Workmen’s villageWorkmen’s village

At Amarna, the worker's village was located in a lonely spot to the east of the main city.

it was intended for the artisans who worked on the rock-cut tombs located not far from the village.

wall measuring 70 meters square.

At Amarna, the worker's village was located in a lonely spot to the east of the main city.

it was intended for the artisans who worked on the rock-cut tombs located not far from the village.

wall measuring 70 meters square.

roman civilizationroman civilizationIntroduction –The Etruscan were the early settlers of west –central part of Italy. But latter on, the roman occupied the whole part of it. The ancient capital Rome founded near river Tiber was protected by seven surrounding hills. the country is located centrally in Europe and is very mountainous. the romans were not seafaring people and colonists like the Greeks. They did not depend on mere colonization but they conquered first by war and then ruled by law.

Introduction –The Etruscan were the early settlers of west –central part of Italy. But latter on, the roman occupied the whole part of it. The ancient capital Rome founded near river Tiber was protected by seven surrounding hills. the country is located centrally in Europe and is very mountainous. the romans were not seafaring people and colonists like the Greeks. They did not depend on mere colonization but they conquered first by war and then ruled by law.

Roman architecture The architecture of romans was essentially an art of shaping space around rituals. Many structures were utilitarian type such as acqueducts and bridges. the plans were complex in appearance and hidden in design and display in impression of vastness. for example ‘thermae’ ‘amphitheaters’ ‘basilicas’ etc.

Roman architecture The architecture of romans was essentially an art of shaping space around rituals. Many structures were utilitarian type such as acqueducts and bridges. the plans were complex in appearance and hidden in design and display in impression of vastness. for example ‘thermae’ ‘amphitheaters’ ‘basilicas’ etc.

TOWN PLANNINGThe provinces, and above all the western provinces of the Roman Empire, tell us even more than Italy about Roman town planning.

They contain many towns which were founded full-grown, or re-founded and at the same time rebuilt, and which were in either case laid out on the Roman plan. But the modern successors of these towns have rarely kept the network of their ancient streets in recognizable detail. Though walls, gates, temples, baths, palaces, amphitheaters still stand stubbornly erect amidst a flood of modern dwellings, they are but the islands which mark asubmerged area.

TOWN PLANNINGThe provinces, and above all the western provinces of the Roman Empire, tell us even more than Italy about Roman town planning.

They contain many towns which were founded full-grown, or re-founded and at the same time rebuilt, and which were in either case laid out on the Roman plan. But the modern successors of these towns have rarely kept the network of their ancient streets in recognizable detail. Though walls, gates, temples, baths, palaces, amphitheaters still stand stubbornly erect amidst a flood of modern dwellings, they are but the islands which mark asubmerged area.

Timgad Timgad The town of Thamugadi, now Timgad, lay on the northern skirts of Mount Aurès, halfway between Constantine and Biskra and about a hundred miles from

the Mediterranean coast. The town grew. Soon after the middle of the second century it was more than half a mile in width from east to west, and its extent from north to south, The first settlement was smaller. So far as it has been uncovered by French archaeologists—sufficiently for our purpose, though not completely—the 'colonia' of Trajan appears to have been some 29 or 30 acres in extent within the walls and almost square in outline (360 x 390 yds.).

The town of Thamugadi, now Timgad, lay on the northern skirts of Mount Aurès, halfway between Constantine and Biskra and about a hundred miles from

the Mediterranean coast. The town grew. Soon after the middle of the second century it was more than half a mile in width from east to west, and its extent from north to south, The first settlement was smaller. So far as it has been uncovered by French archaeologists—sufficiently for our purpose, though not completely—the 'colonia' of Trajan appears to have been some 29 or 30 acres in extent within the walls and almost square in outline (360 x 390 yds.).

diminished by the space needed for public buildings, though it is not easy to tell how great this space was in the original town. The blocks themselves measured square of 70 Roman feet (23 x 23 yards), and may have contained one, two, three, or even four houses apiece, but they have undergone so many changes that their original arrangements are not at all clear. The streets which divided these blocks were 15 to 16 ft. wide; the two main streets, which ran to the principal gates, were further widened by colonnades and paved with superior flagging. All the streets had well-built sewers beneath them.

diminished by the space needed for public buildings, though it is not easy to tell how great this space was in the original town. The blocks themselves measured square of 70 Roman feet (23 x 23 yards), and may have contained one, two, three, or even four houses apiece, but they have undergone so many changes that their original arrangements are not at all clear. The streets which divided these blocks were 15 to 16 ft. wide; the two main streets, which ran to the principal gates, were further widened by colonnades and paved with superior flagging. All the streets had well-built sewers beneath them.

It was entered by four principal gates, three of which can still be tracedquite clearly, and which stood in the middle of their respective sides; the position of the south gate is doubtful.

STREET PATTERNThe interior of the town was divided by streets

into a chess-board pattern of small square house-blocks; from north to south

there were twelve such blocks and from east to west eleven—not twelve, as is often stated.

