West Asiatic Architecture Quiz

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Questions and Answers

Which rivers are known as the 'in between rivers'?

Nile and Amazon

Mississippi and Missouri

Tigris and Euphrates (correct)

Yangtze and Ganges

The fertile crescent is located primarily in Iraq.

True

Name one of the main civilizations that developed in the fertile crescent.

Sumer

The ancient civilization of __________ was located in Northern Iraq and Southeastern Turkey.

Assyria Signup and view all the answers

Match the following civilizations with their locations:

Sumer = From Baghdad to the Persian Gulf Babylon = Iraq Assyria = Northern Iraq and Southeastern Turkey Persia = Western Iran Signup and view all the answers

What type of bricks were used for decorative purposes in ancient Assyria and Babylon?

Color-glazed bricks Signup and view all the answers

Ziggurats were built as open-type buildings due to extreme heat.

False Signup and view all the answers

What building form is typically used in deserts due to the conditions?

Courtyard Signup and view all the answers

The ancient Persians used ______ and colored limestone in their construction.

timber Signup and view all the answers

Match the following architectural features with their purposes or materials:

Sun-dried bricks = Ordinary finish Kiln-dried bricks = Lacing important structures Color-glazed bricks = Decorative purposes King-headed winged lions = Decorations of doorways of palaces Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following structures was built by King Nebuchadnezzar II?

Ishtar Gate Signup and view all the answers

Hammurabi's Code was the first set of written laws in history.

True Signup and view all the answers

Who was the father of the Iranian Nation?

Cyrus the Great Signup and view all the answers

The architectural style used in Babylon and Assyria primarily involved the use of and .

arch, vault Signup and view all the answers

Match the following architects or rulers with their contributions:

Sargon II = Palace of Sargon Xerxes I = Construction of the Palace of Persepolis Artaxerxes I = Finished Hall of the Hundred Columns Nebuchadnezzar II = Ishtar Gate Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following served as the guard room and reception area?

The Treasury Signup and view all the answers

The Hall of the Hundred Columns is also known as The Throne Hall.

True Signup and view all the answers

Who started the construction of the Hall of the Hundred Columns?

Xerxes I Signup and view all the answers

The Treasury served as the _______ and storehouse.

armoury Signup and view all the answers

Match the following Persian rulers with their contributions:

Darius I = The Treasury Xerxes I = Started construction of the Hall of the Hundred Columns Artaxerxes = Finished construction of the Hall of the Hundred Columns Signup and view all the answers

What is a key characteristic of West Asiatic architecture?

Massiveness Signup and view all the answers

Mesopotamia means 'the land of many rivers'.

False Signup and view all the answers

What does the Greek word 'mesos' signify in the context of Mesopotamia?

middle Signup and view all the answers

West Asiatic architecture is also known as ______ architecture.

Mesopotamian Signup and view all the answers

Match the following terms with their descriptions:

Massiveness = Large scale and solid forms Monumentality = Impressive size and scale Gran grandeur = A grand and imposing appearance Mesopotamia = Region between rivers Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Overview of West Asiatic Architecture

Also known as Mesopotamian architecture.
Originates from the region between the Tigris and Euphrates rivers, referred to as "the fertile crescent."

Geographical Significance

"Mesopotamia" translates to "in between rivers" in Greek.
Includes four main civilizations:
- Sumer in Iraq (from Baghdad to Persian Gulf)
- Babylon in Iraq
- Assyria in Northern Iraq and Southeastern Turkey
- Persia in Iran

Geological Materials

Assyria and Babylon:
- Utilized clay for brick-making.
- Developed sun-dried bricks for ordinary constructions.
- Created kiln-dried bricks for significant structures.
- Employed color-glazed bricks for decorative elements.
Persia:
- Employed timber and colored limestone in constructions.

Climatic Adaptations

Assyria & Babylon:
- Built temples on raised platforms to avoid flooding.
- Constructed Ziggurats (stepped towers) to accommodate environmental factors.
Persia:
- Designed open-type buildings to cope with extreme heat.
General design included courtyard forms to suit desert conditions.

Religious and Decorative Elements

Religious architecture featured king-headed winged lions, bulls, and mythical monsters in palace doorway decorations.

Important Historical Figures

Sumer:
- King Ur-Nammu: Known for erecting the Great Ziggurat of Ur.
Babylonia:
- King Nebuchadnezzar II: Builder of significant structures including:
  - The Great Palace of Nebuchadnezzar
  - Ishtar Gate
  - Hanging Garden of Babylon
- King Hammurabi: Authored the first known legal codes in cruciform known as Hammurabi's Code.
Assyria:
- Sargon II: Built the Palace of Sargon in Khorsabad.
- Sennacherib: Established Nineveh as the Assyrian capital.
Persia:
- Cyrus the Great: Renowned as the founder of the Persian Empire.
- Xerxes I: Key constructor of Persepolis; initiated the Hall of the Hundred Columns and Gate of All Nations.
- Artaxerxes I: Completed the Palace of Persepolis and the Hall of the Hundred Columns.

Architectural Differences

Construction Methods:
- Babylon and Assyria: Utilized arches and vaults, with buttressing techniques.
- Persia: Emphasized columnar and trabeated construction.

Notable Building Types

Babylon:
- The Treasury (under Darius I): Functioned as an arsenal and storehouse.
Hall of the Hundred Columns:
- Also known as the Throne Hall, characterized by columns with double bull and unicorn capitals; construction began under Xerxes I and completed by Artaxerxes I.

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Description

Test your knowledge on West Asiatic architecture, also known as Mesopotamian architecture. This quiz covers key concepts such as massiveness, monumentality, and grandeur, as well as the geographical significance of the region known as Mesopotamia, which means 'between rivers'.