West Asiatic Architecture PDF

WEST ASIATIC ARCHITECTURE Ar. Marites G. Balmas, REB, REA, MSCM INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL CODE : HOA1W4 MODULE TITLE : WEST ASIATIC ARCHITECTURE Learning Objectives: At the end module you should be able to : recognize the influence of geographical location on social life and architect...

WEST ASIATIC ARCHITECTURE Ar. Marites G. Balmas, REB, REA, MSCM INSTRUCTIONAL MATERIAL CODE : HOA1W4 MODULE TITLE : WEST ASIATIC ARCHITECTURE Learning Objectives: At the end module you should be able to : recognize the influence of geographical location on social life and architecture such as of pyramids, tombs and temples. relate the evolution of architectural elements of column, beam, obelisk, wall relief and clerestory lighting evaluate the Architectural principles emphasizing mass rather than space and linearity and axiality as organizing principles  GEOGRAPHICAL CONDITION The West Asiatic civilization mainly spread in the fertile lands of the two long rivers Tigris and Euphrates. The district was named as Mesopotomia (Messos = middle, potamos = river). The rich alluvial lands of Mesopotamia stretched in from the Persian gulf and known as “Fertile Crescent” which formed the cradle of civilization Two (2) rivers: Tigris - Assyrian Euphrates - Babylonian Two rivers run together for 160km. Rich in alluvial soil  GEOLOGICAL CONDITION The Mesopotamian plain – mainly alluvial Clay – abundantly and cheaply available building materials. Brick manufacture – sun dried or Kiln-burnt Bricks glazed in different colors – decorative works  CLIMATIC CONDITION Extreme hot in summer and severe cold in winter, the rainfall is very small. Columned Halls and Porticoes were common in Persian buildings – protect from severe heat High platforms or dadoes were provided for buildings – protect from heavy floods because the twin rivers Tigris and Euphrates produced flood hazard in summer due to the melting of snows  RELIGIOUS CONDITION life of the people were dominated by religion. Gods were thought to reside in the height Temples were built on elevated platforms usually provided with holy mountains “Ziggurats” with the shrine at the top Each city had at least one Ziggurat. The Mesopotamian civilization is supposed to have left some thirty Ziggurats. ziggurats were impressive like great pyramid of Egypt.  All ziggurats were very tall, usually three levels, and reached high into the sky since people believed the gods and goddesses lived in the sky. They were made from mud bricks. For the outside walls, they would cook the bricks over a low fire to make them strong. For inside walls, they just dried them in the hot sun. Assyrian Gods were: Triad of Universe Shamash, Sin, and Ishtar, personified the sun, God of Heaven– Anu, moon, and the life-giving mightiest of all triad power Earth God- Baal God of water – Ea National God – Ashur.  the Persians of the eastern plateau had adopted the religion of prophet Zoroaster. representing both good and evil at war. god of Persians were : god of good – ahura mazada god of evil - ahriman Holy book of Persians avesta or zend avasta.  According to Zoroaster , five was held as a mark of triumph of good which symbolized ahura mazada. constructed platform instead of temple and place the altar. Altar –sacrificial flame where sacred ceremony was carried out by priest class called magi. Public ceremony took place near courtyard SOCIAL CONDITION The homes of the poor were simple with a central coutyard. Flooring consisted of paved bricks or mud plaster. rich people had 2 storey construction sleeping room Kitchens Washroom Servant’s quarters Family chapel  SOCIAL CONDITION paved bricks or mud plaster used for floorings craft was usually passed from father to son Artisans were slaves ,often prisoners of war. Parents sold their sons & Auction of women were held every year to pay debts. The Babylonians buried their dead body in honey carts and chariots with solid wheel were built Ships were constructed and woods were imported from Syria. good in agriculture , metal casting and pottery.  