Comparing Islamic and Arabic Architecture Essay

Religion has played a huge role in the history of the world of architecture. We can get a deeper look in the minds and attitudes of people when we look at their beliefs – specifically their religion. But even though religion played a huge role in the approach to architecture, the pursuit of beauty and power can also explain to us the approaches and the outlooks of those who built or designed buildings from the ancient world.

There exist three basic components of traditional Islamic art: calligraphy, geometric patterns, and floral and vegetal motifs. These three stylistic tools are beautifully rendered and masterfully integrated into complex works of art, but there is no question that artistic expression is severely limited under these categorizations. However, this limitation stems from Islamic theology and concept of art. The main reason for the limitation imposed on visual art is the Islamic theological prohibition of figural imagery. Social laws presented in the Hadith prevented the representation of figures because any imitation was deemed idolatrous. Also, art is considered to be decorative and imitative. Script and patterns are used to decorate

While the Hagia Sophia and the Pantheon were built in and represent two different time periods and locations, they have some similar structural features as well as some resembling circumstances surrounding their prospective histories. Both of their unique construction is related to their different purposes and the symbolism behind the buildings. The Pantheon represents a time in which the Roman empire was booming with trade and commerce. There was a growing interest in art and sculpture as well as religion. There was also an emphasis on imperialism and the strength and power of the emperor. The transition from the Roman to the Byzantine empire took place under the emperor, Constantine and it happened around 330 C.E. He moved the capital from Rome to Byzantion and renamed the city Constantinople meaning the city of Constantine, which is modern day Istanbul. This was also a huge intersection in the east-west trade. He then changed the official religion of the empire to Christianity which created a major shift in structures, works of art, and lifestyle dynamics. The emperor was now seen as the head of the church, and in 391 C.E. all temples and forms of the pagan cult that dominated the Roman Empire were closed and banned.

The Middle Ages, also known as the Medieval era, though scarred with a history of violence and war, has given the world some of the most marvelous and beautiful pieces of art, particularly in architecture. The Middle Ages is the name given to the time period from the late 5th century to the 15th century, particular to European history. The construction of these types of buildings was a constant for various cultures for a thousand years. They can be categorized into three phases; Pre-Romanesque, Romanesque and Gothic. The most important buildings during medieval times were religious, defensive and governmental or power related.

It is the intention of this paper to take an insightful look at two significantly major historical empires, the Ottoman Empire and the Safavid Empire. According to Quataert, “the Ottoman Empire was one of the greatest, long lasting and most extensive empires in the history of the world” (3). At its height, the Ottoman Empire had a reign of 600 years and during the 15th and 16th century was recognized as one of the most powerful states on the world’s stage. The Ottoman Empire shared its place of significance with several other places of influence, England, Spain, Rome, France and the Dutch Empire to the west and the Safavid state and the Moghul Empire to the east.

Every religion has its own approach to art and architecture. An assessment between different traditions can offer an illuminating insight into the varying religious outlooks and theologies. Architecture, as well as art, is influenced by a number of forces in society, in the environment, in the psychology of the people who produce it, and in different institutions. It is an expression of inner feelings and beliefs and so naturally is influenced by religion in many societies. Religious architecture is created to experience the sacred, to provide a place into which spiritual energies flow and reflect a sense of the divine. Some

The Ottoman and Persian empires were neighboring empires that had been closely linked for centuries. In fact, the Ottoman empire was preceded by Turks who were deeply rooted in persian culture. While both empires have waged a significant number of wars on each other, it is clear that the culture of both the Ottoman and Persian empires were heavily influenced by each other.

The domes of heaven, also known as Hadrian’s Pantheon and Justinian’s Hagia Sophia, are two astounding massive works of art. They both have similarities such as having domes on top of the groundwork, both incorporating effective use of space, and both work with natural light. But, these structures differ in many ways as well.

There were riots which led to Hagia being destroyed. Emperor Justinian had Anthemius & Isidorus rebuilt it. The Hagia Sophia supported the dome using pendentives. The central dome sits on top of a ring of windows which gives a mystical effect that it is floating on heavenly light and not masonry. The light shines off the mosaics and marble walls and floor defining the space. The dome is 108 feet across and 180 high. Its interior has colored stones from around the world along the floors and walls. It has Christian mosaics on the walls. The use of pendentives made buttresses, large internal northern and southern walls, and eastern and western half domes to necessary. The pendentives transfer the weight from the dome to the piers beneath instead of to the walls. The walls were concealed and not sufficient suggests although the scale and monumentality of the Hagia Sophia were similar to Roman the design was not according to Roman ways. Bricks were used instead of concrete, it included columns and buttresses, it has eight supporting piers, and semicircular half-domes , while the Pantheon did

This essay will be about two structures that were built by two different cultures. One was built in Greece and the other was built in Rome. Both structure have the classical style of architecture but were built in two different time periods. Both started out with the same function. One of the two structures are no longer standing in all its glory and the other is still standing and being used today.

Firstly, the reason that both of these architectures were built were for religious reasons they both were used for prayer and worship and they are still used to this day for the same reason. Also, both of these building had been partially burnt down after they were built and were both rebuild. Inside both of the churches there are gods or saints that the people would go and pray to their gods. They also both have multiple entrances to go inside the building and both have false entrances into the inside of the building built into

Greek and Roman temples are the most influential temples of all times. It is argued that the Greek influenced the Romans and this may be the reason why their temples are so alike. The Parthenon and the Pantheon are the most popular temples of both eras. However, the Pantheon does not look like other roman temples would to Greek temples – and this is because it has interior space and thus has a completely different composition. Despite their quite similar looks, Roman and Greek temples have unique differences in material, method, purpose, and others.

Art is represented by a multitude of ways that convey its inner meaning visually to the audience. Throughout each civilization, art changes and is displayed differently based on religion and many other factors that may come into effect. For example, religious Islamic and Christian art are not similar to each other at first glance nor are they alike in every aspect. Even so, the beautifully sculpted art pieces displayed for both religions stand as a representation of their faith and how profound it can actually be. The few differences would be in the various illustrations, architecture, and way of displaying the art piece.

While one went with simplistic and another went complex and detail in artwork. The Süleymaniye Mosque shows white marble mihrab and mimbar are simple in design with simple designs in ivory. The original complex consisted of the mosque itself, a hospital, school, public baths, four Qur'an schools, a medical college, and a public kitchen. The The Shah Mosque of Isfahan show the best of the Safavid, the complex, delicate and amazing detail artwork in architecture. The entrance-iwan to the mosque takes the form of a semicircle, a recessed half-moon, the arch framed by turquoise ornament and decorated detail stalactite tilework, the two minarets, topped by beautifully carved, wooden balconies with many stalactites running down the

Distinguishable characteristics like the form, method of construction, regional features, and the materials used to make a building or any other construction, which helps in identifying that structure amongst others are what comprise an architectural style. Architectural styles have a vast diversity as they represent changes in beliefs, religion, fashion, and the invention of new technology over a broad time period. Over the ages, different empires would rule over a region with each ruler of those empires having their own unique perspective on their religion. Subsequently, when new empires would come in power, they would then take inspiration from the previous empire’s architecture and add or remove characteristics from the architecture based on their personal religious perspectives.