Egyptian Architecture Past Paper PDF, EARIST

EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE History of Architecture 1 Ar. Diane A. Jose, MBA DATA PRIVACY NOTICE Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) respects your right to privacy and is committed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information thus has adapted necessary o...

EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE History of Architecture 1 Ar. Diane A. Jose, MBA DATA PRIVACY NOTICE Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute of Science and Technology (EARIST) respects your right to privacy and is committed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information thus has adapted necessary organizational, technical and physical measures to secure it. EARIST is bound to comply with the Data Privacy Act of 2012 (RA 10173), its implementing Rules and Regulations and relevant issuance of the National Privacy Commission. By participating in this video meeting/conference/webinar, you are consenting to our collection (including recording) in accordance with the Privacy Notice. Information is also processed via video conferencing platform Zoom. Please refer to their privacy policy at http://zoom.us/privacy. The information processed: name, email address, your image, video and audio will be used for attendance, documentation, communication and systems administration purposes by authorized individuals of (Department/Office/Unit) organizing the event and other offices authorized to have access. In loving memory of our dear colleague, mentor and a friend… ENGR. EDWIN C. PAMINTUAN December 18, 1963 – October 29, 2022 ”You will be missed, Sir Edwin..” EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE History of Architecture 1 Ar. Diane A. Jose, MBA  As per EARIST Calendar MIDTERM EXAMINATION NOVEMBER 21-26, 2022 MIDTERM EXAMINATION IN ARHISTO1 November 25, 2022 Coverage of Exam: ¨ Prehistoric Architecture ¨ Mesopotamian Architecture ¨ Egyptian Architecture Egypt INFLUENCES Egyptian Architecture INFLUENCES: People PEOPLE ¨ As long ago as 5000 B.C., the Egyptians were a people already highly civilized, and skilled in the arts of peace and war. INFLUENCES: Geography ¨ EGYPT consists of a sandy desert with a strip of fertile country on the banks of the Nile. VALLEY OF THE NILE INFLUENCES: Geography ¨ The narrow valley of the Nile, fertilized by the periodic overflow of the river, was flanked by rocky heights, nearly vertical in many places, which afforded abundance of excellent building stone, while they both isolated the Egyptians and protected them from foreign aggression. INFLUENCES: Geography LAND ¨ At the Delta, however, the valley widened out, with the falling away of these heights, into broad lowlands, from which there was access to the outer world. ¨ The consequence was that Egypt had outlets for her own productions and inlets for those of foreign nations. NILE RIVER INFLUENCES: Geography LAND ¨ At the Delta, however, the valley widened out, with the falling away of these heights, into broad lowlands, from which there was access to the outer world. ¨ The consequence was that Egypt had outlets for her own productions and inlets for those of foreign nations. INFLUENCES: Geography ¨ The possession of the Nile, moreover, was of immense advantage, not only on account of its value as a trade route, and as a means of communication, but also because its waters were the fertilizing agents that made desert sands into fruitful fields. INFLUENCE: GEOGRAPHY It was on the banks of this ancient river that from time immemorial the cities of the Egyptians were naturally placed ; here, therefore, are found the chief remains of the Tombs, Temples, and Pyramids.  INFLUENCES: Geology ¨ In Egypt there existed an abundance of a) limestone in the north, of b) sandstone in the central region, and of c) granite in the south. The latter is principally found near Assuan (Syene), and is called d) syenite. c) b) d) a) INFLUENCES: Climate ¨ The climate is equable and of warm temperature (most Egypt is very dry), snow and frost being wholly unknown, while storm, fog, and even rain are rare, which accounts to a large extent for the good preservation of the temples. INFLUENCES: Climate ¨ Egypt has been said to have but two seasons, spring and summer. ¨ The climate was thus of importance in developing the qualities of the architecture, admitting of simplicity in construction, for though it demanded some protection against heat there was no necessity to provide against inclement weather. INFLUENCES: Religion ¨ The Egyptians attained to a very high degree of learning in astronomy, mathematics, and philosophy; the remains of their literature have been preserved to us in the papyri (papyrus).  