Egypt-Greece-Rome Summary

Below are some major ideas from what we can see today of the Ancient Egyptian, Grecian, and Roman structures and artifacts.

The permanence of Egyptian architecture is astounding, as its monumental presence can still be on looked 5000 years after when we believe structures like the pyramids existed. In a society focusing on the eternal after life though, it makes sense to some degree that we still have evidence of their presence today. The main lessons are the preservation of the building, which holds simple principals like stacking, developed to be able to penetrate the sky in an attempt to reach the heavens on earth. The post-lintel system also used by the Egyptians carried in through in not only holding up their structures, but also filtering light, and in turn controlling temperature through the development of the column. (Example: Hypothstyle hall) Scale-wise the ancient structures were massive using mainly stone. Artifacts left behind like furniture were made out of wood protected and existing today perhaps only because of the lasting structures that preserved them.

The Grecian culture focused on finding the perfect balance and order. More stylized columns were developed out of stone to support the post-lintel system seen in many of the monumentally scaled temples. (Example: Parthenon) The study of mathematics is evident in their building seen in their attempts to achieve this perfect balance and order, especially through proportions. The corner columns of various temples are even thicker than others to create the illusion of balance from the perspective of an on looker coming up to the temple. The Greek art preserved today shows much more humanistic figures than Egyptian art but still was used partially to depict actions and stories.

Ancient Rome took the Greek structures they observed and garnished and advance d many of the forms. A great example of this would be the more elaborate of the column orders; the Corinthian. The Romans achieved many feats such as the arch, which changed architecture then forward. Focusing on symmetry, balance and order, the immense scaled temples, bathhouses, basilica, coliseum, aqueduct, domes, markets, and villas are all productions of a culture seeking perfection. Artwork found in the form of mosaics was often colorful and meant to advertise, tell stories, and hold symbolism.