STREET PATTERNThe interior of the town was divided by streets

into a chess-board pattern of small square house-blocks; from north to south

there were twelve such blocks and from east to west eleven—not twelve, as is often stated.

GREEK ARCHITECTURE ( 650 BC-30BC)

IT IS DIVIDED INTO TWO MAIN PERIODS .*HELLENIC PERIOD *HELLENISTIC PERIOD

THE HELLENIC PERIOD (650BC-323BC)

THE HELLENIC PERIOD (650BC-323BC)

THE TERM HELLENIC IS USED TO DESCRIBE THE EARLY GREEK CIVILISATION .THE COMBINED INFLUENCEOF EGYPT AND ASSTRIA IN TRACEABLE IN THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF GREEK STYLE

THE TERM HELLENIC IS USED TO DESCRIBE THE EARLY GREEK CIVILISATION .THE COMBINED INFLUENCEOF EGYPT AND ASSTRIA IN TRACEABLE IN THE EARLY DEVELOPMENT OF GREEK STYLE

HELLENISTIC PERIOD (323BC-30BC)

HELLENISTIC PERIOD (323BC-30BC)

THE TRM IS USED TO DESCRIBE THE GREEK CIVILISATION WHEN IT WAS PARTLY INFLUENCED BY MIDDLEEASTERN CULTURE

THE TRM IS USED TO DESCRIBE THE GREEK CIVILISATION WHEN IT WAS PARTLY INFLUENCED BY MIDDLEEASTERN CULTURE

THE ARCHTITECTURE HAD A RELIGIOUS CHARACTER.BUT AFTER4TH CENTURYBC PUBLIC BUILDING BEGAN APPEAR .CIVIC SENSE DEVELOPED TOWN-PLANNING CAME INTO BEING AS EARLY AS IN IN 4TH CENTURY BC

GREEK ARCHITECTURE GREEK ARCHITECTURE

Ancient Greek architecture is best known from its temples, many of which are found throughout the region, mostly as ruins but many substantially intact. The second important type of building that survives all over the Hellenic world is the open-air theatre, with the earliest dating from around 350 BC. Other architectural forms that are still in evidence are the processional gateway (propylon), the public square (agora) surrounded by storied colonnade (stoa), the town council building (bouleuterion), the public monument, the monumental tomb (mausoleum) and the stadium.

Ancient Greek architecture is best known from its temples, many of which are found throughout the region, mostly as ruins but many substantially intact. The second important type of building that survives all over the Hellenic world is the open-air theatre, with the earliest dating from around 350 BC. Other architectural forms that are still in evidence are the processional gateway (propylon), the public square (agora) surrounded by storied colonnade (stoa), the town council building (bouleuterion), the public monument, the monumental tomb (mausoleum) and the stadium.

ancient Greek citiesancient Greek cities

Aenus ATHENS Astacus BARIS CALYDON DILPHE DION

Aenus ATHENS Astacus BARIS CALYDON DILPHE DION

ATHENSATHENS

the leading city of Ancient Greece in the first millennium BC and its cultural Athens is one of the oldest named cities in the world, having been continuously inhabited for at least 7000 years. Situated in southern Europe, Athens became achievements during the 5th century BC laid the foundations of western civilization

the leading city of Ancient Greece in the first millennium BC and its cultural Athens is one of the oldest named cities in the world, having been continuously inhabited for at least 7000 years. Situated in southern Europe, Athens became achievements during the 5th century BC laid the foundations of western civilization

PLANNINGPLANNING Athens grew from its focal point, the

Acropolis, which became the ceremonial center of the city-state, decked with temples including the Parthenon.

It has organic plan.

Propylea, is the main entrance gate at Athens.

Athens grew from its focal point, the Acropolis, which became the ceremonial center of the city-state, decked with temples including the Parthenon.

It has organic plan.

Propylea, is the main entrance gate at Athens.

Agora was the center of Athenian life. Laid out in the 6th century B.C., northwest of the Acropolis, it was a square lined by public buildings, which served Athens' needs for commerce and politics.

The streets of Athens as narrow and tortuous, unpaved, unlighted, and more like a chaos of mud and sewage than even the usual Greek road.

Agora was the center of Athenian life. Laid out in the 6th century B.C., northwest of the Acropolis, it was a square lined by public buildings, which served Athens' needs for commerce and politics.

The streets of Athens as narrow and tortuous, unpaved, unlighted, and more like a chaos of mud and sewage than even the usual Greek road.

Classical AthensClassical Athens

• The placement of buildings were decided on natural factors such as the morphology of the land

• For eg. The theatres were generally built around a slope to provide natural seating.

• The Agora was built over a flat surface.

• The houses were generally placed along the southern slope and part of Acropolis facing the sea.

• The placement of buildings were decided on natural factors such as the morphology of the land

• For eg. The theatres were generally built around a slope to provide natural seating.

• The Agora was built over a flat surface.

• The houses were generally placed along the southern slope and part of Acropolis facing the sea.

Hellenistic Athens(339 BC - 168 BC)Hellenistic Athens(339 BC - 168 BC)

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