Paper made from papyrus was the chief writing material in ancient Egypt, was adopted by the Greeks, and was used extensively in the Roman Empire. It was used not only for the production of books (in roll or scroll form) but also for correspondence and legal documents. INFLUENCES: Religion ¨ The Egyptians were strong believers in a future state; hence their care in the preservation of their dead, and the erection of such everlasting monuments as the Pyramids. INFLUENCES: Social and Political ¨ A vast population was available for employment on public works, the workmen probably receiving no other pay than their food. Thus a state of cheap labour existed which was eminently favourable to the execution of large and important structures. INFLUENCES: Social and Political ¨ During the reign of Rameses II, the captives and foreigners, who had largely increased, were put to enforced labour upon the public works, and in the first chapter of the book of Exodus the natives are said to have viewed with alarm the growing numbers and power of these strangers. ANCIENT EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE Traditionally considered only in relation to their elaborate burial rituals and what is called the “CULT OF THE DEAD”  HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Social Characteristics & Beliefs Architectural Ideas ¨ Ancient Egyptians viewed earthly dwellings as temporary ¨ They paid little attention to house construction ¨ The tomb was seen as a permanent dwelling for the afterlife ¨ Tremendous effort was exerted in tomb construction ¨ The mummified dead body was buried in a stone box called sarcophagus in the tomb  HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Social Characteristics & Beliefs Architectural Ideas ¨ Believed a dead person needs all her/his worldly goods ¨ Tomb usually packed w/ all the treasures of dead person ¨ If anything cannot be provided, it is painted on the walls of the tomb  HISTORICAL BACKGROUND Social Characteristics & Beliefs Architectural Ideas ¨ Tombs also have charms to protect dead person & her/his property ¨ Tomb Dead buried in cities of the dead, called Necropolis located in desert  Ancient Saqqara Necropolis Ancient Thebes Necropolis ARCHITECTURE OF THE CIVILIZATION INTRODUCTION EGYPTIAN PERIOD OLD/EARLY KINGDOM – Tombs (Mastabas and Pyramids) MIDDLE KINGDOM – Mortuary Temples (Rock Cut and Shaft Tombs) NEW KINGDOM – Great Architectural Construction (Temples)  ARCHITECTURE OF THE CIVILIZATION Introduction } During the old Kingdom, the pharaoh and his court lived in Memphis  ARCHITECTURE OF THE CIVILIZATION Introduction } During the old Kingdom, the pharaoh and his court lived in Memphis } When they died they were buried at the Necropolis at Saqqara NECROPOLIS AT SAQQARA  ARCHITECTURE OF THE CIVILIZATION Introduction } During the old Kingdom, the pharaoh and his court lived in Memphis } When they died they were buried at the Necropolis at Saqqara } The earthly dwelling of the ancient Egyptians was seen as temporary and the tomb as a permanent dwelling } Houses were built of temporary materials to last for a lifetime  ARCHITECTURE OF THE CIVILIZATION Introduction } Tombs were most outstanding architectural element of the period } Tombs also serve as the focus for the worship of the dead } The Tomb evolved during the old kingdom from the Mastaba, through the stepped pyramid to the renown ancient Egyptian pyramid  The MASTABA Old/Early kingdom  Early Kingdom MASTABA ¨ The earliest method of burial in ancient Egypt was in shallow pits in the desert ¨ The desert dried the bodies and preserved them ¨ When animals preyed on bodies, the people dug deeper ¨ In the end they built a bench-like structure over graves to create first burial structure called Mastaba  Early Kingdom MASTABA ¨ The name Mastaba is derived from podiums found in the front of traditional