AMBROCIO, LARA KAYE T.

BSAR 5C

HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE 1
 CONTENTS
1. Prehistoric Architecture
2. Mesopotamian Architecture
3. Egyptian Architecture
4. Greek Architecture
5. Roman Architecture
6. Early Christian Architecture
7. Byzantine Architecture
 PREHISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
FACTORS AFFECTING HISTORYOF ARCHITECTURE
1. Geography
2. Geology
3. Society
4. Climate
5. History

PREHISTORIC ARCHITECTURE
– refers to the time before people could write/ time
before written records
- objects are documented for records
- challenge is to read non-verbal info found in the
object.

STONE AGE
1. Paleolithic (Old Stone Age) c40,000-8,000 BCE
- Nomadic Hunters;
- Hunting as Source of Food
2. Mesolithic (Middle Stone Age) c8,000-7,000 BCE
3. Neolithic (New Stone Age) c7,000-2,300 BCE
- Began to settle year-round
- Built houses

8,000 BCE
- Stones as tools

LATIN TERMS
PALEO – “Old”
MESO – “Middle/ Between”
NEO – “New”
LITH – “Stone”
MEGA – “Large/ Great”
HISTORY
- Direct human ancestors evolved in Africa from 2.3 million
years ago -
Homo Habilis, Homo Erectus, Homo Sapiens,
• Success of humans due to development of tools – wood,
stone, animal bone
• Humans spread from Africa into Southern Europe and Asia.
• Could not settle far north due to cold climate.
From Siberia by foot into North America
• From Southeast Asia by boat into Australia
• Before 9000 BC, nomadic life of hunting & food
gathering
• By 9000 BC, farming and agriculture was practiced
• Fertile soil and plentiful food
• Animal domestication for work, milk, wool
• People wanted to settle down, live in communities
• First villages in the Middle East, South America, Central
America, India and China
• People wanted to settle down, live in communities
• First villages in the Middle East, South America, Central
America, India and China
• Some people needed not farm, so they spent time on
other work
- pot-making, metal-working, art and… architecture!
RELIGION
•No organized religion
• The dead are treated with respect - burial rituals and
monuments
EARLY DWELLINGS
1.Rock Cave
2.Huts
3.Tents
4.Wigam/ Tepee
5.Igloo
6.Trullo
7.Yurts
LASCAUX CAVE in France famous for Paleolithic Cave
Paintings
17,300 years old – estimated age, image of animals and fossils

8,000 BCE

Rock Cave – Earliest form of Dwelling (Natural/

Artificial)
CHAUVET CAVE ART in France – image of extinct animals
Paleolithic era – 13000 BC. Best preserved figurative cave
paintings in the world
Huts – made up of reeds,
brushes and wattles Beehive Hut

Tents– made from tree barks,

animal skins & plant leaves

Wigam/Tepee– conical tent

with wooden poles as framework

8,000 BCE
Igloo– house constructed of hard-
packed snow blocks built up spirally.

Trullo (Italy)– dry walled rough

stone shelter with corbelled roof

Trullo (Italy)– dry walled rough

stone shelter with corbelled roof
 Catal Huyuk –Largest and Best Preserve Neolithic
Settlement in the World.
Made of Clay – a UNESCO World Heritage Site IN TURKEY

Characteristics:
1. No Roads
2. Flat Roof
3. Doors in Roof Decks
4. Ladders

Female Figures–
Most prominent part of Catal Huyuk

Female Figures is a representation

that they have outnumbered the male
Tumulus– ancient burial mound
Women are powerful person

