Introduction
The genesis of architectural work was established during the settlement of early human beings. The transformation of architecture art is defined by how ancient man evolved from being in constant movement to having a fixed settlement area. Different artifacts such as buildings, tombs, burials, and household implements have been discovered in parts of the world, which show the way of life and settlement of ancient man. Early man built structures of different kinds, which have been changing over time, leading to the creation of modern architecture.
Cultural Influences on Architecture
Egyptian Pyramids
In the ancient period, the construction of buildings was determined by the culture adopted by a certain society. During the archaic period, most buildings were designed to showcase a civilization’s effort to establish dominance and authority over its people. For example, the great pyramids in Egypt were built in 2500 B.C. and were used as tombs for the Pharaohs. The possession of pyramids by the Pharaoh represented the authority and influence he held over ancient Egypt (Moffeit et al. 46).
The pyramids’ complexity and sheer size required a vast amount of resources and labor, which demonstrates the status of power and wealth of the Pharaohs. To attain a gigantic scale, the pyramids were built with massive stone blocks precisely shaped and positioned to form a symmetrical and perfect structure. The Pharaoh used a pyramid as a sacred place that acted as a court and deity chapel for offering sacrifices (Moffeit et al. 80). The superiority of Pharaohs in their reign was designed and manifested in pyramids that were adored by the people they ruled.
Greek Parthenon
The Parthenon in Greece was built during the ancient Greek civilization. The Parthenon was explicitly used as a temple where the goddess Athena resided. The Pathnon highlighted the strength, affluence, and cultural identity of the Greek city-state of Athens (Moffeit et al. 115). The design and architectural features, such as columns and pediments, asserted that the Athenians controlled power and control over their people and surrounding communities (Moffeit et al. 128).
The intricate carving on the Parthenon temple was designed to show wealth and Athenian’s sophisticated culture. The sculptures are located in the temple’s interior, indicating scenes of the Panathenaic festival. The figures and scenes are intricately carved and painted with incredible detail and precision. The temple’s wall is covered in a continuous frieze, which depicts various scenes from daily life in ancient Athens. The size of the temple was enormous, demonstrating their military power and political dominance (Moffeit et al. 115). Inside the temple, curved paintings and images were used to depict prayers.
Indian Taj Mahal
In Indian culture, the Taj Mahal, built in the 17th century, was a mausoleum used by Emperor Shah Jhan’s wife. The Taj Mahal displayed the Mughal Emperor’s wealth, power, and cultural values. The building was designed with intricate details and precious materials that manifested Mughal’s supremacy over people and resources (Moffeit et al. 225).
The structure of the Taj Mahal is characterized by its stunning symmetry, intricate details, and delicate ornamentation, with a central dome and four smaller domes surrounding it, with minarets at each corner (Moffett et al. 360). The building is made of white marble, with decorated elements in precious stones and inlay work. Rulers destinated the control of resources and people that people adored and respected.
Chinese Forbidden City
In China, the Forbidden City was an architectural work used to assert control and display power over Chinese people. The Forbidden City was a palace of the Ming and Qing dynasties. The building was designed and used as a symbol of the power and dominance of Chinese emperors (Moffeit et al. 165). The palace was large and designed with intricate and symbolic design elements, which exhibited the powers manifested in rulers. The palace was located at the center of the city and rounded by high walls that were not easily accessible by other residents, supplementing the emperor’s power and control of resources (Moffeit et al. 206).
The structure of the Forbidden City is characterized by its arrangement along a central axis, with a series of courtyards and halls leading to the palace proper, which is surrounded by high walls and towers. The buildings were constructed with traditional Chinese architectural elements, such as tiled roofs, red-lacquered columns, and intricate carvings. The overall design of the Forbidden City emphasizes harmony, balance, and symmetry, reflecting traditional Chinese beliefs about the relationship between man and nature.
Architectural Structures, Techniques, and Materials
Load-Bearing Walls
With the advancement in architecture, new structures, techniques, and materials have been adopted, facilitating the building of complex and large structures. In the ancient past, structures were designed and built differently to provide different functions. Load-bearing walls building technique was commonly used in ancient civilizations, such as the Egyptians, who used massive stone blocks to build the pyramids (Moffett et al. 56). Load-bearing walls allowed for the construction of large and sturdy structures but also limited design flexibility.
Post-and-Lintel System
Architectures in the ancient civilization used the Post-and-Lintel System, which used two vertical elements (posts) and a horizontal element (lintel) to support the weight of a structure. The ancient Greeks used this technique extensively in their temples, such as the Parthenon in Athens (Moffett et al. 75). The Greeks specialized in visual perfection, designing and constructing columns that looked like hourglasses from a distance. The post-and-lintel system allowed for more extensive and open interior spaces but required heavy and bulky elements to support the structure.
