Greece

westonmana — 2024-07-11 02:48:59 UTC

The Greek society was the birthplace of the Classical style, a style befitting a culture of sophistication and purpose. From this elegant style comes one of the greatest landmarks of Greece, the Parthenon. The Parthenon (from the Greek word Parthenos, or “maiden”), a temple dedicated to the goddess Athena, was built comprising many very classic Greek architectural methods: post-and-lintel construction, the lack of mortar use to revere Egyptian construction, symmetry, clarity, and regularity. The Greek Parthenon was built for the same purpose as all other Classical architecture, to be used daily by its citizenry. This represents the highest form of ideal society: one that can make such elegant, lasting structures not for the glory of the construction or for the reverence of its king, but for the citizens of its flourishing society to use and appreciate as a regular facet of daily life.

Rome

westonmana — 2024-07-11 02:49:04 UTC

Much like their Greek predecessors, the Roman Republic was a society that was defined by its sophistication and magnificence. The Romans were able to enjoy a life of relative calm and ease due to their expansive might across Europe and Africa, and were able to usher in an era of peace for their peoples, the Pax Romana, or “Peace in Rome.” This great peace that they had established for themselves led to some of their greatest achievements, one of which being their construction of the Colosseum in Rome. This structure was a grand stadium built several stories high, seating a total of over 50,000 citizens. Much like the Greeks before them, the Romans built their structures to be used by their populace. In the case of the Colosseum, it served to provide free entertainment for the masses, part of the “bread and circuses” philosophy of leadership to promote loyalty amongst Romans. The Romans heavily relied upon the Classical styles defined by the Greeks, and revered their architectural marvels. In the Colosseum, all three Classical architectural orders of columns (Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian) make up the structure of the oval-walls that surround the main floor of the massive entertainment structure. The Colosseum is a testament to the glory of the Roman Empire, one that could provide enough peace and security for her people that would allow the construction of such a luxurious landmark.

Week Five: Padlet Assignment by

Greece

Rome