Goddess

Symbol or means of ensuring Harvest

or protecting food supply

They believe that giving birth is

MAGIC

Tumuli– earthern ancient burial

mound use for burials of several couple
hundred of ordinary persons. It has a
corridor inside leading toan underground
chamber
 STONEHENGE
The most famous prehistoric Neolithic Monument in the world
(UNESCO W.H.S.)
- Used as astronomical observatory or as a religious site
(worship place)
- Parts: Outer ring, Inner ring, Horse Shoe
The most famous prehistoric Neolithic Monument in the world (UNESCO W.H.S.)
- Used as astronomical observatory or as a religious site (worship place)
- - Parts: Outer ring, Inner ring, Horse Shoe
2 TYPES OF RELIGIOUS STRUCTURES RELIGIOUS STRUCTURES
MENHIR – 1
1. MONOLITH – Single upright stone also known as “MENHIR” DOLMEN – 2 or more with
2. MEGALITHIC– Several Number of Stones CROMLECH horizontal slab 3 or more in
a circular form
 MESOPOTAMIA ARCHITECTURE

-considered as one of the Oldest Civilization

-it is from the GREEK means

BETWEEN TWO RIVERS

- Mesos (Middle) and Potamos (River)

• The Ubaid period: 3750 -2900 BCE.
-Here were built the first cities in southern
Mesopotamia - Uruk, Jemdat Nasr, and other cities.
• The Sumerians, who arrived in Sumer around
3100 BCE TIGRIS EUPHRATES
-First to develop civilization in Mesopotamia. Their
cuneiform script, which is a practical method of
writing.
• Jemdet Nasr Period - the end of the fourth
millennium BCE.
-Cities were dominated by temples. Walls were built
around cities.
• Early Dynastic period of Sumer: 2900 – 2334 BCE.
-Construction of irrigation canals. 8,000 BCE
• Akkadian Dynasty: c.2193-2334 BCE.
-Sargon (in Akkadian: Sharru Kinu, literally: true
king) the Great (reigned 2334 – 2279 BCE), took
over Umma and Sumer in 2334. He was the
ruler who created a religious and political unity
between Sumer and the northern part of
Mesopotamia.
 Ziggurats –The Holy Mountain
City of UR
(first independent city-state)
- Anu and Nanna Ziggurats,
developed 1st writing system
– VOTIVE FIGURES

Arkadian
- Sargon I defeats
Sumerians
NEO SUMERIAN

Babylonian
-a rectangular stepped tower surmounted by temple on
- United Sumer under
need to get closer to them.
top
- Hammurabi (1792 –1750 BCE) - Each state has their own ziggurat and they believe
- Stele of Hammurabi with his Code of that Gods lived in
Laws - the sky they nee d to get closer to them

NEO BABYLONIAN Assyrian

- Took control around 1400 BCE
– King Assurbanipal kept library, ziggu
rat form & Sumerian texts
– Human-head lion
LAMASSU guard palace

PERSIAN
– Persepolis (Cyrus and the Citadel)
PERSIAN
 Mesopotamia is also known as the “Cradle of Civilization” pri
The most famous prehistoric Neolithic Monument in the world (UNESCO W.H.S.) marily
- Used as astronomical observatory or as a religious site (worship place) because of two developments
- - Parts: Outer ring, Inner ring, Horse Shoe occurred in the Region of Sumer,
in the 4th century BCE:

A.The rise of the city

B.The invention of writing `

Cuneiform – the first writing system

King Nebuchadnizzar II
- the ruler of
Neo-Babylon, he has a
wife named Amyitis from a
green rugged mountains,
when she lived in
Mesopotamia (flat and sun
baked terrain) she became
depressed.
ETEMENANKI – “Temple of
the foundation of heaven
and earth”
KING ASHURBANIPAL
– ruler of Assyrians He
conquered Mesopotamia,
Syria, Palestine and Egypt
LAMASSU THE GUARDIANS DARIUS I APADANA OF XERXES
OF THE GATE -ruled by a satrap, who -is a large hypostyle hall, the best known Example being
-An assyrian protective guarded roads, collected the great audience hall And portico at Persepolis.
Deity taxes and controlled ar THE THRONE HALL
Body my -it is the 2nd largest building in Persepolis Next to Apada
– Lion/ Bull Wings CYRUS II from 559 – 529 na, built by King Xerxes And continued by his son
– Eagle Head BC Artaxerxes I
– Human GATE OF ALL NATIONS
– The Gate of Xerxes PALACE OF KHORSABAD – by King Sargon II 722 to 705BC
 EGYPTIAN ARCHITECTURE
- a transcontinental country spanning the NORTHEAST corner of Africa and SOUTHWEST corner of Asia.
- has SANDY dessert with a strip of fertile on the banks of NILE

