Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome Peer Reviews

Ancient Greece:

I really enjoyed Alex R.'s description of the various periods of Greek history as well as her examples of current applications. The photos really captured the essence of Greek design and were beautiful representations of the key features from that period.

I also enjoyed Sammy's descriptions of Greek homes, including how they used windows to prevent high heat and provide security. She also discussed how they built their homes to gather water, which really helps give perspective on how people lived their daily lives in Ancient Greece.

Ancient Rome:

I enjoyed Cally's description of how Romans used concrete in their building. This was a world-changing development, so it was really cool learn more about how they managed to build their version of sky scrapers without our modern machinery.

I also read Stephanie's blog, and she did a good job of explaining the importance of the Colosseum and the photos helped show the architectural features that this structure had.

Ancient Rome

Similar to Greece, Ancient Rome is credited with assisting in the spread of art and civilization. During its height of power, it was the greatest power west of China. They also developed the methods to create arches, barrel vaults, domes, and concrete. These developments were demonstrated in famous structures like the Colosseum and the Pantheon. The Colosseum was able to seat an astounding 50,000 people and has served as a prototype for modern sports arenas. It hosted a variety of entertainment, including the famous gladiator fights.

Finished in 126 AD, the Pantheon was built as a temple to multiple Roman gods. Today, it still stands as the largest un-reinforced concrete dome in the world. The Oculus dome of the Pantheon stands at 142 ft high with a 142 ft in diameter. It was commissioned by Marcus Agrippa, who also renovated the Maison Carree, another Roman temple. the Maison Carree features many of the classic Roman architectural features, including a stylobate, deep porch, Corinthian columns.

The residences of Roman citizens included insula "apartment" buildings, domus private townhouses, and villa country houses. The interiors of Roman architecture often included mosaics, stucco, fresco designs, and often had patterned floors. These depicted landscape scenes, figures, and building, as well as trompe l'oiel scenes. They had an obsession with ornamentation and favored black, gilt, and red colors. Roman furniture was made of wood, metal, and stone. Stools, or sella, were seats of honor and symbolized legal authority. Romans also developed the first wicker chairs during this time. These pieces of furniture, design trends, and building techniques are still used regularly today and have been a great influence on our current world.

A Roman trompe l'oeil mural

Current Examples

 

A room featuring wicker furniture, as invented by the Romans

 

A librarybuilt with a Roman-style dome ceiling

 

A room influenced by the traditional Roman wall murals and decorative accents with a bust and Roman-style Chaise lounge.

 

 

Here's an interesting video on the development of concrete in Ancient Rome:



 

Ancient Greece

The Classical Greece civilization brings to mind renowned scholars, the beginnings of science and democracy, and a rise in the fine arts. These contributions have stood throughout time and still affect our world today. One of the most easily recognized aspects of Greek design is columns, which can be seen in buildings like the Parthenon. The construction of this temple uses various techniques to give the illusion of symmetry when viewed from a distance, The columns at the Parthenon, as well as other structures built during this time, provide examples of the Classic Orders of Architecture. These orders include the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian styles of columns.

Another impressive trait of Greek design were the the mosaic designs used on floors. These designs used geometric patterns like the Greek key, or else depicted mythological figures, animals, or flowers. They showed similar scenes on the walls, but this was more frequently done through plastering and painting them rather than through mosaic.

Furniture during this time was made with copper, bronze, iron, marble, and wood and was often inlaid with gold, ivory, and gems. Some of these pieces include the klismos, diphros, and kline. The diphros was especially impressive as it was the first version of a folding chair, similar to those we use today. The styles of the furniture still serve as inspiration today, and the architectural characteristics they developed can be seen in buildings across the world. Looking at the designs that they created, we can better understand their daily lifestyle and see why their impact has endured through the years

Current Examples

Interior with characteristic ionic column, Greek fret pattern, and blue and white colors.

Modern klismos style chair

Bathroom with Greek style mural, including Greek key pattern.

