StudentShare
Contact Us
Sign In / Sign Up for FREE
Search
Go to advanced search...
Free

Architectural Complexes - Parthenon in Athens and Colosseum in Rome - Research Paper Example

Cite this document
Summary
The paper "Architectural Complexes - Parthenon in Athens and Colosseum in Rome " highlights that generally, the modern architectural designs show the great influence of ancient Greek architecture along with the essence of modern-day customs and traditions…
Download full paper File format: .doc, available for editing
GRAB THE BEST PAPER91.7% of users find it useful
Architectural Complexes - Parthenon in Athens and Colosseum in Rome
Read Text Preview

Extract of sample "Architectural Complexes - Parthenon in Athens and Colosseum in Rome"

? Select an architectural complex like Parthenon in Athens or Colosseum in Rome and discuss the influence of thatstructure on modern architecture. Introduction Architecture refers to the distinctive and innovative designs of buildings and other constructions. Every civilization throughout the history had its specific architecture and therefore today we have so many historical places all around the globe. The architecture is the real representative of culture, time period and the aesthetic sense of people belonging to a particular region or civilization. Like every other thing architectural complex of past nations such as Parthenon in Athens and Colosseum in Rome also have a direct influence over the modern architecture and the structure of buildings. This paper aims to establish comparison between the architectural techniques of Parthenon and that of the contemporary world. Thereafter conclusion is presented to reflect the overall study of the subject. Discussion of Architecture or Architectural Technique The Parthenon is the most admirable architectural complex in Greece which is also the largest temple in the country. The temple significantly symbolizes all the ideas, way of living, heritage and artistic sense of people of that particular time period. Furthermore it explains the great understanding of the Greek people regarding the use of mathematical formulae so as to build successful structures like Parthenon. The religious beliefs are also represented by the overall architectural structure and the statues it contained. The ancient architects used to construct buildings on huge lands since then there was no significant issue of population. Additionally they had stone walls which actually made their structures so strong that they resisted all the storms, earthquakes and other natural disasters. Use of wood and glass is absent in the architectural remains of Greek civilization which represents that their focus was more towards the rigidity and long lasting life of structures (The Parthenon). The Greek Architecture had a distinctive pattern of buildings with major concentration over the Greek mainland and the Aegean Islands. They had several unique features of their architectural structural and the most prominent among them was the Parthenon in Athens. Greeks had a concept that the optimum success of an architectural design lies in its arithmetic calculations which should be made with the help of comparative analysis and established theories in mathematics. This concept is reflected thorough out the Greek architectural history since they had the most accurate designs based on scientific approach. Parthenon has been built upon the perfect mathematical formula which has equal portions and rhymic correspondence. The whole structure is based upon the entablature areas which are further alienated into different ratios having harmonious and logical relationship among them. In addition to this there is a significant association of columns with the capital. The Greek architects had a firm believe on the perfection of designs and this was something they had never compromised on whether it is architecture or any other field of life. The pillars of Parthenon are made considering its vision from a distant area and due to this they always seems straight. The entasis have very little puffiness and recession of pillars’ structure and columns which is yet another application of mathematical tools and techniques (Greek Architecture). Furthermore the top most parts of the pillars are bended towards the middle point on both sides of the colonnade. The bend deepens as they move towards the end since there is a row of pillars which actually seems in line with each other and show space over the top corner. The pillars are made in such a way that if the colonnade would starts inclination then their pointers will meet one another up in the air. The curve in the middle of the design along with the horizontal lines gives a look of slump in the centre. Parthenon does not have straight lines which is a fact that confers the delicate organic feature to an apparent geometric structure (Greek Architecture). Discussion of Modern Architecture and Architectural Technique In the architectural context the word ‘modern’ does not only represents the prevailing architectural structure and design rather it has a great emphasis over the architectural revolution which took place in the 19th century. Modernism actually deals with the changing attitude of people and society collectively regards some former ideology (Modern Architecture). However, in the case of modernism people show extensive inspiration from the history of art and architecture and that is how the modern architecture came into existence after the blend of some former and prevailing idea. Modern architecture has a great emphasis over the shape, lightening effect, form of the overall structure, transparency, style and the decorative ornaments used in and outside the building. In addition to this they also focus and reflect the culture and local heritage of the society. The modern architecture extensively uses the mathematical calculations which are done with the help of latest technologies. Today architects mostly use timber, stones, bricks, wood and titles for the construction purposes. The modern architecture is also influenced by the population burden and the huge migration of people from rural to urban areas. This has forced the modern day architects to go for something that consumes less space while presenting an attractive outlook. In addition to this they use three dimensional structure which gives spacious stance (Modern Architecture). The most significant example in regard to the modern architecture is that of While House which acts as the administrative head for America located in Washington DC. It is a white color building with columns in the frontier part. The structure is built through arithmetic calculations and geometric representations which is quiet evident from its overall outlook. Furthermore it clearly reflects the cultural heritage and aesthetic sense of Americans (Bliangas). Comparison The modern architecture and architectural techniques are greatly influenced by the ancient architectural complex and therefore they represent an incorporated form of ancient and modern architecture. There are significant examples which prove that the ancient Greek architecture such as that of Parthenon has compelled the modern architects to build something similar to it. Consider the example of White House in Washington DC, its architectural design closely resembles with that of Parthenon. Both the structures have the same outlook i.e. the front of the building is built upon columns or pillars with the help of mathematical calculations which maintain equal distance and great attraction. Additionally they both have the same triangular pediment to give support to the structure. However the small decorative used in the architectural design of Parthenon are not there in the structure of White House (Bliangas). Furthermore Parthenon was built so as to give honor to the Greek Gods and therefore it had a religious outlook and impact over the viewer contrary to this White House plays the role of Administrative Head of the country consequently it has a much sophisticated architectural design. The structural design of columns used by Greeks in their official buildings is now a part of normal house structures. One can find the same sort of galleries and passage ways in the modern architectural designs as they were built by Greeks thousands of years ago. Previously in the ancient times architects used to build walls with the help of stones only while today the modern architects have the advantage of using RCC (reinforced cement concrete) which fulfills the purpose of walls and also gives them a delicate and finished outlook. The use of mathematical calculations and graphs is common between the ancient and modern architectural designs (Bliangas). Conclusion There are a lot of similarities between the ancient Greek Architecture and the Modern Architecture and Architectural Techniques which is quite evident from the structural designs of Parthenon and White House in Washington DC. With the advent of new technologies and immense increase in population modern architects are compelled to build compact structures in order to fulfill the need of populations and also to reflect the artistic sense of people. Due to this majority of the ancient column designs are now used in building small houses. The modern architectural designs show great influence of ancient Greek architecture along with the essence of modern day customs and traditions. Works Cited Bliangas, Jonathan. Ancient Greek to Modern Architecture with Greek Influence. Greek Gateway. 2012. Web. 17 March 2013. Greek Architecture. Visual Arts Cork. 2013. Web. 17 March 2013. Modern Architecture. Columbia University. 2013. Web. 17 March 2013. The Parthenon. Ancient Greece. 2013. Web. 17 March 2013. Read More
Cite this document
  • APA
  • MLA
  • CHICAGO
(“Select an architectual complex like Parthenon in Athens or Colosseum Research Paper”, n.d.)
Select an architectual complex like Parthenon in Athens or Colosseum Research Paper. Retrieved from https://studentshare.org/history/1469641-select-an-architectual-complex-like-parthenon-in
(Select an Architectual Complex Like Parthenon in Athens or Colosseum Research Paper)
Select an Architectual Complex Like Parthenon in Athens or Colosseum Research Paper. https://studentshare.org/history/1469641-select-an-architectual-complex-like-parthenon-in.
“Select an Architectual Complex Like Parthenon in Athens or Colosseum Research Paper”, n.d. https://studentshare.org/history/1469641-select-an-architectual-complex-like-parthenon-in.
  • Cited: 0 times