ROSETTA STONE
-discovered in Rosetta Coast in Mediterrane
an 1799 by Napoleon’s soldiers 3 LANGUAG
ES: • The first great civilization to emerge around the
1. Egyptian Heiroglyphs Mediterranean basin was that of Egypt (c.3100-2040
2. Demotic (Late Egyptian) BCE).
3. Classical Greek - This stone is the key of
• Famous examples of Egyptian pyramid architecture
solving the mystery of Egyptian Hieroglyphs include: The Step Pyramid of Djoser (c.2630 BCE) designed
EGYPTIAN LIVING by Imhotep - one of the greatest architects of the
- 1/3 year for agriculture ancient world
-2/3 year for building (for Pharaoh)
• The Great Pyramid at Giza (c.2550 BCE), also called the
• Pyramid of Khufu or 'Pyramid of Cheops' - the oldest
POLITICAL INFLUENCE ofthe Seven Wonders of the World, as compiled by
1.Pharaoh – King of Egypt, ruler, highest priest Antipater of Sidon (170-120 BCE).
2.Son of Pharaoh – successor
3.Vizier – most powerful official • The Middle and Late Kingdoms (c.2040-300 CE), the
4.Chancellor – controls treasuries and census Egyptians constructed a series of palaces at Karnak (eg.
5.Chief Steward – in charge of Kings Personal e Temple of Amon, 1530 BCE onwards).
state and household
6.Monarchy – form of government
IMHOTEP – the Architect of Pyramid of Zoser
- he is the Vizier of King Djoser

MASTABA

STEPPED PYRAMID
BENT PYRAMID
GREAT PYRAMIDS
 SPHINX- an Egyptian symbol of strength and wisdom often depicted as
guardians of temples

EGYPTIAN TEMPLES
Temples – are sanctuaries that only
Kings and Priests can penetrate
Two (2) Types of Temples:
BODY OF LION

HEAN OF HUMAN
1. Mortuary – built in honor of the
Pharaohs Only high priest

ANDROSPHINX
2. Cult – built for the worship of the
Gods can enter both

Rock – Cut Temples – cut deep int

need to get closer to them.
BODY OF LION

HEAD OF HAWK o mountain rocks along side of hill;

common burial of the wealthy
Parts of Temple:

HIERACOSPHINX 1. Pylon – Egyptian Gateway

2. Hypaethral Court – large outer c
ourt open to the sky
BODY OF LION 3. Hypostyle Hall – a pillared hall in
HEAD OF RAM which the roofs rest on columns
4. Sanctuary – surrounded by pass
ages and chambers
CRIOSPHINX 5. Avenue of Sphinx – where mystic
al monsters where placed
 EXAMPLE OF TEMPLES

Great Temple of Abu Simbel

Ramesseum

ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
1.Engaged Columns
2.Obelisk Temple of Queen Hatshepsut
3.Torus Moulding OBELISK
4.Gorge Moulding -Are monumental pillars usually in pairs
5.Fresco Secco found at the temple entrances considere
6.Painted Limestone d as symbol of “Heliopolis” the Sun God
- Square in plan
Relief Architectural Character includes:
1.Simplicity
2.Monumentality
3.Massiveness

Temple of Isis
Temple of Amon-ra

Temple of Amun-Karnak
 GREEK ARCHITECTURE “GREEK & ROMAN”
CLASSICAL ARCHITECTURE
Classical architecture usually denotes architecture which is more or less consciously derived
from the principles of Greek and Roman architecture of classical antiquity.

