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History of Greek architecture
History of Greek architecture
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Architecture and art plays a major role in exhibiting and reiterating the histories of ancient world. In relation to the Ancient Near East, the Great Sphinx serves this purpose. To the south of the Khafre pyramid in Giza near Cairo, there sits a huge creature at the depression with the body of a lion but with a human head. This monumental statue, which is the initial true colossal imperial sculpture, is identified as the Great Sphinx. It serves as a national emblem of Egypt both modern and ancient. For centuries, the Great Sphinx has stirred the imagination of tourists, adventurers, scholars and poets while inspiring a wealth of speculation concerning the secrets behind it, its meaning and age. Notably, the term sphinx means strangler Based on geological considerations by Lubicz Schwaller and supported by Schoch Robert, the extreme erosion exhibited on the Great Sphinx’s body could not be a result of pure sand and water as it has been assumed by most geologists worldwide rather it was because of water. Geologists also confirm that Egypt in the distant past was mostly subjected to intense flooding. Furthermore, wind erosion cannot occur if the body of the Great Sphinx is covered up in sand, which has been its condition for almost five thousand years since its construction. If the wind was responsible for its erosion, then similar effects should be expected in other monuments in Egypt that were constructed using similar materials as that of the Great Sphinx. As a matter of fact, the structures, which were constructed using similar materials, have been exposed to the blowing of sand by wind though they do not exhibit minimal effects of wind erosion as the sand only did minimal scouring and cleaning of the stones. Thus, the extreme erosion evidenced on the Great Sphinx can be used in geological and environmental studies of ancient Apparently, the purpose of the construction of the Great Sphinx is unknown. However, there are varying perspectives that attempt to explain it. Some orthodox archeologists believed that it functioned as a talisman or it was the memorial of a Pharaoh. Other scholars believed that it functioned as a device for astronomical observation. After every two thousand, one hundred and sixty years, the astronomical shape changed since precession of the equinox, the sun during the spring equinox rises alongside the stellar of a diverse constellation. In the past two thousand years, the constellation was observed to be the fish, which symbolized the Christian age. Prior to the Pisces age was that of Aries the ram as the one before was that of Taurus the Bul. In addition, the first and second periods BC, during the age of Aries, iconography that was ram-oriented was common in the Egypt dynasty. Therefore, it is possible that the builders of the Great Sphinx utilized astronomical symbols in designing the
Joseph J. Ellis is a renowned Historical author and before his retirement, was a History professor at Mt. Holyoke University with a focus on the Revolutionary Era. Subsequently, his original publication of American Sphinx in 1996 won the National Book Award in Nonfiction the following year and in turn, made the text a worthy read based on the enigma that is Thomas Jefferson. As Ellis notes in the book, amidst the chorus of criticism and contradictions in the Jeffersonian character, no scholarly work can claim to understand the man’s real traits. To that end, Ellis informs his readers that his “chief quarry” in American Sphinx revolves around Jefferson 's character and the principles that propelled the man’s public and private life to the proportions
Carved from alabaster the over-life-sized statue shows a idealized depiction of ruler Khafre sitting eloquently in his throne. Riddled with indicative symbols and motifs the written language of the ancient Egyptians allows for historian to interoperate the meanings and purpose of the sculpture, and decipher the statements of divinity and the king power left behind by this ancient people. This funerary statue represents Khafre’s eternity a well as utilizing the expensive material as a testament of his importance and
This periodical discusses the physical appearance of The Pyramids Of Giza as built by each pharaoh, and also the function of the pyramid as a mortuary temple (Salima Ikram, Janice Kamrin 2012). It also discusses the Pyramids of Giza as great structures of the ancient world (Salima Ikram, Janice Kamrin 2012). This periodical was very important to my understanding as it showcased why Pyramids were so important to the burial process, showing the connection between burial and architecture. The authors of this periodical remain non bias throughout, providing factual information about the Pyramids Of
Hawass,Zahi. The secrets of the Sphinx: restoration past and present. Cairo: The American University in Cairo Press, 1998.
The Egyptians often included lions to symbolize strength, leadership, loyalty, and war. The top of the palette also includes a human face with bull horns. This was done in attempt to represent the gods the ancient Egyptians believed in. These gods are associated with power, masculinity, and fertility.
