تاريخ العمارة الإقليمية: بابل 8

History of Regional Architecture

• The presentation covers the history of regional architecture, specifically focusing on Babylonian architecture.
• The Babylonian Empire existed from 627 BCE to 539 BCE. Key ruler was Nebuchadnezzar (604-562 BCE).
• Babylon was situated on the Euphrates River, running through the city's center.
• The city's construction was accumulative. Religious complexes were built in the city center, while royal palaces were in the north.
  The city expanded westward, taking on a roughly rectangular shape.
• The outer walls were 6.5 meters wide, and the inner walls, 3.7 meters. Both walls had stepped and recessed sections, with a moat behind them.
• Main streets had perpendicular lines, demonstrating simultaneous construction. They ended in 8 main gates, named after divinities.
• Gates were both functional (defensive) and aesthetically significant. The Ishtar Gate, near the royal palace, was a prominent example.
• A procession route ran through the city, connecting major temples/sanctuaries.
• Three bridges crossed the Euphrates River to connect sections of the city.
• The Ishtar Gate, built by Nebuchadnezzar in 575 BCE, was renowned for its blue glazed bricks, white marble, and colorful tiles.

Babylonian Ziggurat

• The Babylonian ziggurat was built in the 6th century BCE by Nebuchadnezzar in the eastern part of Babylon.
• Situated within a complex of temples, with a fortified wall and towers.
• Overlooked the procession route, Euphrates River, and the temple of Marduk (from the south).
• It was a multi-tiered structure, with each tier smaller than the one below.
• A central and two side staircases ascended. The topmost tier held a temple or shrine.
• The bottom platform was exceptionally large and higher than other tiers, setting it apart for significant formal use in Sumerian and Babylonian architectural designs.
• Its measurements are provided: base approximately 91.55 meters.

Southern Royal Palace in Babylon

• The Southern Royal Palace was aligned with the northern city walls, elevated on a platform (6-7 meters).
• It included five courtyards on a primary central axis.
• The main entrance, bordered by tall towers, lay on the ceremonial procession route.
• The palace layout differed from Assyrian palaces with distinctive multiple courtyards and a central primary axis.
• One courtyard housed palace guards.
• A secondary axis ran perpendicular to the main one, from the north entrance, through a large central courtyard (3rd courtyard) and the throne room (from the south).
• The main courtyard is 60 meters in length, with the throne room facing it from the south through three entrances.
• The palace had over 172 rooms and residences for the royal household and staff.
• A wide (250 meters) and thick (25 meters) building separated the palace from the Euphrates River.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon

• The Hanging Gardens were a terraced structure near the east of Nebuchadnezzar's palace on the eastern bank of the Euphrates, with a height of about 100 meters.
• Its design has similarities to that of the pyramid of Khufu, with fortified walls seven meters thick.
• Water basins were lined in lead, with water supplied from the Euphrates via pumps.

يغطي العرض تاريخ العمارة الإقليمية مع التركيز على العمارة البابلية. من خلال دراسة المدينة القديمة، نكتشف كيفية بناء المدينة وتوسعها، بالإضافة إلى أبوابها الرئيسية ومكانتها الدينية. تبرز الأهمية الجمالية والوظيفية للبوابة إيشتر كنقطة محورية في العمارة البابلية.