SOCIAL CONDITION Cuneiform or wedge-shaped characters on clay tablets or cylinders have proved more lasting than the Egyptian records on perishable papyrus, and among them are accounts of the proceedings in Babylonian law courts and endless business documents. The deciphering of the Babylonian " Code of Laws " of Hammurabi (c. B.C. 2250) has supplied a wonderful insight into habits, customs, and private life from the earliest times the family idea prevailed, women were free and respected, cities had rights and charters, there were feudal holdings, a system of police, and even a postal service. This " code " gives amazing pictures of an elaborate legal system, complete commercial life, landlord's responsibilities, and city dues. HISTORICAL CONDITION The ancient architecture of West-Asiatic (3000 BC TO 330 BC) There are three main periods of West Asiatic architecture: (a) Babylonian period (B.C. 4000-1275). (b) Assyrian period (B.C. 1275-538). (c) Persian period (B.C. 538–333).  BABYLONIAN PERIOD Babylonian civilization mainly developed in the central southern region of the Mesopotamia. (Present day Iraq) The Amorites, a nomadic People from Syrian desert founded The first royal dynasty in Babylon in the 19th Century B.C. The fifth king of the first Dynasty was Hammurabi(1792-1750B.C.) About 1595B.C. Mursilis I, King of the Hittites captured Babylon. However, he was defeated by Kassites whose rule lasted until 1171 B.C.  BABYLONIAN PERIOD From 1300-1900B.C. it was under Assyrians. In 1612 B.C. the governor Nabopolassar defeated Assyrians and captured the city of Nineveh. Nebuchadnezzar II ascended the throne in 605 B.C. (Neo- Babylonian empire) His empire spread from Jerusalem to the Persian Gulf. Trade Links were Improved. His reign was undoubtedly glorious. There were World Famous Hanging Gardens.  BABYLONIAN ARCHITECTURE Babylon – “Gateway of the God” (Bab = Gate and ili = God) The city had a circumference of at least 18 km and the river Euphrates was once running through it. The city was destroyed by Assyrians once in 13th and again in 7th Century B.C. The city was surrounded by a canal acting as a moat. It was also protected by huge rampart walls which were more than 86km. In length and provided with hundred bronze gateways. Each of its eight gateways was protected by different gods, the main palace and gate were dedicated to Ishtar, the goddess of love and battle.  The Ishtar gate was patterned by horned dragons; yellow and white bulls in relief on a blue background The gate consisted of two portals one behind the other, each flanked by huge towers. It was built in Kiln-burnt bricks, cemented with pitch. The outer surface was covered by enameled bricks with colored figures of dragons.  HANGING GARDENS (600B.C.) Built by King Nebuchadnezzar, to please his Persian wife They occupied an area of 275mx183m and situated near Euphrates river. The terraced gardens planted with flowers and trees, with the beautiful fountains were 25m to 100m above the Ground. Water was stored in the reservoir and supplied through pipes  THE ZIGGURAT The Ziggurat, Birs-Nimroud (Borsippa), rebuilt by Nebuchadnezzar, when excavated by Sir Henry Rawlinson was in a sufficiently recognizable condition to be described as typical of others. It stood 272 ft. square, and was 160 ft. high, crowned with a temple shrine to the god Nebo. Four receding stories have been traced, round which a sloping terrace reached the top, but a cylinder record on the site shows that there had been seven stories glowing in glazed bricks of seven different colors and dedicated to the seven heavenly planets.  ASSYRIAN PERIOD 1275-538 B.C Assyrians were Originally Semitic Akkadians. They were warriors and Huntsmen. Their campaign ranged all throughout the Middle East. They founded their capital at Ashur (named after the God), a city on the bank of river Tigris. They kept fighting wars to keep their trade routes open. They were opposed by Hittite empire in the beginning. After its fall in 1200 B.C. their empire spread rapidly. Assyrian history really commenced under the reign of Takulti-Ninurta I(1250-1210B.C.) who captured Babylon. After the reign of Shalmaneser III (859-824B.C) the Assyrians power declined. Then followed the reign of Sargon II(722-705B.C.)