• The Archaic Period (c.600-500 BCE)

• The Classical Period (c.500-323 BCE)
• The Hellenistic Period (c.323-27 BCE).
• About 600 BCE, the Greeks set about replacing the
wooden structures of their public buildings with
stone structures - a process known as 'petrification'.
• Limestone and marble was employed for columns
and walls, while terracotta was used for roof tiles and
HOW TO DESCRIBE TEMPLES ornaments. Decoration was done in metal, like bronze.
By number of columns at entrance (Front) Column • The typical rectangular building design was often
Name • surrounded by a columns on all four sides (eg. The
1 – hemostyle
2 – distyle
Parthenon) or more rarely at the front and rear only
3 – tristyle (eg the Temple of Athena Nike).
4 – tetrastyle • Roofs were laid with timber beams covered by
5 – pentastyle terracotta tiles, and were not domed.
6 – hexastyle • Pediments (the flattened triangular shape at each
7 – heptastyle
gable end of the building) were usually filled with
8 – octastyle
9 – enneastyle sculptural decoration or friezes, as was the row of
10 – decastyle lintels along the top of each side wall, between the roof
12 – dodecastyle and the tops of the columns.
• Principles of Greek Architecture: Classical Orders
PARTS OF GREEK TEMPLE
• There were three orders in early Greek architecture:
1.Naos – the principal chamber containing the statue of the
god or goddess the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.
2. Pronaos – The portico in front of Naos • The Doric style was common in mainland Greece and
3.Epinaos – treasury chamber later spread to the Greek colonies in Italy.
 GREEK ARCHITECTURE

a. The Erechtheion a. Temple of Apollo Epicurius

a. The Parthenon
b. Temple of Nike Apteros
b. b. Temple of Zeus Olympus
c. Temple of Artemis

HISTORICAL INFLUENCE
AEGEAN ART – the term used to describe the Bronze Age that occurred in the land in and around Aegean Sea

GREEKPERIODS:
1.AEGEAN/ EARLY PERIOD – ROUGH AND MASSIVE LION’S GATE
A. CYCLADIC (Cyclades Island) 3000-1600 BCE - Most ancient stone sculpture in Europe
B. MINOAN (Crete) 3000-1400 BCE - located in Ancient Mycenae
C. MYCENAEAN (Mainland Greece) 1400-1100 BCE - Corbelled Arch
2. HELLINIC PERIOD - Post and Lintel
3. HELLINISTIC PERIOD
- Heads are now GONE
 GREEK ARCHITECTURE

Important facts you need to know:

1.Acropolis - High City
2.Propylaea - Greek entrance gateway
3.Agora – an open ancient “place of assembly”
4.Stoa – public walkway
5.Palaestra – wrestling school
6.Amphitheater – open air-structure
7.Odeion – building for musical compititions
8.Prytaneion – senate house for the chief
9.Stadion – foot race
10.Hyppodrome – chariot racing
11. Bouleuterion – counsil house
12. Tombs – Treasury Of Atreus
13. Mausoleum – Phytius and Satyrus
14. Quadrigas – Chariot with 4 horses
 ROMAN ARCHITECTURE
This is exemplified by Roman architectural achieveme
nts in drainage systems, aqueducts (eg. the aqueduct
at Segovia, 100 CE)

Sports facilities and amphitheatres (eg. the Colosseum

72-80 CE)

Design was enhanced through architectural develop

ments in the construction of arches and roof domes.
Arches improved the efficiency and capability of
bridges and aqueducts (fewer support columns were n
eeded to support the structure).

Developments in materials were also crucial, as

chronicled by the Roman architect Vitruvius (c.78-10
BCE) in his book De Architectura.
ROMULUS
This is exemplified by the Roman invention of concrete
(opus cementicium), a mixture of lime mortar, sand,
& REMUS
-Twin brothers
water, and stones, in the 3rd century BCE.
-Sons of Rhea Silva
and Mars (God of War)
Like their Egyptian and the Greek predecessors, -Belief says they are
architects in ancient Rome embellished their public the founders of
buildings with a wide range of artworks, including: Roman City
Roman sculpture (especially reliefs, statues and busts -Discovered by
Lupa or She-wolf
of the Emperor), fresco murals, and mosaics.
 ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

