[1] Hersey describes a grammar for Greek architectural elements based on the idea of sacrifice. SPECULATE about the validity of his argument based on what you know about Greek design and the evidence (both visual and written) he provides. (5 points)
“Earlier ritual offerings to the gods had been made in sacred groves, with the trees decorated with the sacrificial offerings. It is believed that the temple, with its surrounding colonnade, was an attempt to recreate the sacred grove. The columns became those decorated trees, and the many parts of the Doric, Ionic, and later Corinthian orders were named for the actions performed in these rituals” (Roth, p. 230).
“The God Ostris, slain and dismembered by his jealous brother, Seth, was restored to life by his wife, Isis, who carefully gathered the parts of his body. Hence, Osiris came to symbolize the land and its cyclical death and rebirth after the flood…” (Roth, p. 192).
Considering we have accounts that the Grecian culture revolved around their polytheistic religion, it is not a far stretch to draw correlation between their architecture and their belief system. If we can attribute their lifestyle, and their practices to those trying to please and pay tribute/homage to the Gods, then again it is fair to say that their architecture would reflect that. We know already that their decoration, and adornment reflected their religious practices. We know that the mass, and the placement were taken into careful consideration when building these structures. For these reasons I do not have a difficult time believing the findings of Hersey.
[2] Meant in jest, Macaulay shapes a world of the future in which the main character claims meanings for archeological evidence uncovered at the Motel of the Mysteries. EXTRACT what you believe to be the lesson of mis-interpreting evidence and link that lesson to the real world phenomenon of the internet. In other words, EXPLAIN how you might avoid such a blunder as mis-reading evidence when you use the web as your major information source. (5 points)
In relating the misunderstanding and misinterpreting of the internet to the Motel of the Mysteries the character did not evaluate his findings as many do not evaluate their findings on the internet. He jumped to conclusions, and did not base his findings off of past precedents. He did not cross-reference his findings with others from the time period of his discovery. He also did not ask for other opinions. These are all common practices on the internet as well.
It is easy to misinterpret information found on the internet, or rather for the information in the first place to be false, and still be believed by the public. The internet is not under as much scrutiny as for example a text book might be. It has grown to such enormity that there is no true way to control, edit, and keep track of what is released. Certain websites that are linked to the government however have higher standards they must live up to, and have a higher authority they must answer to. When looking for resources, and analyzing the content we must pay special attention to who has written it, who is editing it, who they have to answer to (a credible source), and if they have a bias. One can avoid misreading evidence on the internet by using reputable sources, and not allowing one’s self to jump to conclusions based on insubstantial evidence. It also important to check sources against one another, and see if more than one source agrees with the findings. It is best not to take the findings out of context as well. You should evaluate if the author has a bias, and if they are telling the story from all angles.
[3] The funerary temple design of Queen Hatshepsut speaks a very different design language than the pyramidal forms for other pharaohs. From your readings and the ideas addressed in class, RECOUNT possible reasons why Queen Hatshepsut used this building form. (5 points)
Queen Hatshepsut was the first female Pharaoh, for that reason alone she needed to set herself apart from the rest of the burial formations (the pyramids). Queen Hatshepsut’s was more delicate, ornate, intricate, and set apart from the rest. Also in seeing that the pyramids were being robbed once the pharaoh was buried, the design needed to change in order to make it more complicated to disturb the tomb/temple. Her temple/tomb was set among with cliffs, and the design included several chambers to cause confusion.
Different from the pyramids of the male pharaohs, Hatshepsut designed her tomb/temple in homage to Hathor (goddess of love) and Anubis (god of mummification). The male pharaohs built their tombs in homage to themselves. They wanted to link themselves with the Gods, and be on their level of authority, importance, and significance. I think she may have been concerned with keeping this God’s appeased and therefore securing her place among them.
[4] Although some evidence suggests links between the Egyptian and Greek civilizations, and some building forms and details provide support for that linkage, the two societies produced design responses in great contrast to one another. Select a building type (house, tomb, or temple) from each culture and ELUCIDATE similarities and differences in the two forms over time. Provide an annotated illustration for each selected type. (5 points)
I would like to compare and contrast the temple and its variations between the Grecian and Egyptian cultures. While both in one form or another were a tribute to the Gods, their daily use was quite different. The temple for Egypt was a final resting place, a tomb. In Greek culture the temple had a public function and served as a symbol of the polis.
“There was no generally accepted notion of an afterlife, as had become common among the Egyptians; perhaps everyday Greek life was too arduous for them to wish it to continue forever. Instead, Greeks sought immortality through the achievement of arête, excellence in deeds, so that one’s accomplishment would be recorded, spoken of, and remembered forever” (Roth, p.221).
http://people.vanderbilt.edu/~amanda.n.krauss/parthenon.html
This image shows the way the Greeks honored the Gods in their architecture.
This image shows the openness, yet how it was closed off at the same time to the people. It shows mass, and importance.
This image shows the sheer volume, materiality, and ingenuity of the Egyptian architecture of their tombs/temples. It shows how they are closed off to the public.
Their structures, materiality, design, and mass differed immensely. Again, this is because of the function they each served. The Parthenon in Greece for example was open to the public (in the sense of the priests and selected individuals), once the pharaoh was buried the temple (pyramid of khufu) in Egypt was never intended to be entered again.
Now, each temple is a tourist attraction, and structures to be studied.
[5] Harwood shows examples of Egyptian furniture on pp. 60-61. HYPOTHESIZE about the lightweight nature of Egyptian furniture when compared to tomb architecture, as at the Pyramids of Giza, which many characterize as massive and heavy. (5 points)
With both there is special attention to detail, and precision. Yes, there is a contrast in weight, and sheer volume and mass, but both implored a level of intricacy incomparable to anything before it. The materiality was exceptionally different however, the furniture was comprised of their version of plywood mostly; a material that is not strong in nature verses the sandstone that was compacted and set to harden. In both cases, the furniture and the pyramids, they were both coated with a veneer of some kind (the furniture with gold, and the pyramids with limestone). These veneers probably prolonged the life of each, but also made each more special and ornate. Both showed status, and both were built with the intent of comfort in the afterlife.
“The Egyptians valued bigness, mass, and solidity as the expression of durability, a guarantee of unlimited security and indestructibility” (Roth, p. 210).
[6] Based on a careful reading of the visual evidence in these two images, DRAW OUT an explanation of design and gender roles as you see both depicted. As this language of urns represents essentially one of the main ways we know about Grecian culture, COMMENT on the validity of such a practice of reading evidence. (5 points)
http://knowledgebox.files.wordpress.com/2009/09/greekurn.jpg
http://www.treehugger.com/cornucopia-greek-urn-photo.jpg
The first urn appears to be Athena and Poseidon. The male figure who I assume to be Poseidon is holding a trident, and the female who I assume to be Athena is holding a shield. It appears to be a power struggle depicted on the urn delving into the Greek mythology where Athena conquers Poseidon. Poseidon is sitting down in a submissive position, handing over the sword to Athena who is in a standing more powerful position.
The second urn depicts women as being submissive to men, and having a lesser value/status in the Greek society. The women appear to be doting on the male figure, which we can assume to be a God.
The urns in both cases seem to depict a ritual, or myth deeply routed in the Greek culture.