CHECK THESE SAMPLES OF Architectural Complexes - Parthenon in Athens and Colosseum in Rome

What Are the Political and Cultural Developments of the Ancient and Medieval Eras

The Ancient period is believed to have ended with the fall of the Roman Empire in A.... .... 476, followed by the Medieval Age.... It is believed that it was at this time that the Germanic Tribes took over the area that had previously been under the control of the Romans.... .... ... ... What are the political and cultural developments of the ancient and medieval eras?...
8 Pages (2000 words) Term Paper

The Innovative Ideals of the Roman Architects and Engineers

The idea of how the shape of the colosseum was created is provided.... he underground corridors of the colosseum The arena floor measured 228 feet by 177 feet (crystalinks 3).... It is understood by historians that the name colosseum actually referred to the 'collosus', (crystalinks 2) due to a huge statue of Nero that once stood nearby which was 130 foot high (crystalinks 2).... Exterior walls of the colosseum showing the many arches within the Construction Concrete were a good material to use, as it is stronger in resisting compressive stresses whereas it is very weak when dealing with tensile stress....
20 Pages (5000 words) Essay

Title: Architectural Transformation

technical and functional aspects of western architecture and how these variables changed throughout time, from the classical period of ancient Greece and ancient rome to the postmodern period of the twentieth century.... Even of supposed golden ages or high periods, for instance Periclean Greece or Hadrianic rome, such buildings as the Parthenon and the Pantheon are, as believed by many, the most majestic expressions.... architectural transformation is often unclear to some historians because of the many facets that have to be considered in order to make an accurate general history of the evolution of architecture....
44 Pages (11000 words) Essay

Major Issues and Milestones in Greek Art

he Greek temple layout was based on an architectural design of megaron, a form of building that has been in use since the Bronze Age.... Later around 800B.... .... human and animal forms begun to appear within the Geometric framework.... A Dipylon vase is a very large container of almost two....
10 Pages (2500 words) Essay

Rome: Art and Architecture

Therefore, one can say that the Colosseum served as a political center of power relations and affirmed classical religious belief in rome.... The author of the paper "rome: Art and Architecture" touches upon the architecture of rome.... It is stated that the colosseum is a classical architecture building.... Rather than being accredited with an architect, the construction of the colosseum is accredited a number of emperors, amongst them Emperors Vespasian and Titus....
19 Pages (4750 words) Research Paper

Christian Church Architecture

This essay analyzes that church architecture changed a lot from its early beginnings during Constantine's rule up to the eleventh century; however, at first glance the churches still appear to have many of the same elements.... It initially began as a basilica, and then turned into a domed basilica....
21 Pages (5250 words) Essay

What Is the Fate of the South Korean Great Southern Gate

In this discussion 'What Is the Fate of the South Korean Great Southern Gate?... the author argues against spending a huge amount of money on the restoration of a historic monument, ragged by fire, directing their recreation to other national monuments, assistance to North Korea or other needs.... ...
15 Pages (3750 words) Coursework

Development of Architecture

Stereotypically, war brings a lot of harm and ruins, however, in the architectural world, it brought some opposite effects.... This essay "Development of Architecture" focuses on the main factors, namely, reconfiguration, revolution and recuperation.... They have so far forced the architectures to respond to conditions and challenges in a certain manner, which later led a major role in evolving architecture....
6 Pages (1500 words) Essay
sponsored ads
We use cookies to create the best experience for you. Keep on browsing if you are OK with that, or find out how to manage cookies.
Contact Us