Arches and Vaults
The arches and vaults were used in ancient civilizations to design and construct buildings. Arches and vaults were curved structural elements that distributed weight evenly, allowing for taller and wider openings in buildings. The Romans used arches and Vaults to design buildings such as the Colosseum and Baths of Caracalla (Moffett et al. 75).
Cast Iron and Steel
Other structures were built with cast iron and steel materials in the ancient revolution of the 19th century. Cast iron and steel materials were constructed in taller, more substantial buildings with more design flexibility and less reliance on heavy load-bearing elements (Moffett et al. 350). The innovation surrounding architecture work guarantees the designing of sustainable structures that shape the future of the building.
Concrete
Additionally, the concrete construction building technique allowed the construction and creation of complex shapes and large structures. The concrete was molded into any shape to provide stability and strength. The Romans used concrete to construct their Pantheon and Colosseum. A viable form of concrete was made through a combination of aggregate, water, and local volcanic ash combined to form a liquid stone used for construction. The use of concrete continued to evolve, whereby, in the 20th century, architectures developed reinforced concrete that guaranteed more strength and stability to build structures (Moffett et al. 14). Using concrete in construction guarantees the building of muscular and taller structures.
Religious Buildings
Examples
Religious buildings have been a staple of ancient civilization and have served as a center of religious devotion and worship. The religious structures embodied the spiritual beliefs and values of various cultures. For instance, the Temple of Karnak was one of the largest temples in Egypt, and it was dedicated to the god Amun. The temple reflected Egyptian beliefs in the power of goods and daily routine. The temple’s grand size and intricate design evoked a reverence for the gods (Moffett et al. 87).
In Greece, the Parthenon in Athens was dedicated to the Athena goddess. The temple was the most critical structure in Greece, and people believed their god lived on Mount Olympus, and the temple served as a tangible representation of the deity’s presence in the world (Moffett et al. 121). The Parthenon Temple was constructed with graceful columns, detailed sculptures, and decorative reliefs that reflected society’s beliefs.
In Ephesus, the temple of Artemis was dedicated to the Artemis goddess. The temple reflected the belief in the goddess’s power as their protector. The temple consisted of grand and majestic walls and columns covered with paintings that reflected the power of the goddess (Moffett et al. 121). The Angkor Wat in Cambodia was dedicated to the Hindu god Vishnu, reflecting the cyclic nature of life. The temple had intricate sculptures and carvings that depicted the gods and stories from the Hindu way of life, which increased their belief in gods as life protectors (Moffett et al. 206). The construction and decoration of buildings in the ancient civilization were a testament to religious devotion.
Similarities
The design, structure, and operation of different temples in the ancient civilization exhibited similarities and differences. One of the similarities in temples was the use of symmetrical proportion in designing the buildings (Moffett et al. 87). The Parthenon in Greece is characterized by symmetrical design and precise measurement that reflects the Greek ideologies of harmony and balance (Moffett et al. 104). Similarly, the temple of Karnak in Egypt demonstrates a symmetrical design, with rows and columns arranged in a fashion and balanced manner. Both temples were painted to show the power possessed by gods, making it easier for people to believe them.
Architectural elements like columns and pediments were used to create monumentality and grandeur. The temple of Artemis at Ephesus was constructed with impressive columns and pediments (Moffett et al. 206). Similarly, the Parthenon temple in Athens had columns and rows (Moffett et al. 104). The temples were used as physical manifestations of god presence since people believed their gods resided in temples. Both temples were designed with elegant columns, intricate sculptures, reliefs and paintings that the society believed their gods were gigantic and powerful.
Differences
However, there are significant differences between the temples/shrines of different ancient cultures. For example, the Angkor Wat temple complex in Cambodia is distinct from the Greek and Egyptian temples in its use of towers and multiple courtyards, reflecting the unique religious and cultural beliefs of the Khmer Empire (Moffett et al. 206). In addition, the temple of Artemis at Ephesus was built in the Ionic style, which was distinct from the Doric style used in the Parthenon in Greece.
Conclusion
In conclusion, in ancient civilizations, structures were designed depending on the culture of a society. In the ancient past, the buildings were constructed to display a civilization’s attempt to assert control and power over people. The great pyramids in Egypt signified power and control over ancient Egypt. The Parthenon in Greece demonstrated the power, wealth, and culture of the Greek city-state of Athens. The structure and building were mainly used for religious purposes. The religious building reflected the beliefs and values of different cultures. For example, the temple of Karnak in Egypt was used as a residential area for their god. There were similarities in design, functionality, and operation. For example, the temple of Artemis and Parthenon in Greece had architectural elements such as columns and pediments that were created. The inner part of the building was painted and decorated to symbolize the powers possessed by gods.
Work Cited
Moffett, Marian, et al. Buildings Across Time: An Introduction to World Architecture. 6th ed., New York, McGraw-Hill, 2023.