houses ¨ In the Old Kingdom, rich and noble person built Mastaba for their burial in the city of the dead ¨ Above ground the Mastaba is a large bench of sun- baked bricks rising 9 meters high ¨ It had a flat top and slanting walls ¨ The earliest royal tombs were decorated with painted patterns in brilliant colors  MASTABA at Al-Faraoun, Saqqara, Egypt MASTABA at Giza, Egypt  Early Kingdom MASTABA ¨ Internally, a Mastaba consist of three parts- a chapel, a Serdab and a burial chamber ¨ The burial chamber was located 30’ below ground ¤ Connected to burial chamber above ground through a shaft ¤ Place for the burial of the dead person  MASTABA CONSTRUCTION access to the well, which was serdab filled after burial statue of the deceased coating: brick wall small chapel for offerings burial chamber vertical well with sarcophagus https://i.pinimg.com/originals/90/8a/1b/908a1b4c39f0e6400c9583bd7555e6a5.png  Early Kingdom MASTABA ¨ The Serdab and Chapel are located above ground ¨ The Serdab is a room where the statue of the dead person is kept ¤ Statue acts as a substitute for body in case it is destroyed  Early Kingdom MASTABA ¨ Egyptians believed that the Ka must return to the body or a copy of it each night ¨ If both body and statue are destroyed, the ka would die ¨ The chapel is where the ka is supposed to live forever ¤ Colorful room meant to deceive the gods into letting the ka enter the next world ¤ false door leading to the land of the dead The Mastaba of Merefnebef (Chapel)  Early Kingdom MASTABA ¨ In the burial chamber, sarcophagus is found where the dead body was placed ¨ The burial chamber is packed with all the necessary things needed in the afterlife ¨ After burial, the shaft to the burial chamber was sealed.  Early Kingdom MASTABA Mastaba served as an embryo for the evolution of the pyramid.  The STEP PYRAMID Old/Early kingdom  Early Kingdom STEP PYRAMID ¨ King Zoser (Djoser) was the powerful pharaoh of the third dynasty of the old kingdom  Early Kingdom STEP PYRAMID ¨ The step pyramid was built for king Zoser by Imhotep  STEP PYRAMID Imhotep initially conceived of the tomb as a large Mastaba of stone. It was built as a funeral complex in the necropolis at Saqqara  Early Kingdom STEP PYRAMID ¨ Dissatisfaction with result led to stacking of Mastaba ¨ Result was stepped pyramid with five sloping setbacks ¨ The step pyramid is the intermediate step between Mastaba and geometric pyramid IMHOTEP—architect of the Step Pyramid, physician, priest, and founder of a cult of healing—was STEP PYRAMID’S PHASE CONSTRUCTION deified 1,400 years after his lifetime.  Early Kingdom STEP PYRAMID ¨ Step pyramid was 200’ high w/ 6 giant steps ¨ Burial chamber is entered from north side & is 92’ down ¨ On either side of chamber are store rooms for king’s treasures ¨ All treasures buried w/ Zoser have been stolen ¨ A stone statue of Zoser also recently found staring out through peep holes in his Serdab  Early Kingdom STEP PYRAMID ¨ Serdab located on north side, along w/ funerary temple ¨ Step pyramid stands at middle of large complex ¨ Funeral complex consisted of palaces, temples & step pyramid ¨ All surrounded by fence wall 33’ high  Early Kingdom STEP PYRAMID ¨ Zoser’s funeral complex designed as model of his palace, city & kingdom ¨ Shape of pyramid suggests stairway to the sky to join the sun God Amon Ra STEP PYRAMID by Imhotep  Early Kingdom STEP PYRAMID ¨ Fence wall of funeral complex has breaking pattern of ~200 projections/recessions ¨ Fourteen were larger than the others & 13 out of the fourteen had false doors ¨ False doors for use of Pharaoh’s Ka  Early Kingdom STEP PYRAMID ¨ Entrance door leads to long hall w/ two rows of columns ¨ One of the 1st uses of columns in history ¨ Columns designed to look like bundles of reeds & had flutes Funeral/Mortuary complex of Zoser (entrance hall), Saqqara, Egypt  Early Kingdom STEP PYRAMID ¨ In North Palace also stone columns with capitals ¨ Designed to look like papyrus plant ¨ Zoser’s funeral complex designed as model of his palace, city & kingdom Step Pyramid stone columns w/ capitals resembling papyrus plant STEP PYRAMID OF KING DJOSER by Imhotep ATTEMPTS AT PYRAMID BUILDING Old/Early kingdom  Early Kingdom ATTEMPTS AT PYRAMID BUILDING ¨ After the stepped pyramids, there were several attempt at building a