This video provides a look into ancient Greek temples and how they were constructed:

http://education-portal.com/academy/lesson/ancient-greek-art-and-architecture-dorian-ionic-corinthian.html

Ancient Civilization

After the Pre-Historic period, great advancements were made in society. Structured governments, cities, and industries began to develop in stable locations, rather than the nomadic structure that had been prevelent before. Ancient Egypt in particular saw great advances in their architecture and design, which became highly decorative. Situated alone the Nile River, they used imported timber as well as local acacia, palm, and sycamore and were heavily influenced by their surrounding vegetation. Lotus blossoms in particular were incorporated into many of their designs. Some stone was also used, but they primarily constructed walls and bricks using mud.

The buildings and furniture that they used, particularly those used for religious purposes or the homes of high-ranking individuals, included ornate designs that reflected their beliefs and daily life. Images of gods and goddesses, historical events and figures, and daily activities were depicted in fresco mural paintings, inscriptions, relief sculptures, and towering statues.

They also incorporated a great deal of columns made of sand stone. Temples and palaces in particular were build in the hypostyle that relied of these columns to support the roof. Colors began to increase in intesity, including yellow and black most commonly. Gilded items were also used regularly to adorn rooms. The high level of intricate design carried onto every surface, from the floors to the walls to the ceilings, with designs inspired heavily by plant life and wildlife.

Furniture began to be developed with a great deal more focus on the comfort and style of the pieces. With the lack of wood,  Egyptians learned to incorporate materials like leather, bone, ivory, colored glass, and semi-previous stones as well. Their technology included the developments of techniques like mortise and tenon joins, dovetail joints, and dowels, which we still use today. Their contibutions to design have lasted as long as their legacy and prove the importance of this period.

Current Examples

 

A modern bedroom inspired by Egyptian style

 



Elevator doors from the Art Deco period, using lotus blossom design from Ancient Egypt

 

 

A Thomas Hope setee incorporating Ancient Egyptian characteristics

This video is a great look into Ancient Egyptian architecture and interior design as you experience a virtual tour of a city:

 

 

 

Peer Review:

 

I really enjoyed Nichole's description of the Mesopotamian accomplishments, like the development of urban planning. I also thought it was very interesting that the Mesopotamians designed their buildings to protrude and recede in certain spots in order to create patterns with their shadows.

 

I also enjoyed the photo that Paige S. posted of The Great Hypostyle Hall. The relief sculptures are beautiful, and the man shown in the picture helps give perspective of the magnitude of these columns. It's incredible to think about just how massive they are and how impressive it is that they were created so long ago by people who didn't have modern equipment and tools that we use today. 

Pre-Historic Design

The pre-historic period gives us a great deal of insight into the way people lived during a time when survival was their main focus. They took advantage of their surroundings and the resources they had at hand in order to find shelter and escape the elements. Doing this included the use of pit houses, caves, and igloos, depending on their geographical location. These homes rarely included decorative elements since they were mostly just focused being functional and protective as they were a vital means of survival. They did, however, sometimes include paintings on the walls depicting details of their lives like animals and activities.

Unlike our homes today, these dwellings often not include furniture, largely because people were nomadic. Instead, they again relied on their resources around them by using items like straw, hay, and pelts. They did also weave blankets, which were one of the most decorative things in this period as they incorporated colors and patterns that were significant to their group, religion, or traditions. Although the ruins and artifacts from this period are limited, it gives us an important look into the lives of early civilization and their basic needs.

The impact of the pre-historic era can still be seen in the designs of today as well:

 A custom Tom Spina chair designed to look like the rough rock furnishings of pre-historic homes.

A bedroom inspired by the cave homes of the pre-historic era.

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A home built into the large rock formation around it

There is also an interesting video of a pre-historic village that was discovered in Tuscany. The photos show artifacts that were left by the people who lived there.

Peer Review:

Alexandra did a great job of describing each of the three pre-historic time periods and going into detail about their characteristics. I also enjoyed the video of Stonehenge that allowed a closer look since you normally just see photos of the site. 

Emma included a very interesting photo of the Gulf of Cambay in India, which shows evidence of sunken city from 9,500 B.C. Since this is before it was thought that humans were capable of building cities of that size, it's interesting to see just how much we still have to learn about pre-historic people.