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Period: 3500 BCE to 530
Ancient Mediterranean
"The Pyramids of Giza." Famous Wonders of the World Best Places to Visit See Travel Pictures The Pyramids of Giza Comments. N.p., 2015. Web. 23 Jan. 2017. "Khan Academy." Khan Academy. N.p., 2016. Web. 23 Jan. 2017. Verein Zur Förderung Des Ägyptischen Museums Und Papyrussammlung Berlin E.V. "Society for the Promotion of the Egyptian Museum Berlin." Amarna Period: (Society for the Promotion of the Egyptian Museum Berlin). N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Jan. 2017. -
3000 BCE
White Temple and its ziggurat. Uruk. Sumeria. Sumerian
The ziggurat played a crucial role in the everyday life of the Sumerians. It represented the power of the gods and goddesses and the role of their deity in their culture. The White temple was created to show the powerful effect worship had on the people of ancient Sumeria, it was where they went to worship. The way it was constructed would have made it impossible not to admire the craftsmanship, as one would have to walk all the way around the structure to reach the entrance. -
2470 BCE
Great Pyramids (Menkaura, Khafre, Khufu) and the Great Sphinx. Giza, Egypt.Egyptian
The Great Pyramids were a huge advancement in ancient architecture, their sheer size and perfected symmetry made them one of the seven wonders of the world. Each pyramid was made specifically for a certain king, so the three pyramids were each devoted to a different king. It took three generations to create them. The shape of the pyramid was a nod to the sun and represented the regeneration of the deceased. -
1353 BCE
Akhenaton, Nerfitii, and three daughters. New Kingdom (Amarna), 18th Dynasty. Egyptian
Akhenaten turned away from the traditional polytheistic beliefs and decided to follow one god changing the way things were done in Egypt. This included art, where he dramatically changed the way people were portrayed. The way they are proportioned is typical of the Amarna period. His belief in the one god, Aten, is depicted in the placement of the sun in this piece. It is placed in the top center above everyone. This piece shows the private life of the king. -
1275 BCE
Last Judgment of Hu-Nefer, from his tomb (page from the Book of the Dead). New Kingdom, 19th Dynasty. Egyptian
This piece shows the steps to judgment in the afterlife. Hunefer is brought to weigh his heart against a feather by Anubis. It is believed that if your heart weighs the same as a feather that you are pure and good, while if your hearts weighs more then you are depicted as being bad. The high quality of the Book of the Dead shows Hunefers high class amongst his people. -
532 BCE
Hagia Sophia. Constantinople (Istanbul). Anthemius of Tralles and Isidorus of Miletus.
The Hagia Sophia was an important monument for both the byzantine and ottoman empires. Throughout the decades is has become a site of cultural significance, from its use as church to a museum in its later years. The inside of the Hagia Sophia is covered in mosaics. Most of the mosaics depict the Virgin Mary, Jesus, saints and emperors or empresses. Many of these were destroyed during the fourth crusade, reconstruction of the pieces is underway but many were lost in an earthquake. -
Period: 532 BCE to
Early Europe and Colonial Americas 1
Kim. "Catholic Pilgrims in Rome." November 2014. N.p., 01 Jan. 1970. Web. 30 Jan. 2017. http://catholicpilgrimsinrome.blogspot.com/2014_11_01_archive.html.
"Khan Academy." Khan Academy. N.p., n.d. Web. 01 Feb. 2017.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Court_of_the_Lions
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alhambra
"Visit the Catacombs." Visit the Catacombs. N.p., 2015. Web. 01 Feb. 2017. http://www.catacombepriscilla.com/visita_catacomba_en.html. -
200 BCE
Catacomb of Priscilla. Rome, Italy.Late Antique Europe.
The depictions on the walls of the Catacombs depicts the creator's faith in God's salvation. They date back to the second half of the third century. The chapel part of the catacombs is decorated with paintings and stuccos in the Pompeian style. There are also several depictions from the bible. Found in one of the niche's of the catacomb is a depiction of the Virgin Mary with Jesus sitting on her knee, this is thought to be the oldest depiction of her in existence. -
520
Audience Hall (apadana) of Darius and Xerxes. Persepolis, Iran. Persian.
The audience hall is structured as a hypostyle hall, meaning it's supported by several rows of columns. At the top of some of the columns, there are sets of animals heads, representing authority. Along the sides, subjects of the 23 nations are depicted offering tribute to their king. The size of the apadana itself shows the power of the Persian King and his dominance over those in under his authority. -
Feb 6, 1066
Bayeux Tapestry. Romanesque Europe (English or Norman)
The Bayeux tapestry depicts the struggle between William, the Duke of Normandy, and the Earl of Wessex for the throne of England. It has seventy-five scenes that all lead up to the Norman Conquest and the Battle of Hastings in 1066. Though it is named a tapestry it is not truly one, because of the images being sewed onto linen cloth not woven. The tapestry is thought to be made in England, commissioned by Bishop Odo. -
Feb 6, 1354
Alhambra Palace. Granada, Spain. Nasrid Dynasty.
The palace was created originally as a fortress, palace, and city making its distinctive features explainable. Yusuf I and Mohammed V are responsible for most of the additions of the Alhambra we see today. The courtyard of the Lions inside the palace uses the proportions of the golden ratio. The courtyard demonstrates the complexity of Islamic geometric design – the varied columns are placed so they are symmetrical on numerous axes. -
Virgin (Theotokos) and Child between Saints Theodore and George. Early Byzantine Europe.
The artwork shows the Virgin (Theotokos) and Child flanked by two soldier saints, St. Theodore to the left and St. George at the right. Above these are two angels who gaze upward to the hand of God, from which light emanates, falling on the Virgin. The light and dark tones of the piece give the Virgin an ethereal glow to further depict her status as touched by god, while the dark edges draw the eye right towards her and the child.