In Egypt, the Nile River overflowed its banks annually, creating fertile, mineral-rich soil. The yearly rise of the Nile in Egypt was gentle and predictable. The Egyptian’s found security in the Nile’s 365-day cycle of inundation and Egypt’s perimeter of sea and desert
Egypt is most often known for mummies, pyramids and other famous monuments such as the Sphinx at Giza. Egypt also made a name in art for its paintings, sculptures and the construction of its pyramids. All of these things were customarily created for the pharaohs and the worship of their gods and goddesses. Egyptian religion is polytheistic and their gods were anthropomorphic, meaning they had many gods that could take on both human and animal forms, including the feline. These animals were very well treated and worshiped just like a god or goddess. One of the most important animals considered divine in Ancient Egypt was none other than the feline. Egypt worshiped cats as gods and goddesses, mummified them to join their masters after death and even depicted them in statues and art (Ions, 126).
The statue of King Khafre Seated , from the fourth dynasty of the Old Kingdom, 2520 - 2492 BCE, was created by an unknown artist in the smooth permanence of graywacke stone. Although the statue is currently at the Metropolitan Museum of Art as number 56 in the Special Egyptian Exhibition, its true home is at the Egyptian Museum, in Cairo. The man being portrayed, King Khafre, ruled Egypt for approximately thirty years, during which he commissioned the single most recognizable monuments of Egypt, the a fore mentioned Pyramids at Giza and the Sphinx. These monuments of symmetry and solidity characterize the focus of popular architecture and sculpture from the Old Kingdom in Egypt.
W. Raymond Johnson, The Journal of Egyptian Archaeology, (1996), pp. 65-82, Date viewed 19th may, http://www.jstor.org/stable/pdfplus/3822115.pdf?&acceptTC=true&jpdConfirm=true
The ancient Egyptians are known for many of the incredible aspects of their culture and everything they have produced. Some of the well known ancient Egyptian relics are the ones like the ancient pyramids, the Great Sphinx of Giza, mummies, and their many forms of art. Ancient Egyptian art is one of the most recognized styles of art. The most commonly known types of ancient Egyptian art are types like paintings, ceramics, and sculptures. Not only is Egyptian art beautiful, but it carries a huge deal of value and significance with it. A great portion of the time, the art has some kind of religious meaning to it. Consequently it is very difficult to discuss the art itself without delving into the various gods and goddesses presented in it. Something that particularly struck me about ancient Egyptian art was their proneness to use animals in their art. Not only do they use the animal’s full figure, but they also put individual parts on human bodies. This intrigued me because not many cultures have art that embrace animals to this extent. I will be exploring why the ancient Egyptians depict animals in their art repeatedly, and considering what they meant to them.
One of the most mysterious structures found in today’s world is the Great Sphinx of Egypt, located on the outskirts of the hustling city of Giza. Many archeologists and explorers spend their entire careers trying to answer many unknowns about the Sphinx such as, “Who built the Sphinx,” and “Why does it exist?” Although these questions do not have clear answers, there are many theories that try to crack the mysteries of the Great Sphinx.
When I researched the Sphinx I learned some other interesting things. I also discovered that nobody really knows a true fact. For example: Ancient Egyptian Art by Susan Hodge, states that the Sphinx was made out of sandstone. This was on page twenty two of the book. However, the website, “http://guardians.net/egypt/sphinx” states it was made out of bedrock. So really nobody knows what the Sphinx was built of.
The Great pyramids of Egypt are undoubtedly one of the most recognized and admired landmarks in the world. Built to pay tribute to gods and pharaohs, the pyramids were of great importance to the Egyptians, and the mystery of their construction continues to amaze us today. Many theories pertaining to how the pyramids were built have been suggested, however, none are as well supported or intelligible as the heave-ho method of quarrying and cutting limestone. Joseph Davidovits’ theory disproving this, in which states the pyramids were moulded, is not plausible. Substantial physical evidence which is consistent with the Egyptologists’ portrayal of the heave-ho method has been found. The entire process of building a pyramid with this method is possible, as demonstrated by thorough experiments and analysis of the Egyptian culture. Indisputably, the Great Pyramids of Giza were constructed by quarrying limestone, and the use of ramps, sleds, and cutting tools, owing to the ingenuity and strength of highly organized Egyptian workers.
It is believed that the shape of the pyramid was an important religious statement. Some scholars believe that this is true while others still debate the possibilities. We can assume that the Egyptians were trying to symbolize the slanting rays of the sun. It is also believed that the sloping sides on the pyramid were intended to help the soul of the king climb to the sky and join the gods.