MARCUS AURELIUS CONCRETE

-Roman Emperor 161 – 180 - Roman’s invention/ greatest contribution in
- The last of 5 good emperors Construction
- Nerva, Trajan, Hadrian, Antoninu - Consist of Volcanic Ash which creates a
s crystal structure that prevents tiny crack from
spreading
- Volcanic Ash + Aggregates

SUPERIMPOSITION
ALL ORDERS IN ONE STRUCTURE

ROMAN BUILDINGS
1.Opus Quadratum – made up of
rectangular blocks of stone with or w/ 1.Domus - Roman House
out mortar joints but frequently secured
with dowels and cramps.
2.Insulae - Roman Apartment
3.Forum - Roman Market Place
2. Opus Incertum – made up of small 4.Thermae - Roman Public Bath
stones laid in a loose pattern roughly as 5.Balneum - Roman Private Bath
sembling the polygonal work. 6.Curia - Roman Senate House
7.Pons - Roman Bridges
3. Opus Recticulatum – fine joints were 8.Aqueducts - Water Supply
in diagonal lines like the meshes of a net
.
9.Triumphal Arches - Emperor’s Victorious
campaign
4. Opus Testaceum – triangular bricks 10.Roman Basilica - Indoor Public Place
( plan) specially made for facing the wall 11.Roman Theater - Semi Circular in Plan
s. 12.The Colosseum - Largest Roman
Amphitheater
5. Opus Mixtum – consisted of bands of 13.Roman Temples - Rectangular or
“tufa” introduced at intervals in the ordi
nary brick facing or alteration of rectang
Circular
ular blocks with small squared stone 14.Pantheon - Roman Temple/ Church
blocks.
 EARLY CHRISTIAN
ARCHITECTURE
Christian writing and material remains (1994).

This distinguishes three different sources of attitudes

affecting early Christians on the issue: "first that humans
could have a direct vision of God; second that they
could not; and, third, that although humans could see
God they were best advised not to look, and were
strictly forbidden to represent what they had seen".

In the Dura-Europos church, of about 230–256, which is i

n the best condition of the surviving very early churches,
there are frescos of biblical scenes including a figure of
Jesus, as well as Christ as the Good Shepherd.
Emperor Constantine I wanted to memorialize his imperial
EARLY CHRISTIAN ARCHITECTURE piety, was the familiar conventional architecture of the
It refers to the preserved works of the first 5 basilica.
centuries CE
(Common Era). Constantinian Basilicas:
For the first 3 centuries after Christ’s death,
Archbasilica of Saint John Lateran
Romans banned Christianity and often
St Mary Major
persecuted Christians.
Old Saint Peter's Basilica
During this period, Christians concealed their
Church of the Holy Sepulchre
religious practices by digging tunnels outside
Church of the Nativity
of Rome.
Saint Sofia Church, Sofia
Centralized Plan
CATACOMBS -are tunnels were underground
Santa Constanza, built as an Imperial mausoleum adjoining
passageways where early Christians could w
a funerary hall, part of the wall of which survives.
orship and bury their dead extended up to 90
Church of St. George, Sofia
miles and 5 level deep.
 EARLY CHRISTIAN
ARCHITECTURE
CONSTANTINE THE GREAT TERMINOLOGIES:
- A roman emperor who ended the slaying of Christians AMBULATORY – a passageway around the apse of church.
BAPTISTERY ANTEPODIUM – a seat behind the choir reserved for the clergy.
BEMA – a stage reserved for the clergy.
• Used only for sacrament of baptism, on festivals of East
CHEVET – the apse, ambulatory, & radiating terminal of a church.
er, Pentecost and Epiphany CLERESTOREY –an upper stage in the church w/ woos. above the
• Large separate building from church, sometimes adjoine adjacent roof
d atrium CLERGY – priest with the religious elders.
DAIS – a raised flat form reserved for the seating of speakers or
dignitaries.
ORATORY – a small private chapel furnished w/ an altar and a crucifix.
REREDOS – an ornamental screen or wall at the back of an altar.
TRANSEPT – the portion of a church crossing the main axis at the right
angle & forming a cruciform plan.
TRIBUNE – a slightly elevated flat form or Dais for the speaker.
TRIFORIUM – roof over the aisles below the clerestory
SEPULCHER – a tomb or a receptacles for relics especially in a Christian
altar.

