pyramids and ziggurats Essays - 880 Words

There are many similarities (and differences) between Ancient Egyptian Pyramids, Mesopotamian ziggurats, and the pyramids of Pre-Columbian South America. All of them had major significance for their peoples cultures and religious beliefs, as well as having historic significance today. The greatest parallel between all of these ancient skyscrapers is that they were made for the upper echelons of these now defunct civilizations. nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;The Egyptians built the most of these cultures. Over 90 royal pyramids were produced between roughly 2500 BC – 1500 BC. A daunting task considering that most of these pyramids were built nowhere near the supplies needed to make them. Giant stones were used, over a million for each†¦show more content†¦nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;nbsp;Paralleling the pyramids in Egypt were the ziggurats of Mesopotamia. Mesopotamia (meaning between two rivers, the Tigress and Euphrates) began making these structures around roughly 2000 BC. They were made of bricks that they produced on the building’s work site. There were sun-dried bricks to make up the solid inside of the ziggurat, and there were kiln fired bricks that made up the structures faà §ade. These bricks were much smaller than the stones used in Egypt and also did not have to be brought from far away. Some of the ziggurats were built on top of older ones. Like Egyptian pyramids, the ziggurat was belie ved to be a kind of gateway between heaven and earth, but unlike the pyramids, the ziggurats where not tombs for kings. Rather they were believed to be the earthly homes of gods. Egyptians built their massive structures outside of major populated areas. But the ziggurats were in prominent areas. Cities had their own patron god or goddess (some places even had two ziggurats, one for a god of both sexes) and priests were the only ones allowed into these temples. They had the honor of catering to the needs of the gods and were powerful figures in their respective communities. Mesopotamians also built the Tower of Babel, which was supposed to have been built as bridge from earth to heaven. It was most likely located in Neo-Babylonia (home of the Hanging Gardens) and was also one ofShow MoreRelatedEssay about Ur and Djoser709 Words   |  3 PagesZiggurat of Ur and Stepped Pyramid of Djoser: A Comparison Joseph Katz Art History 100-26 Dr. Karl F. Schuler 10/6/11 Title: Ziggurat of Ur Period: Neo-Sumerian Provenance: Ur, Iraq Date: 2150 BC The â€Å"Ziggurat of Ur† was built in 2150 BC by the Gutians. First, let’s discuss what exactly a ziggurat is. A ziggurat is a superstructure built on top and around a mountain. On the very top was a temple. Ziggurats were made out of only mud brick. One may ask, why use mud brick? Compared toRead MoreThe Two Pieces Of Paintings963 Words   |  4 Pagesto compare were the Ziggurat of Ur in Iraq and the Great Stupa in India. The first piece of Artwork was originally located in the city of Ur, it is called the Ziggurat of Ur. The Ziggurat of Ur was built by the Sumerians. The Sumerians were the first group of people in Mesopotamia, known as the cradle of civilization. They invented the first form of writing known as cuneiform, along with the wheel. Sumerians worshipped many Gods and Goddesses in temples or located in ziggurats (Gateways to Art,Read MoreAncient Architecture : Ancient And Medieval Architecture1015 Words   |  5 Pagesinfluenced by many factors like e nvironment, politics, and culture. However, the greater factor that influenced Ancient and Medieval Architecture is religion. Religion, Gods, and the heavens where the key factors in creating Mesopotamian Ziggurats, Egyptian Pyramids, Greek Temples, Christian Basilicas, Islamic Mosques, and Romanesque and Gothic churches. The Deir el-Bahri and the Mortuary temples of Queen Hatshepsut are influenced by nature, since the temples lay adjacent to the Nile River. TheRead MoreAccording to the modern researchers, the Mesopotamian and Egyptian civilizations likely seem very1200 Words   |  5 Pagesand Ancient Egypt have their impressive pyramid structures, but in Mesopotamia they are called ziggurats, and Sumerians is the people that built the ziggurats. For example, the Sumerians had built the first ziggurats in 3300-3000 BCE and it located at Ur, it contained the temple on top.The base shape of the ziggurats is rectangle and the its measures 140 by 200 feet . Additionally, the ziggurats are solid structures, it made of mud bricks. The ziggurats were used only for worship and not forRead MoreEgyptian Art vs. Sumerian Art Essay1165 Words   |  5 Pagesafterlife, or be condemned for all eternity, is completely up to the gods themselves. The pyramids of Giza are perhaps even more well known than the Egyptians hieroglyphics. These wondrous structures are thought to be based around the culture of the dead. A paragraph from Emmet Johns The Pyramid Age describes these structures as such; â€Å".. from the point of view of orthodox chronology, are the mastaba-tombs [pyramids] replaced. Similar to those used in Egypt.. they were a preferred type of funerary structureRead MoreHuman History and Egypt1422 Words   |  6 Pages The Ziggurat , was a massive terraced tower made of rubble and brick, and was a place of worship for the Mesopotamian city/state . It was a temple and shrine, and was possibly a burial site, because votive statues were left in many Ziggurat’s . These buildings also symbolized the sacred mountain that protected them and was also responsible for their survival. The temples were built high in the air because of this. Ziggurat at Read MoreThe Massive Mystery Essay1687 Words   |  7 PagesFor centuries people have given a diverse collection of theories as to how the ancient pyramids were constructed. The Great Pyramid of Giza is truly an incredible architectural accomplishment. This pyramid in particular is commonly referred to as the oldest of the Seven Wonders of the ancient world. Some believe that the Egyptians had developed technology that has simply been lost in time. Others think they had help from extraterrestrial beings. The reality of the construction relied on human laborRead MoreThe Egyptian Pyramids849 Words   |  4 Pagesengaged columns is means they are attached. The capitals are important because it is the earliest known stone columns in the history of architecture. 2. The Egyptian Pyramids were built as Pharaohs Burial Chambers. The pyramids were built out of solid blocks of quarried limestone of the Gizeh. The techniques of building the pyramid were hypothesize the work men had to cut into the rock and move large blocks roughly equal size using copper chisels and wooden mallets. They also cut deep into tunnelRead MoreEdifices to the Gods and Social Perception of A Nation530 Words   |  2 Pagesof the dynasty: Cheops, Khufu and Menkuare] focused on building projects aimed at edifying the political and religious power of the civilization (Wake 29). Indeed, one needs only consider the fact that while the pyramids of Egypt served as funereal complexes for their rulers the ziggurats of ancient Mesopotamia served as cultural museums and offices for their people. The period between 2112 B.C.E. and 2004 B.C.E. were the peak in Sumerian civilization’s development and were stereotyped by the constructionRead MoreComparing The Egyptians And The Mesopotamians Essay1449 Words   |  6 Pagesthe religion of both empires were polytheistic (Meaning â€Å"many gods†) (2). Because the gods controlled Egypt and Mesopotamia through land and power, people dedicated a large portion of their time to the gods. An example is that temples like Great pyramids and statues were made specifically for the gods. One thing that both civilizations had was a strong economy. The Mesopotamians economy was very alike to Egypt’s, with both empires contributing their taxes through forced labor and farming. They also