pure geometric pyramid ¨ Among the prominent attempts: ¤ Pyramid at Medun/Meidum ¤ Two pyramids built by Snefru at Dashur  Early Kingdom ATTEMPTS AT PYRAMID BUILDING ¨ King Huni made the first attempt at building pure Pyramid at Medun/Meidum  PYRAMID AT MEDUN/MEIDUM ¨ Constructed seven- stepped pyramid with square plan and height of 90m ¨ Angle of incline: 51° ¨ Pyramid did not have mortuary temple  Early Kingdom ATTEMPTS AT PYRAMID BUILDING ¨ Pharoah Snefru made two attempts at pyramid construction ¨ 1st pyramid, the BENT PYRAMID at Dashur had a square plan with a height of 102m ¨ The pyramid had a change of angle midway, leading to its being called the bent pyramid THE BENT PYRAMID AT DASHUR  Early Kingdom ATTEMPTS AT PYRAMID BUILDING ¨ Snefru’s 2nd pyramid - NORTH PYRAMID or RED PYRAMID - the place where he was buried ¨ Low pitch of 43° instead of 52° making it look stunted ¨ A true pyramid has an incline angle of 52°  RED PYRAMID / NORTH PYRAMID Egypt’s first “TRUE PYRAMID” as an elegant precursor to the Great Pyramids at Giza.  The PYRAMIDS AT GIZA Old/Early kingdom  Early Kingdom THE PYRAMIDS AT GIZA ¨ Construction of a true geometrical pyramid achieved during reign of Cheops, son of Snefru ¨ Located at Giza ¨ Called Great Pyramid because of size ¨ The pyramid is 482’ high on a plan 760’ square The Great Pyramids at Giza  Early Kingdom THE PYRAMIDS AT GIZA ¨ Two additional pyramids built at Giza ¨ 2nd largest in the center built by Chefren, the son of Cheops ¨ 3rd and smallest built by Mykerinus, son of Chefren ¨ The three together are referred to as the Pyramids at Giza  Early Kingdom THE PYRAMIDS AT GIZA ¨ Three are aligned diagonally along the projection of the diagonal of the great pyramid ¨ The small pyramids close by were built for queens  Early Kingdom THE PYRAMIDS AT GIZA ¨ Great pyramid unique internal arrangement ¨ First: a chamber built below base of pyramid ¨ Another chamber built above it known as queen’s chamber ¨ Larger burial chamber known as the king’s chamber built center of pyramid  Early Kingdom THE PYRAMIDS AT GIZA ¨ Chamber where the king was buried in his Sarcophagus ¨ King’s chamber 35’ x17’ and 19’ high ¨ Both king & queen chamber connected to the entrance on the north side ¨ Two air shafts connect king’s chamber to outside for ventilation ¨ Once a king is buried, burial chamber sealed Section diagram of the Great Pyramid at Giza  Early Kingdom PYRAMID ¨ The pyramids designed as part of a funeral complex for burial of pharaoh ¨ Chefren’s complex is best preserved example ¨ Complex consist of three interconnected units: ¤ A valley temple by the river Nile where the pharaoh’s body was embalmed ¤ A pyramid mortuary temple for rituals ¤ A long narrow causeway connecting the two  VALLEY TEMPLE This temple served definitely two functions: First, it was used for the purification of the mummy of the king before its burial. Second, it was used for making the Mummification process of the king.  CAUSEWAY connecting the valley temple near the river and the mortuary temple near the pyramid  MORTUARY TEMPLE Erected adjacent to, or in the vicinity of, royal tombs in Ancient Egypt. It was designed to commemorate the reign of the Pharaoh by whom they were constructed, as well as for use by the Pharaoh's cult after death. How were the pyramids constructed? The Great Pyramid took 20 years to build, with an estimated 12 blocks moved into place each hour for 24 hours a day on average  Early Kingdom PYRAMID CONSTRUCTION ¨ No accurate knowledge about the method of construction of the pyramids ¨ Estimates vary:~ 100,000 men worked 3-4 months each year for 20 years to build the pyramids. ¨ Limestone quarried from nearby --transported by lever action ¨ Paid in food, clothing and drinks  Early Kingdom Why did Egyptians Build Pyramids ¨ The pyramids were in general a response to the vast desert landscapes ¨ For structures to be visible in the desert they have to be of huge size ¨ The pyramids were also a product of the will to achieve immortality by the pharaohs ¨ Pyramids are the everlasting home of the pharaoh’s ka  Early Kingdom END OF PYRAMID CONSTRUCTION ¨ After the Mykerinus period, the era of pyramid construction ended ¨ More pyramids were built later but they were smaller and less complex ¨ Later pharaohs could not afford the cost