PARTS OF BASILICAN CHURCH

1.ATRIUM – open rectangular forecourt ,surrounded by arcades which formed as the
approach to the church w/ a fountain at the center, containing water used for “ablution” (a form
of cleansing).
2. NARTHEX – covered area between the atrium & the church and which was assigned to the
penitents.
3. NAVE and THE AISLE – the nave is the central aisle usually lighted by a clear storey of
small windows, w/ an aisle on either side usually half the width of the nave.
4. SANCTUARY – preceded by the “ arch of triumph ” with a high altar in the center standing
free under its “ baldachino” upheld by marble columns.
5. CHOIR – placed in front of the & was enclosed by a low screen walls known as “cancelli”
( hence chancel ) & was provided w/ a pulpit or “ambo” on either side use for reading the epistle
and gospel.
6. APSE – terminal of the church, where “ sanctuary “ is located and the bishop took the central
space. Apse orientation at the east , while the entrance, at the west.
 BYZANTINE
ARCHITECTURE
In the Byzantine or Eastern Orthodox tradition of
Christian art, only flat images or low relief sculptures are
permissible in religious art.

This cultural tradition held that three-dimensional

representations glorified the human aspect of the flesh
rather than the divine nature of the spirit, thus it opposed
3-D
religious imagery.

(The Roman Christians, did not adopt these prohibitions,

thus we still have religious sculpture in Catholic and Prot
estant architecture.)

As it was, the Byzantine style of iconography developed

in a highly stylised manner and aimed to present
complex theology in a very simple way, making it JUSTINIAN I
possible to educate and inspire even the illiterate. – emperor, He regaine
d control of lost lands
For example, colour was very important: gold represent of the Western Roman
ed the radiance of Heaven; red, the divine life; blue was Empire, such as North
the colour of human life; white was the uncreated west Africa,
essence of God, used for example in the icon painting Italy and Spain
of the Resurrection of Christ. Typically, Jesus wears a red
undergarment with a blue outer-garment (signifying Responsible for rebuild
God becoming Human), while Mary wears a blue under ing Hagia
garment with a red outer-garment (signifying that Sophia
humans can actually reach God). For more information,
see: Christian Art (Byzantine Period).
 BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE
It is the architecture of Byzantine Empire also known as “Later Roman” or
“Eastern Roman Empire” Byzantium – became Constantinople, now Istanbul is the
capital city of Roman/ Byzantine Empire in 4th century

DESCRIPTION
• First buildings constructed were churches
• Dumped Early Christian style for new domical Byzantine style
• Byzantine is still official style for Orthodox church

- Plans for churches & baptisteries; rounded arches

, elaborated columns & colors.
- Features the grouping of small domes or
semi-domes around a large central dome.
- Extensive use of “ mosaic decoration”.
- They don’t use campanile and atrium in their
churches.
 BYZANTINE
ARCHITECTURE

Cathedral of St. Demetrius,

Vladimir
MOSQUE OF SELIM II
Meydan, Turkey
ST. MARK’S CATHEDRAL
Venice, Italy

SULEYMANIYE MOSQUE
Istanbul Turkey
HAGIA SOPHIA
2nd largest in the city
“Holy Wisdom/ Divine Wisdom”
2 Minarets - allowed
Church – Mosque – Museum Architects (53
Moscow, Russia built for military conquest Architect
2-537) MIMAR SINAN
Also known as the “TRINITY CATHEDRAL”
1. Isidore of Miletus
Built by “Ivan the Terrible”
2. Anthemius of Tralles
– Grand Prince of Moscow
Hired by Justinian I
Architects: Barma and Postnik