Part D
Classical Indian Architecture
Chaityas, Vigaras, Stupas and other structures used for religious purposes were classical India’s dominant architectural style. The structures of Classical India were rock-cut into large pieces of rock which mean that they were built into a rock, and they were cut from there to detail the structure. The Rathas in Mahabipuram were one of the most architecturally advanced rock-cut structures in India. The rock cut structures resemble temples, but the rock cut structures are not even or smooth. Instead, the individual rocks are visible, and it is possible to see many different shards of rock. Not all the rocks are even, but they resemble Mesoamerican temples as they have different levels but they are not pyramid-like. Indian structures had pillars and designs on them. Indian architecture was characterized by its emphasis on unique, tiny details. Classical Indian architecture had two styles; Nagara and Dravida. Dravida was the more commonly used style, but Nagara was characterized by curvature of shapes such as the spires on the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple. Dravida was characterized by having small pavilions and a rather square-form. (culturalindian.net/indian-architecture.net)
Chaityas, Vigaras, Stupas and other structures used for religious purposes were classical India’s dominant architectural style. The structures of Classical India were rock-cut into large pieces of rock which mean that they were built into a rock, and they were cut from there to detail the structure. The Rathas in Mahabipuram were one of the most architecturally advanced rock-cut structures in India. The rock cut structures resemble temples, but the rock cut structures are not even or smooth. Instead, the individual rocks are visible, and it is possible to see many different shards of rock. Not all the rocks are even, but they resemble Mesoamerican temples as they have different levels but they are not pyramid-like. Indian structures had pillars and designs on them. Indian architecture was characterized by its emphasis on unique, tiny details. Classical Indian architecture had two styles; Nagara and Dravida. Dravida was the more commonly used style, but Nagara was characterized by curvature of shapes such as the spires on the Kandariya Mahadeva Temple. Dravida was characterized by having small pavilions and a rather square-form. (culturalindian.net/indian-architecture.net)
This picture above shows the Rathas in Mahabalipuram. Many different layers of rock are visible, and there is a small spire at the top. As the Rathas get higher, a different level starts which is just like Mesoamerican architecture. There are some small animal figures surrounding the Rathas, and these were common for Indian architecture since Indian religion praised animals. (culturalindian.net/indian-architecture.net)
This is a Nagara style temple. As you can see, there is a lot of curvature such as in the beam over the entrance, and the top of the structure has a rounded form. There are pillars in the entrance, and a small spire at the top of the temple. Layers of rock are visible as a new level is added as you go up. You can see that the structure is rock-cut and there is a short wall surrounding the temple. (http://www.indianetzone.com/23/nagara_style_architecture.htm
This is a Nagara style temple. As you can see, there is a lot of curvature such as in the beam over the entrance, and the top of the structure has a rounded form. There are pillars in the entrance, and a small spire at the top of the temple. Layers of rock are visible as a new level is added as you go up. You can see that the structure is rock-cut and there is a short wall surrounding the temple. (http://www.indianetzone.com/23/nagara_style_architecture.htm
(above)This structure is of Dravidian style. It has a relatively square base, but it has small pavilions on each level, and it is rather tall in height. The different levels of the structure are visible, and it resembles a thin pyramid on an elevated platform. A small spire is visible at the very top, and the structure is even until the pavilions start. (culturalindia.net)
Classical Greek Architecture
Greek architecture was known for its excellence and the Doric and Ionic orders. It focused on the construction of monumental structures that had no color or designs like Islamic architecture. There were three styles for the tops of columns; Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Stone was the main material used for the construction of Greek structures. The Doric style column was stable and its top was plain and flat. The Ionic style column was thinner but more grand, and its top was decorated with a small scroll design. The Corinthian style column featured a very detailed and high decorated top that had leaf designs. Greek structures such as the Parthenon in Athens featured the Doric order style of architecture. The Temple of Apollo at Didyma was of Ionic order style as its columns were decorated with leaves at the top. The Temple of Zeus at Athens was the most known structure that featured Corinthian order style construction. The classical Greeks constructed many of their structures using pillars for support and a flat roof that lay on the tops of the pillars. Greek architecture emphasized straightness and evenness, and geometric balance. (http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Art/)
Classical Greek Architecture
Greek architecture was known for its excellence and the Doric and Ionic orders. It focused on the construction of monumental structures that had no color or designs like Islamic architecture. There were three styles for the tops of columns; Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Stone was the main material used for the construction of Greek structures. The Doric style column was stable and its top was plain and flat. The Ionic style column was thinner but more grand, and its top was decorated with a small scroll design. The Corinthian style column featured a very detailed and high decorated top that had leaf designs. Greek structures such as the Parthenon in Athens featured the Doric order style of architecture. The Temple of Apollo at Didyma was of Ionic order style as its columns were decorated with leaves at the top. The Temple of Zeus at Athens was the most known structure that featured Corinthian order style construction. The classical Greeks constructed many of their structures using pillars for support and a flat roof that lay on the tops of the pillars. Greek architecture emphasized straightness and evenness, and geometric balance. (http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Art/)
This picture shows the Parthenon in Athens. There are many pillars to support the roof that once covered the Parthenon. The columns appear Doric because they are plain in the designs at the tops of the columns. The Parthenon looks straight and even, and its roof appears triangular. (http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth200/politics/parthenon.html)