of huge pyramid construction ¨ Grave robbers learned how to break into and steal the goods buried with pharaohs ¨ End of the Old Kingdom therefore marked the end of the great era of Egyptian pyramid construction. EGYPTIAN PERIOD OLD/EARLY KINGDOM – Tombs (Mastabas and Pyramids) MIDDLE KINGDOM – Mortuary Temples (Rock Cut and Shaft Tombs) NEW KINGDOM – Great Architectural Construction (Temples)  The MORTUARY TEMPLES Middle Kingdom  Middle Kingdom MORTUARY TEMPLES INTRODUCTION ¨ The Middle Kingdom began when pharaoh Mentuhotep united Egypt again after the first intermediate period ¨ During the middle kingdom, the practice of pyramid construction disappeared ¨ Focus in architectural development was however still on tombs and burial chambers ¨ Two categories of structures came into use- Mortuary Temples and Underground Tombs  Middle Kingdom MORTUARY TEMPLES INTRODUCTION ¨ MORTUARY TEMPLES served as place for burial and worship of pharaohs ¨ Temples dedicated to Gods were also located in them ¨ Mortuary temples owe origin to pyramid funeral complex, particular the valley and pyramid temples ¨ Underground tombs became popular because of the belief that they could not be robbed ¨ Many powerful and wealthy pharaohs and nobles carved tombs directly into rock cliffs and underground during the Middle and New kingdoms ¨ Most of the tomb and burial chamber construction was carried out at Deir El-Bahari MORTUARY TEMPLE COMPLEX at Deir El-Bahari HATSHEPSUT, “Foremost of Noble Ladies” was the fifth pharaoh of the 18th Dynasty of Egypt. She was the second historically - confirmed female pharaoh, first being Sobekneferu. MORTUARY TEMPLE OF HATSHEPSUT at Deir El-Bahari The MORTUARY TEMPLE OF HATSHEPSUT is one of the most beautiful of all of the temples of Ancient Egypt. MORTUARY TEMPLE OF HATSHEPSUT  The UNDERGROUND TOMBS Middle Kingdom  Middle Kingdom Underground Tomb- ROCK CUT TOMB ¨ Two types of Underground tombs were built by pharaohs and nobles during the Middle and New Kingdom periods- ROCK CUT TOMBS and SHAFT TOMBS ¨ Rock cut tombs are tombs that are carved out of rocks ¨ Many of theses are found along the cliff of the Nile ¨ A very good example is the Rock cut tomb at Beni Hasan Rock cut tomb at Beni Hasan  Middle Kingdom Underground Tomb- ROCK CUT TOMB Beni Hasan consists of three elements: ¤ Colonnade entrance portico for public worship ¤ Behind portico, a chamber or hall with columns supporting the roof serving as a chapel ¤ A small recess towards the back of the chapel where the person is buried  Middle Kingdom Underground Tomb- ROCK CUT TOMB ¨ The columns on the exterior were shaped like a prism with 8 or 16 sides ¨ The columns in the interior were designed as a bundle of reed tied together by rope  Middle Kingdom Underground Tomb- SHAFT TOMBS ¨ Shaft tombs were a complex series of underground corridors and rooms cut out of the mountains in the valley of the King at Deir El-Bahari ¨ Large number of rooms & complicated arrangement deliberate--to create a maze or puzzle  Middle Kingdom Underground Tomb- SHAFT TOMBS ¨ This is designed to make it difficult for robbers to determine where a dead person is buried ¨ A dead pharaoh or nobleman is buried in one of the many underground rooms ¨ Once the burial is finished, the entrance is sealed permanently and hidden from everybody EGYPTIAN PERIOD OLD/EARLY KINGDOM – Tombs (Mastabas and Pyramids) MIDDLE KINGDOM – Mortuary Temples (Rock Cut and Shaft Tombs) NEW KINGDOM – Great Architectural Construction (Temples)  The TEMPLES New Kingdom  New Kingdom GREAT ARCHITECTURAL CONSTRUCTION ¨ During the New Kingdom, tombs were rock-cut and structural, and in many cases accompanied by sepulchral Temples. ¨ Thebes, which for a time was the necropolis of the Egyptian kings, has a large number of tombs dating mostly from the New Empire, and forming a contrast to the pyramids which formed the graves of the earlier kings. EGYPTIAN TEMPLES They were sanctuaries where only the king and priests penetrated, and in which mysteries and processions formed a great part of the religious services. Egyptian Temples ¨ The "mammeisi/mammisi" were temples (dedicated to the mysterious accouchement of Isis) each consisting of one small chamber with statue and altar as at Elephantine, approached by a flight of steps. ISIS: An Egyptian goddess of fertility; most important goddesses of ancient Egypt during the old kingdom Egyptian Temples ¨ The more usual type of temple, however, consisted of chambers for the priests, with courts, colonnades, and halls, all surrounded by a high wall. Egyptian Temples: Typical Features ¨ The entrance to the temple was between "pylons," or massive sloping towers, on each side of the central gateway. In front of the entrance were placed obelisks, and in front of , these an avenue of sphinxes, forming a splendid approach to the temple.  