–founded the capital city of Khorsabad  ASSYRIAN ARCHITECTURE THE CITY OF ASHUR There was many ziggurat temple of Ashur which was restored by tukulti ninurta-I There were many temples without ziggurat. The double ziggurat dedicated to anu and adad Two large palaces were built in the city One for living Another one for the administration  ASSYRIAN ARCHITECTURE THE CITY OF KHORSABAD The city stood on a rectangular plan of 2.6 sq.km. There were several office buildings including a temple. Palace of Sargon II was the most splendid structure, occupying an area of nearly 23 acres.  THE CITY OF KHORSABAD It had large and small courts, corridors and rooms was approached by broad ramp. The palace was divided into three parts. On its left wing, there were six temples, and on its right wing were service rooms and administrative offices, and on the opposite wings, were residential quarters followed by royal apartments.  THE CITY OF KHORSABAD The royal apartments had dadoes nearly 2m high. At the end was the throne room about 49m x 11m. The high plinths of the temple courts were decorated with polychrome glazed bricks. At one corner there stood a Ziggurat on square base of about 45m side rising in seven tiers to a Height of 45m with shrine at the top. It had a winding ramp of 1.8m wide by which one could reach on its top. Each of the seven tiers was painted in different colors. Main gateway to the grand court was flanked by imposing towers and guarded by the man-headed winged bulls as a symbol of adad the god of thunder.  NINEVEH The capital, 250 miles north of Babylon Has remains of three palaces built by Sennacherib (B.C. 705-681), Esarhaddon (B.C. 681-668) and Ashur-bani-pal (B.C. 668 -626) They were discovered by Botta (A.D. 842) and layard (A.D. 845)  NIMROUD Twenty miles south of Nineveh Had a palace built by Ashur-nasir-pal (B.C. 885 – 860), provide valuable information on Assyrian palaces  PERSIAN PERIOD In about 1000 B.C. Aryans from Caucasus region settled in Medes and Persia. The founder of this empire, Cyrus the Great (559-530B.C.) captured medians and Assyrians. After conquering the Greek colonies of western Asia minor, he next subjugated Babylon in 539B.C. After his death at Pasargadae, his son Cambyses II(530-522B.C.) extended the kingdom up to the borders of Egypt. In his reign, the Persian architecture was largely influenced by the Egypt’s splendid buildings of Thebes. He was succeeded by Darius I(522-486B.C.) He founded two new capitals one at Susa and one at Persepolis the “ Gateway of all Nations” He constructed the splendid palace at Persepolis He constructed many arterial roads and planned to connect Red Sea and Nile by a canal.  PERSIAN ARCHITECTURE THE PALACE OF PERSEPOLIS Persepolis was used as a showpiece of imperial grandeur of his empire. It was also executed by Xerxes I(486-465B.C.) and completed in 460B.C. by Arta-Xerxes I. The entire building stood on a rectangular plan 460mx275m over a rising terrace of 15m above the ground. The approach was provided at north-west by magnificent steps 6.7mwide and shallow enough for the horses to ascend. THE PALACE OF PERSEPOLIS The gateways were flanked by imposing towers and guarded by man-headed winged bulls. The gateway on the south opened to the Apadana or Audience hall nearly 76sq.m with 36 slender columns, 20m high 1.5m dia and place at 6m centre to centre.  PALACE OF XERXES (B.C. 485) consisted only of a central hall and three columned porticoes, was of great size, with an area of some 24,000 square ft. The Palace was further raised on a podium 10 ft. high, reached by four flights of steps. Columns of porticoes and hall, which originally numbered seventy-two, though only seventeen remain, were 65 ft. high with bell-shaped bases and fluted shafts Those of the north portico and great hall had elaborate capitals of Ionic volutes set on end and surmounted by double bulls, while those of the east and west porticoes consisted only of double bulls or griffins.  SUSA Administrative capital of the ancient Persian Empire Traditional beauty of Persian decoration the administrative capital of the ancient Persian Empire, has remains of great palaces of Xerxes and Artaxerxes, and here were found by M. Dieulafoy those world-famous friezes of glazed brickwork in green, yellow, and blue, known as the " Lion frieze " and the " Archer frieze," notable instances of the traditional beauty of Persian decoration, and now the treasures of the Louvre Museum, Paris.  