IN THIS CHAPTER WE HAVE NUMEROUS EXAMPLES OF MONUMENTAL ARCHITECTURE. PICK THREE EXAMPLES AND RELATE THEM IN TERMS OF THEIR PHYSICAL FORM AND THEIR FUNCTION WITHIN SOCIETY.

Question

Compare and contrast the formal strategies.
Identify the features their architecture share.
Explain the significance of scale and height in the art and architecture.
How is the frequent political instability visible in ancient Near Eastern art and architecture?
Describe at least three different building technologies employed by architects working in the ancient Near East.

Answer 1

The White Temple, Urak: These ziggurats were cities within cities where they would worship G-ds. Stands within the center of the city upon a 40 foot ziggurat. The corners are oriented to the cardinal points of the compass. The reason it is so high is that the sumerians believed that the G-ds lived up in the sky on higher grounds, rather then with humans. The Royal Citadel of Sargon II: This piece of architecture reveals the confidence of Assyrian kinds in their all-conquring might. The strong defensive walls also reflects a society that was very fearful of imminent attack during a period of constant warfare. It is elevated on a 50 foot mound, and covered some 25 acres with more then 200 courtyard. Palace of Shapur: This was the last of the great pre-Islamic civilization of the Near East was that of the Sasians. This palace, near Baghdad, features a brick audience all, covered by an enormous vault. This to, just like the Royal Citadel of Sargon, was created to show off the prominence of the king and his great victories.