HISTORY OF

ARCHITECTURE
NAME: Maurice Christian Chukwuka

REG NO: 20211269234

 CONTENT

▪ INTRODUCTION
▪ EARLY MEN ERA
▪ EGYPTIAN ERA
▪ GREEK ERA
▪ ROMAN ERA
▪ EARLY CHRISTIAN ERA
▪ BYZANTINE ERA
▪ CONCLUSION
 INTRODUCTION

▪ The fascinating journey through the evolution of human imagination and ingenuity that is the
history of architecture spans millennia and encompasses a multitude of civilizations and
cultures. Every era has added to the rich tapestry of architectural heritage that affects our built
environment today, from the modest beginnings of early shelters made by prehistoric peoples to
the enormous feats of ancient empires. Through an examination of the unique characteristics
and noteworthy instances from significant eras including the Early Men, Egyptian, Greek,
Roman, Early Christian, and Byzantine periods, we can acquire a deeper understanding of the
immense influence that architecture has on human civilization and culture.
 EARLY MEN ERA

▪ The Early Men Era, sometimes referred

to as the Prehistoric Era, begins from the
beginning of human civilization and
ends approximately 3000 BCE. The
majority of people at this time were
hunter-gatherers who lived nomadic
lifestyles and made makeshift homes out
of wood, leaves, and animal hides.
These buildings were straightforward
and provided the necessary shelter from
the weather and predators. Famous
examples are the prehistoric cave
paintings that decorate places like
France's Lascaux Cave, which show
scenes from everyday life as well as
animals.
 France's Lascaux Cave
A network of caves near the village of Montignac, in the department of Dordogne
in southwestern France. Over 600 parietal wall paintings cover the interior walls
and ceilings of the cave. The paintings represent primarily large animals, typical
local contemporary fauna that correspond with the fossil record of the Upper
Paleolithic in the area. They are the combined effort of many generations. With
continued debate, the age of the paintings is now usually estimated at around
17,000 years (early Magdalenian).
 EGYPTIAN ERA

▪ Massive, symmetrical buildings became

popular throughout the Egyptian Era, which
lasted from around 3000 to 30 BCE. The
massive stone constructions of Egyptian
architecture, such as pyramids, obelisks, and
temples, are well known. Sphinx, Temple of
Karnak, and Great Pyramid of Giza are a few
famous examples. Important architectural
elements include the use of symmetry to
construct intimidating structures that
reflected the pharaohs' power and authority,
large stone blocks, and intricate wall
engravings known as hieroglyphs.
 Giza pyramid complex

The pyramids, which were built during the Fourth Dynasty, are evidence of the power
and religion of the Pharaonic Empire. They were built as monuments as a way to keep
their names alive. The scale and straightforward design demonstrate the high caliber of
large-scale Egyptian design and engineering. The Great Pyramid of Giza is the oldest
in the Giza complex, the largest pyramid globally, and the only remaining structure
among the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. It was most likely finished around
2580 BC.

The three main pyramids at Giza, together with subsidiary pyramids and the remai
of other structures at the Giza pyramid complex
GREEK ERA

▪ The Greek Era, which lasted from the

ninth to the first century BCE, saw a
noteworthy shift in architectural
principles toward harmony, proportion,
and aesthetic beauty. Columns, pillars,
and entablatures are significant
elements in Greek architectural design
for temples. The Parthenon in Athens,
the Epidaurus Theatre, and the Temple
of Artemis in Ephesus are among the
most well-known. The Corinthian,
Doric, and Ionic orders of columns, as
well as the development of the Golden
Ratio idea to reach architectural
perfection, are important architectural
elements.
 Temple of Artemis

The sanctuary of Artemis, commonly referred to as the Temple of

Diana, was a Greek temple devoted to a historical, regional constitute
of the divinity Artemis. It was in Ephesus (near Selçuk, Turkey).. By
AD 401, it was wrecked or destroyed. Only the foundations and
remains of the final temple remain on the site.
 ROMAN ERA
The numerous well-known buildings
and structures that have endured for
centuries are testaments to the amazing
engineering and architectural prowess
of the ancient Roman Empire.

These Roman structures, which still

enthrall and inspire tourists from all
over the world, have left an enduring
impression on the world, from the
magnificent Colosseum to the exquisite
detail of the Pantheon.
 The Roman Pantheon

The Roman Pantheon belongs to the most renowned and well-preserved

representations of ancient Roman architecture. Designed by Marcus
Agrippa as a place of worship to all the gods in 27 BC, Hadrian the
emperor remodeled it in 120 AD. From then, it has served some purposes,
including a church from the seventh century.
 EARLY CHRISTIAN ERA

▪ The Early Christian Era, which lasted from

the fourth to the seventh centuries CE, was
a watershed moment in architectural
history, with Christianity emerging as the
dominant cultural and religious force in the
Roman Empire. Early Christian
architecture drew significantly on Roman
construction traditions, but it also
integrated Christian symbolism and
devotion.
▪ This era saw the evolution of architectural
forms that would later shape the
development of Byzantine architecture.
Between 319 and 333 AD, Emperor Constantine the Great
founded the fourth-century church known as Old St. Peter's
Basilica. It was conventional basilical in design, with a
large nave, two aisles on each side, an apsidal end, and a
transept or bema that gave the structure the shape of a tau
cross.
 ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES OF THE EARLY CHRISTIAN ERA

▪ Basilica Plan: To facilitate congregational prayer, early Christian

churches had a rectangular structure with a semicircular apse, side
aisles, and a central nave.
▪ Centralized Plan: To promote unity and symbolize the significance of
Christ, several churches used centralized layouts centered around
domes or octagons.
▪ Apses and Altars: An apse at the eastern end housing the altar,
representing the significance of the Sacrament and Christ's
resurrection.
▪ Exquisite mosaics that depicted holy concepts and stoked believers'
devotion covered walls, ceilings, and floors.
 BYZANTINE ARCHITECTURE

Numerous distinguishing features can

be found in Byzantine architecture. It
is most easily recognized as religious
buildings with clerestories, domes,
pendentives, mosaics, composite
order capitals, and central-plan
designs.
ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES OF THE BYZANTINE
ERA

▪ Centralized Plan: A central dome or

structure resembling a dome served as the
focal point of many Byzantine buildings,
especially churches.

▪ Domes: Known for its widespread use,

byzantine architecture exudes grandeur and
spaciousness through the use of domes,
which are frequently supported by
pendentives or squinches.

▪ Use of Brick and Mortar: Byzantine builders

frequently used cutting-edge methods such
ornamental brickwork and brick bonding
patterns, and they were particularly fond of
using brick and mortar.

The Myrelaion, Constantinople

 CONCLUSION

To sum up, the history of architecture is a tribute to the human race's unending
inventiveness, tenacity, and inventiveness. Every epoch has left an enduring imprint
on the built environment, influencing how we view and engage with the world
around us, from the crude shelters of early civilizations to the breathtaking
monuments of ancient empires and the sublime grandeur of medieval cathedrals.