OBELISK A tall, narrow monument (monolith) with four sides that taper into a pyramid at the top. It is used at entrances to temples of the sun god and were covered in an alloy called electrum, which is comprised of four parts gold to one part silver. Egyptian Temples: Typical Features ¨ This entrance gave access to the large outer courtyard, which was open to the sky in the centre, and therefore called "hypaethral" (from two Greek words, meaning "under the air”) Egyptian Temples: Typical Features ¨ This courtyard was surrounded by a double colonnade on three sides, and led up to the hypostyle hall, in which light was admitted by means of a clerestory above, formed by the different height of the columns. Egyptian Temples: Typical Features ¨ Beyond this is the sanctuary, surrounded by a passage, and at the rear is a smaller hall ; both the last chambers must have been dark or only imperfectly lighted. Egyptian Temples: Typical Features ¨ The whole collection of buildings forming the temple was surrounded by a great wall as high as the buildings themselves. New Kingdom: THEBES ¨ THEBES, the site of which occupied a large area on the east and west banks of the Nile, was the capital of Egypt during the New Empire (Dynasties XVII-XX). ¨ The eastern bank had an important group of Temples at Karnak, including the Great Temple of Ammon, and the Temple of Khons (twentieth dynasty).  Karnak  TEMPLE COMPLEX OF KARNAK The Egyptians called the complex Ipetisut which means “Most Select of Places” Egyptians worshiped many deities at Karnak but each precinct had a main temple. The three deities worshiped in these were Amun, Mut and Montu. THE GREAT TEMPLE OF AMUN/AMMON AT KARNAK This temple has two axes; East- West toward the Nile and North- South toward Mut’s temple. The first pylon is at the Western entrance. Evidence shows that it was not completed. Criosphinxes line the processional way leading to the Nile. These statues had ram’s heads and were one of Amun’s emblems. TEMPLE OF RAMESES III, at Karnak At Luxor, also on the eastern bank, was another Temple of Ammon (eighteenth and nineteenth dynasties) – Luxor Temple. On the western bank lay the Necropolis or Tombs of the Kings and Queens, and a large number of mortuary temples, which included those of Deir El- Bahari, the Ramesseum, and Medinet Habou. LUXOR TEMPLE Luxor Temple ¨ Earliest extant features date to the reign of Amenhotep III. He was a New Kingdom pharaoh and he rebuilt the temple’s core, which included the Inner Sanctuary. Amenhotep III also added a sun court to the front of the temple and a colonnade to the front of the sun court. ¨ The next major extant building phase dates to the reign of the New Kingdom pharaoh Ramesses II. He built the Great Court at the front of the colonnade. It was orientated to face Karnak and the processional way to Karnak ended there. He also built a triple barque shrine in the Great Court.  LUXOR TEMPLE is in the middle of the ancient city of Thebes  OBELISK a tall, narrow monument (monolith) with four sides that taper into a pyramid at the top. It is used at entrances to temples of the sun god and were covered in an alloy called electrum, which is comprised of four parts gold to one part silver. LUXOR TEMPLE LUXOR TEMPLE of today THE TEMPLE OF SETHOS I., Abydos, was dedicated to Osiris and other deities of Abydos. It was built by Sethos I. (B.C. 1366-1333), and completed by Rameses II. (B.C. 1333-1300). The walls are of fine grained limestone, and the reliefs on them are among the finest Egyptian sculptures. THE TEMPLE OF SETHOS I., Abydos THE GREAT TEMPLE OF ABU-SIMBEL, built by Rameses II. (B.C. 1333-1300), is one of the most stupendous creations of Egyptian architecture, and was entirely excavated out of the solid rock. THE GREAT