THE TOMB OF CYRUS, PASARGADAE (B.C. 529) Unusual design, with its single chamber (10 ft. by 7 ft.) perched on a high stylobate of six steps This little tomb has been made famous by Strabo, Herodotus, and Pliny, and was visited by Alexander the Great  THE TOMB OF DARIUS, NAKSH-I-RUSTAM One of four rock-hewn sepulchers of the great Achaemenian kings 50 ft. wide of the small palace of Darius at Persepolis With four columns of the double-bull type, central doorway with Egyptian-like cornice, and upper compartment in which two rows of figures in relief support a prayer platform surmounted by a bas-relief of the king (8 ft. high) before an altar  CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF WEST ASIATIC ARCHITECTURE Builders in West Asia always had a serious problem - there was not enough stone or wood. But there was lots and lots of clay. So their buildings were usually built of brick, or mud-brick. Another thing which made West Asian people build a certain way is the constant arrival of nomadic people into the area: the Persians, the Parthians, the Arabs. All of these people were used to living and entertaining in tents, and they built their houses and palaces kind of like tents, so they would feel at home. The Assyrians unlike the Babylonians produced Mural decoration. Often the gates of the palaces were flanked by imposing towers and guarded by man-headed winged bulls. They provided bas reliefs on walls showing scenes of fighting, hunting and ceremonies of states.  CHARACTERISTIC FEATURES OF WEST ASIATIC ARCHITECTURE The chief form of ornamentation was lotus flowers, buds and band of rosettes The temples, houses and palaces had rectangular plan and were built on high dadoes to protect from heavy floods. Persian Architecture was columnar Double walls were more common. Doors and Windows were square headed. They used relief slabs for parapets and surface decoration for the lower portions of the buildings. ANALYSIS OF BUILDINGS 1. Plan 2. Walls 3. Roofs 4. Openings 5. Columns 6. Ornaments 7. Architectural Character  PLAN Floor-space of a great Assyrian or Medo-Persian building was laid out on a plan quite distinct from that of an Egyptian temple. Rooms are almost always grouped round quadrangles Buildings are also placed on terraces. Flight of stairs Halls comparatively narrow in proportion to their great length Halls nearly square on plan, and filled by a multiple of columns, occur frequently  WALLS Assyrian walls were composite structures of sun-dried bricks faced with kiln-dried bricks, which contrast with the massive stone walls of the Egyptians and the solid marble walls of the Greeks. Palace walls were frequently sheathed internally with alabaster bas- reliefs which record military and sporting exploits. External walls were plainly treated, sometimes with alternating vertical projections and recesses or with half-cylinders, and the top was often finished with battlemented cresting, while towers flanked palace entrances and occurred at short intervals along the walls. ROOFS In some bas-reliefs, buildings have roofs of a domical shape The stone roofs of the Egyptians seem to have been discarded, and with them the necessity for enormous columns and piers placed very close together. OPENINGS The contour of doors were arched or lintel Great attention was paid to important doorways, and a large amount of magnificent sculpture was employed to enrich them. COLUMNS The columns most probably were of wood in Assyrian palaces In some of the Persian ones, they were of marble, but of a proportion of treatment which point to an imitation of forms suitable for wood  ORNAMENTATIONS Sculptured slabs, painted wall decorations, and terracotta ornamentation were used as enrichments of the walls  ARCHITECTURAL REMAINS A character of lavish and ornate magnificence is the quality most strongly displayed by the architectural remains of Western Asia.  FORMATIVE ASSESSMENT: Discuss how the structures of West Asiatic Architecture evolved, in an A4 papers SUMMATIVE ASSESSMENT: Draw one (1) of the palaces/structures of West Asiatic Architecture with descriptions in 9”x 12” paper size.