This picture shows the Temple of Apollo at Didyma. Most of the pillars that once stood here are gone or depleted. But as you can see, the columns appear Ionic because there is a scroll like design at the tops. The Temple of Apollo is on an elevated base that has stairs all around to get up to the temple. There is a chunk of wall in the back of the temple which was a large room in the temple used for religious worship. The columns are scattered very closely together which meant that they supported a heavy roof. (http://www.destination360.com/europe/turkey/didyma)
This picture shows the Temple of Zeus at Athens, and as you can see, its pillars are Corinthian as they have a very elaborate design at their top. The Temple of Zeus looks small compared to other Greek temples. The temple is supported by not that many pillars, and like the Temple of Apollo, it lies on an elevated base with stairs around it. The columns are the exact same height, and there lies remain on the tops of the columns of a roof that once existed. (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/media/107627/Temple-of-Zeus-Athens)
Roman Architecture
Roman architecture used Greek ideas of architecture with a blend of their own style to form a new architectural style. Romans developed and used arches and vaults to reach success in construction. Romans widely used concrete to build their structures. The arch helped Romans to build aqueducts and other important structures. The Romans developed the dome which was a curved roof that covered a square building. Concrete replaced stone as the main material for construct during the Roman age. Public building and monuments were the main types of structures built in the Roman Empire. The Romans got away from the simplicity of temples that the Greeks followed, and the Romans put roofs on many structures, and they built windows to allow light into buildings, and they built walls in the buildings. Bath houses were constructed and supplied by the aqueducts. (http://www.crystalinks.com/romearchitecture.html
Roman Architecture
Roman architecture used Greek ideas of architecture with a blend of their own style to form a new architectural style. Romans developed and used arches and vaults to reach success in construction. Romans widely used concrete to build their structures. The arch helped Romans to build aqueducts and other important structures. The Romans developed the dome which was a curved roof that covered a square building. Concrete replaced stone as the main material for construct during the Roman age. Public building and monuments were the main types of structures built in the Roman Empire. The Romans got away from the simplicity of temples that the Greeks followed, and the Romans put roofs on many structures, and they built windows to allow light into buildings, and they built walls in the buildings. Bath houses were constructed and supplied by the aqueducts. (http://www.crystalinks.com/romearchitecture.html
This picture shows the Pantheon in Rome. As you can see, the pillars and the triangular roof resemble Greek temples, but what makes this Roman is the dome roof with an opening in the center. The dome on the Pantheon was one of the first domes constructed in Rome. The structure is concrete, and it features a wall to enclose the structure from the inside. (http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Pantheon_Rome_(1).jpg)
This picture shows the Coliseum in Rome. The Coliseum has arches for each level to allow for a balanced weight distribution from level to level. The arches also save material and allow light to enter. The Coliseum is constructed of concrete, and it was one of the first Roman structures to feature the Roman innovation of arches. (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roman_engineering)
This picture shows the Pont du Gard in Provence France. Although it is in France, the Roman Empire stretched well beyond France which is why there is some Classical Roman history in France. The Pont du Gard was one of the main aqueducts that supplied water to Rome. The Pont du Gard features arches to allow for the conservation of concrete, and to build it high. It crosses the Gardon River, and it is part of the Nimes aqueduct that carried water from Uzes, France to Rome. It stands 160 ft. tall, and it had three levels that transported water. (http://fashionmefrench.blogspot.com/2011/01/how-to-get-to-pont-du-gard-from-nimes.html)
Mesoamerican Architecture
Mesoamerican architecture was characterized by pyramids with steps unlike pyramids in Egypt which had no steps. La Vente which was the birthplace of the Olmecs has one of the first pyramids, a pile of earth and clay 100 ft. tall. Pyramids in Mesoamerica are the most recognized architectural structures of that civilization. The pyramids of Mesoamerica had a stepped form similar to Ziggurats in Mesopotamia. At the top of the pyramid was a small temple or religious structure. The Pyramid of the Sun was one of the most important pyramids in Mesoamerica. The biggest pyramid in terms of height was the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl at Cholula. Jade carvings were used to decorate pyramids and other structures. The pyramids were used for ritualistic purposes such as human sacrifice. The different levels of the pyramid are able to be distinguished as they look like rows and rows of steps leading to the top of the pyramid. (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1533823/Mesoamerican-architecture)
Mesoamerican Architecture
Mesoamerican architecture was characterized by pyramids with steps unlike pyramids in Egypt which had no steps. La Vente which was the birthplace of the Olmecs has one of the first pyramids, a pile of earth and clay 100 ft. tall. Pyramids in Mesoamerica are the most recognized architectural structures of that civilization. The pyramids of Mesoamerica had a stepped form similar to Ziggurats in Mesopotamia. At the top of the pyramid was a small temple or religious structure. The Pyramid of the Sun was one of the most important pyramids in Mesoamerica. The biggest pyramid in terms of height was the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl at Cholula. Jade carvings were used to decorate pyramids and other structures. The pyramids were used for ritualistic purposes such as human sacrifice. The different levels of the pyramid are able to be distinguished as they look like rows and rows of steps leading to the top of the pyramid. (http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1533823/Mesoamerican-architecture)
This picture shows the Pyramid of the Sun in Mexico. As you can you, the pyramid is step like as a new level acts like a step. It stands approximately 234 feet high. Thousands of human sacrifices were done at the top of the Pyramid of the Sun during the course of its history. It has four levels or step-like inclinations, and even the steps to the top follow the step like plan as people will walk up a certain amount of steps and then be able to walk even instead of up. (http://richard-seaman.com/Travel/Mexico/Teotihuacan/)
This picture shows the Pyramid of Quetzalcoatl. This was the tallest of the Mesoamerican pyramids. As you can see, this pyramid follows the step like pattern of construction just like other Mesoamerican pyramids. It has 8 levels of step inclination, and it has a flight of stairs to the top on two sides. The top was a shrine where the sacrifices were carried out. (http://www.trekearth.com/gallery/North_America/Mexico/Southeast/Yucatan/Chichen_Itza/photo474103.htm)
Eric Garcia and James Felupe
Eric Garcia and James Felupe