TEMPLE OF ABU-SIMBEL THE TEMPLE OF ISIS, Island of Philae, is an interesting example of the Ptolemaic period, and, like earlier examples, was the work of several generations. THE TEMPLE OF ISIS, Island of Philae THE TEMPLE OF HATHOR, Dendera (A.D. first century), is another Ptolemaic example, but was not completed till the reign of Augustus. THE TEMPLE OF HATHOR, Dendera During the Graeco- Roman period many temples were erected, of which the TEMPLE OF EDFU, commenced by Ptolemy III. (B.C. 237), is the best preserved example. TEMPLE OF EDFU TEMPLE OF EDFU ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER Egyptian Architecture Architectural Characteristics: ¨ PLAN The hypostyle hall seemingly unlimited in size, crowded with pillars, and mysteriously illuminated from above, realized the grandest conceptions of Egyptian planning. Architectural Characteristics: ¨ PLAN Externally the massive pylons ornamented with incised decorations formed the chief facade, a contrast being obtained by the slender obelisks which usually stood in front of them, while the approach was through an impressive avenue of innumerable sphinxes. Architectural Characteristics: ¨ WALLS These were immensely thick, and in important buildings were of granite, while in the less important they were of brick faced with granite. Architectural Characteristics: ¨ OPENINGS These were all square-headed and covered with massive lintels, for the style being essentially trabeated, the arch appears to have been but little used. Architectural Characteristics: ¨ OPENINGS Window openings are seldom found in temples, light being admitted by the clerestories in the earlier examples at Thebes, or over the low dwarf walls between the columns of the front row, as at Luxor, Edfu, Dendera, or Philae, a method peculiar to the Ptolemaic and Roman periods. Architectural Characteristics: ¨ ROOFS These were composed of massive blocks of stone supported by the enclosing walls and the closely spaced columns. Being flat, they could be used in dwelling-houses as a pleasant rendezvous for the family in the evening for the enjoyment of the view and the fresh breezes which spring up at sunset, and at certain seasons may have been used for repose. Architectural Characteristics: ¨ ROOFS The flat roofs of the temples seem to have been used in the priestly processions. In the rockcut temples the ceilings are sometimes slightly arched in form, and as at the tombs at Beni- Hasan, the roofing is made to represent timber construction. Architectural Characteristics: ¨ COLUMNS The papyrus, a tall, smooth reed, and the lotus, a large white water-lily of exquisite beauty, offered many suggestions. (a) The lotus bud, conventionalized, tied round by stalks. (b) The fully-grown lotus flower, which formed a bell- shaped capital, sculptured or ornamented with color decoration. (c) The "palm" capital, the main outline of the palms being painted or sculptured. Architectural Characteristics: ¨ MOULDINGS These were few, the hollow and bead generally used in conjunction, but the bead was also used by itself. The two combined invariably crowned the upper part of the pylons, and walls. Architectural Characteristics: ¨ ORNAMENTS This was symbolical, and was an important element in the style, including such features as the solar disc or globe and the vulture with outspread wings, as a symbol of protection, while diaper patterns, spirals and the feather ornament were largely used. Architectural Characteristics: ¨ ORNAMENTS The scarab, or sacred beetle, was considered by the Egyptians as the sign of their religion, much in the same way as the cross became the symbol of Christianity. It probably attained its sacred character as the emblem of resurrection because of its habit of allowing the sun to hatch its eggs from a pellet of refuse. It must be remembered that the decoration of the walls of a temple consisted largely in acts of adoration on the part of the monarch to his gods, to whose protection he ascribed all his warlike successes. https://static.wixstatic.com/media/dc576f_6b5 925e5119e4691973ce41bbac48342~mv2.jpg/ v1/fill/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_90,usm_0.66_1. 00_0.01/dc576f_6b5925e5119e4691973ce41 bbac48342~mv2.jpg To be continued… CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE Reference: