Distinctive Architectural Styles
by Lauren Blumenfeld
India
In classical India, distinctive architecture was mainly influenced by Buddhism. The Ajanta Caves, excavated around 200 BCE, are 30 rock-cut caves that show influence of Buddha, Bodhisattvas, the life of the Jatakas. Most of the caves are monastaries and few are chaitya-grihas, Buddhist halls of worships. The caves were carved for a place the monks could dwell and pray. The caves were skillfully built by chisel and hammer and made with elaborate detail. The painting on the wall show the life of prince Gautama Buddha and the Jatakas stories referring to Buddha's previous incarnation.
During the rule of Ashoka, the Great Stupa at Sanchi was built. Stupas are dome-like structures commemorating the relics of princes, specifically Buddha. The Great Stupa at Sanchi is surrounded by four gateways called "torans". Each toran is made up of two square posts that is topped with a sculptured animal. On the top beam, the symbol of the triratna was placed. The rest of the torans are covered in relief sculptures that depict the life of Buddha and his previous life from the legends of Jakata. Buddha is represented by a wheel, a pair of footprints, or an empty throne. The reliefs are deeply carved and creates a dark shadow effect when the sun is out. The torans are full with illustrations that are important to Buddhism. Several of the gateways are decorated with yakshis (female fertility spirits). They are posed with their leg thrusting against the post and have their arms entwined with tree branches. The smooth and round modeling of the relief used on the yakshis gives the sense of "swelling from within".
http://ajantacaves.com/
http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/South%20India/Ajanta/Ajanta.htm
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Culture/Archit/Archit.html
http://puratattva.in/2010/08/04/mahabalipuram-the-workshop-of-pallavas-part-ii-44.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/521765/Sanchi-sculpture
During the rule of Ashoka, the Great Stupa at Sanchi was built. Stupas are dome-like structures commemorating the relics of princes, specifically Buddha. The Great Stupa at Sanchi is surrounded by four gateways called "torans". Each toran is made up of two square posts that is topped with a sculptured animal. On the top beam, the symbol of the triratna was placed. The rest of the torans are covered in relief sculptures that depict the life of Buddha and his previous life from the legends of Jakata. Buddha is represented by a wheel, a pair of footprints, or an empty throne. The reliefs are deeply carved and creates a dark shadow effect when the sun is out. The torans are full with illustrations that are important to Buddhism. Several of the gateways are decorated with yakshis (female fertility spirits). They are posed with their leg thrusting against the post and have their arms entwined with tree branches. The smooth and round modeling of the relief used on the yakshis gives the sense of "swelling from within".
http://ajantacaves.com/
http://www.shunya.net/Pictures/South%20India/Ajanta/Ajanta.htm
http://www.sscnet.ucla.edu/southasia/Culture/Archit/Archit.html
http://puratattva.in/2010/08/04/mahabalipuram-the-workshop-of-pallavas-part-ii-44.html
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/521765/Sanchi-sculpture
Greece
In classical Greece, architecture was focused on monumental construction that was square or rectangular in shape. These monumental constructions also had columned porticos. The Greeks interest in proportion, simplicity, and perspective in their building greatly influenced their structures. Greeks not only built temples, but amphitheaters and agoras (market places) as well. Their structures then went on to influence the Romans.
The three orders of architecture in classical Greece were: the Doric, the Ionic, and the Corinthian. Each order has its own design and distinctive details. Doric columns are the simplest. The capital (top) is topped by a square. This makes the Doric order columns sturdy. The shaft (long part of the column) has 20 sides and thins as it reaches the top. The Doric column has no base. This column has a simple and basic look and was used commonly for rectangular buildings. The area above the column, the frieze, was decorated with metopes and triglyphs. Metopes were spaces between the triglyphs, a pattern of three vertical lines.
The Ionic order was more elaborate than the Doric order. The Ionic columns had a base and a scroll capital. The scroll like design is called a volute. The columns became thinner than those of the Doric order. The Parthenon is a structure that incorporates both the Doric and Ionic orders. It has the columns of the Doric order but the frieze is sculpted just like those of the Ionic order.
The Corinthian order, invented in Athens in the 5th century BCE, is more ornate than the other two orders. The Corinthian column capitals are decorated with leaves and a scroll.
http://www.ancient.eu.com/Greek_Architecture/
http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Art/
http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/interactive_learning/yr7greecefiles/Greek_Architecture2.htm
http://www.cmhpf.org/kids/dictionary/classicalorders.html
http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/parthenon.html
Stearns, Peter. World Civilizations. 3rd ed. New York: Addison-Wesley Educational , 2003. 79. Print.
The three orders of architecture in classical Greece were: the Doric, the Ionic, and the Corinthian. Each order has its own design and distinctive details. Doric columns are the simplest. The capital (top) is topped by a square. This makes the Doric order columns sturdy. The shaft (long part of the column) has 20 sides and thins as it reaches the top. The Doric column has no base. This column has a simple and basic look and was used commonly for rectangular buildings. The area above the column, the frieze, was decorated with metopes and triglyphs. Metopes were spaces between the triglyphs, a pattern of three vertical lines.
The Ionic order was more elaborate than the Doric order. The Ionic columns had a base and a scroll capital. The scroll like design is called a volute. The columns became thinner than those of the Doric order. The Parthenon is a structure that incorporates both the Doric and Ionic orders. It has the columns of the Doric order but the frieze is sculpted just like those of the Ionic order.
The Corinthian order, invented in Athens in the 5th century BCE, is more ornate than the other two orders. The Corinthian column capitals are decorated with leaves and a scroll.
http://www.ancient.eu.com/Greek_Architecture/
http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/Art/
http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/interactive_learning/yr7greecefiles/Greek_Architecture2.htm
http://www.cmhpf.org/kids/dictionary/classicalorders.html
http://academic.reed.edu/humanities/110tech/parthenon.html
Stearns, Peter. World Civilizations. 3rd ed. New York: Addison-Wesley Educational , 2003. 79. Print.
The Roman Empire
Architecture in classical Roman civilization was greatly influenced by the Greeks. The Romans advanced skills in engineering led them to building complex and advanced buildings for their time. These engineering skills also led the Romans to add domes to rectangular buildings and have more massive structures than the Greeks. The Romans built structures that were made to inspire but also to have a function to the public.
In the first century BCE, concrete was introduced by the Romans. It was used in the place of stone. Marble was supplanted by tile-covered concrete. With this new innovation, buildings were able to escape the basic rectangular design and enter to a more free flowing design. Romans made concrete by mixing lime mortar, water, sand, and stones. This new mixture allowed for a more sturdy construction and a less costly construction than marble. Concrete was used in most Roman architecture such as domes and arches.
One of the concrete based structures, The Pantheon, was built by Emperor Hadrian who reigned from 117-138 CE. The Pantheon is circular and supported by Corinthian columns, which were inspired by the Greeks. There is an opening called the oculus in the center of the dome. The dome is supported by arches which were covered by marble.
The Roman Colosseum was built by Emperor Vespasian starting around 70 CE. The purpose of the Colosseum was to distract the Roman population from other serious issues. The Colosseum was built using arches. There are 80 arches that run along the walls and to the center of the amphitheater.
Triumphal arches, such as the Arch of Titus, were constructed by emperors to honor great military victories.
http://www.crystalinks.com/romearchitecture.html
http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth200/politics/roman_architecture.html
http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/roman-architecture/ancient-roman-architecture.htm
http://www.romanlife-romeitaly.com/ancient-roman-colosseum.htmlhttp://www.vroma.org/~forum/archtit.html
Stearns, Peter. World Civilizations. 3rd ed. New York: Addison-Wesley Educational , 2003. 80. Print.
In the first century BCE, concrete was introduced by the Romans. It was used in the place of stone. Marble was supplanted by tile-covered concrete. With this new innovation, buildings were able to escape the basic rectangular design and enter to a more free flowing design. Romans made concrete by mixing lime mortar, water, sand, and stones. This new mixture allowed for a more sturdy construction and a less costly construction than marble. Concrete was used in most Roman architecture such as domes and arches.
One of the concrete based structures, The Pantheon, was built by Emperor Hadrian who reigned from 117-138 CE. The Pantheon is circular and supported by Corinthian columns, which were inspired by the Greeks. There is an opening called the oculus in the center of the dome. The dome is supported by arches which were covered by marble.
The Roman Colosseum was built by Emperor Vespasian starting around 70 CE. The purpose of the Colosseum was to distract the Roman population from other serious issues. The Colosseum was built using arches. There are 80 arches that run along the walls and to the center of the amphitheater.
Triumphal arches, such as the Arch of Titus, were constructed by emperors to honor great military victories.
http://www.crystalinks.com/romearchitecture.html
http://employees.oneonta.edu/farberas/arth/arth200/politics/roman_architecture.html
http://www.tribunesandtriumphs.org/roman-architecture/ancient-roman-architecture.htm
http://www.romanlife-romeitaly.com/ancient-roman-colosseum.htmlhttp://www.vroma.org/~forum/archtit.html
Stearns, Peter. World Civilizations. 3rd ed. New York: Addison-Wesley Educational , 2003. 80. Print.
Mesoamerica
The Olmecs in Mesoamerica built pyramids that have lasted to this day. The Great Pyrimid built by the Olmecs is found in La Venta. The conical shape is thought to represent nearby volcanoes. The pyramid design spread throughout the rest of the Mesoamerica civilization.
The Mayans of Mesoamerica built pyramids that were dedicated to deities. Intricately carved steps usually led up to a terrace that was used as a temple. Two types of staircases were used: those that were meant to be climbed and those that were not. The ones easy to climb were used for sacrificial rituals. The ones not able to be climbed were meant to be left alone and held sacred. The temples were at the top because the Mayans believed they were closer to the heavens. The temples consisted of an altar with a painted representation of the god behind the altar. Some of the pyramids were used as burial tombs. With the strucutres peering over the top of the jungle, they could be seen from a far distance away. This served as a warning of who was the local ruler. The Mayans showed their obsession with astronomy in the temple Castillo. This pyramid has 91 steps on each of its four sides. This totals up for 364 steps. Add the top platform and this totals up to 365, the total number of days in a year. There are nine tiers that make up Castillo. The staircases appear to divide the 9 tiers into two, making 18. The Mayans had 18 months in their year. Other structures that showed Mayan interest in astronomy were the "E-groups". These structures were built on the western side of a quadrilateral platform. It is said these structures were Mayan observatories due to their exact position in relation to the sun and the moon. The E-groups also had relief and artwork depicting stories of creation. Like other Mesoamerican culture, ball courts were important to Mayan culture as well. The shape of these were a capital "I" and had walls made of limestone. These walls also had platforms that were used for ritual purposes.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1533823/Mesoamerican-architecturehttp://library.thinkquest.org/10098/mayan.htm
http://www.personal.psu.edu/mzy108/maya%20project/architecture.html
http://www.crystalinks.com/mayanarch.html
https://www.courses.psu.edu/anth/anth008_cmg149/mayan.html
http://www.americanegypt.com/feature/cities/chichenitza/castillo.htm
The Mayans of Mesoamerica built pyramids that were dedicated to deities. Intricately carved steps usually led up to a terrace that was used as a temple. Two types of staircases were used: those that were meant to be climbed and those that were not. The ones easy to climb were used for sacrificial rituals. The ones not able to be climbed were meant to be left alone and held sacred. The temples were at the top because the Mayans believed they were closer to the heavens. The temples consisted of an altar with a painted representation of the god behind the altar. Some of the pyramids were used as burial tombs. With the strucutres peering over the top of the jungle, they could be seen from a far distance away. This served as a warning of who was the local ruler. The Mayans showed their obsession with astronomy in the temple Castillo. This pyramid has 91 steps on each of its four sides. This totals up for 364 steps. Add the top platform and this totals up to 365, the total number of days in a year. There are nine tiers that make up Castillo. The staircases appear to divide the 9 tiers into two, making 18. The Mayans had 18 months in their year. Other structures that showed Mayan interest in astronomy were the "E-groups". These structures were built on the western side of a quadrilateral platform. It is said these structures were Mayan observatories due to their exact position in relation to the sun and the moon. The E-groups also had relief and artwork depicting stories of creation. Like other Mesoamerican culture, ball courts were important to Mayan culture as well. The shape of these were a capital "I" and had walls made of limestone. These walls also had platforms that were used for ritual purposes.
http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/1533823/Mesoamerican-architecturehttp://library.thinkquest.org/10098/mayan.htm
http://www.personal.psu.edu/mzy108/maya%20project/architecture.html
http://www.crystalinks.com/mayanarch.html
https://www.courses.psu.edu/anth/anth008_cmg149/mayan.html
http://www.americanegypt.com/feature/cities/chichenitza/castillo.htm