In Akkad and Persian Architecture, General

Mesopotamia and Persia

Architecture

The Ziggurat

The ziggurat was a tall tower staggered, which took over a platform lifted upward, and may have up to seven stories. Architecturally represented a contribution to the problem of accumulation. Climb up them ramps. At the top is a small unit dedicated to the worship of a different protective deity in each temple. The polychrome walls in various colors. In some cases, the temple has a double ziggurat, like Anu-Abad (the father and son). The most important are the Ur-Namu (near Ur), and of Marduk in Babylon. Are precursors of Arab minaret and tower Christian.

The Temple

Not a building but a small town. Generally rectangular in plan, with rooms for the priests, and others dedicated to administrative life, including barns and places for brewing. They rose on platforms, and access, as well as the palace is by means of ramps and stairways. The center and heart of the temple is the ziggurat. Inside the temple can be palaces.

The Palace

Ensemble that also contained the offices for the king, all departments for the administration of the goods, and control them. Built on plinths or platforms. Shortage of bays. Attached to the wall, between the Assyrian palaces become fortress, defending the city in the most vulnerable. The canvases (portion of a wall between two bastions or cubes) of its walls (internal) are decorated with reliefs and glazed ceramics. Many rooms open onto large patios. In Persia were built of stone, and were especially luxurious. Under the influence of the Greek world as a supporter took the column (inspired by the Corinthian), and the lintel. Highlights of Rorsabad, Lagash, Nineveh, Susa and Persepolis, Nimrud and Mari. Serve as a model for Roman palaces.

The City

Well drawn, grid layout (floor consisting of square or rectangular), water supply in many cases. Walled pit towers and even empowering. The wall paintings in their doors decorated with glazed ceramics consist of an area in which they are situated the palace, the temple (with ziggurat) and areas devoted to housing. A belt around fields where the farmer gets to carry supplies for distribution in the temple or palace. Long operational life as city-states. The most splendid city of Babylon was achieved, is a display of splendor and luxury, the hanging gardens embellished. Its architects wanted to push the limits as to the height of buildings (the Tower of Babel)