MESOPOTAMIAN ARCHITECTURE 3.1

MESOPOTAMIA

considered as the cradle of civilization

SUMERIAN PERIOD

used sun - dried brick faced with burnt or glazed brick; monumental temple, Ziggurat

BABYLONIAN PERIOD

characterized by mud - brick construction; palaces and temples decorated with enameled brick frieze of bulls and lions

ASSYRIAN PERIOD

palaces took precedence over religious structures

PERSIAN PERIOD

synthesis of architectural elements of surrounding countries

ZIGGURAT

huge, pyramidal temple - shaped tower dedicated to the God of the City

POLYTHEISTIC

religion practiced in Mesopotamia

PERSEPOLIS

palace complex founded by Darius l and seat of the empire

ISHTAR GATE

8th gate to the inner City of Babylon

TOWER OF BABEL

ziggurat with 7 tiers covered in glazed tiles built by King Nebuchadnezzar ll to “rival the heavens”

HANGING GARDENS OF BABYLON

terraced royal palace with lush gardens that were irrigated by water pumped from the Euphrates

DUR - SHARRUKIN/ PALACE OF SARGON

squarish parallelogram city with 3 parts

ZIGGURAT OF UR

massive stepped structure/ temple dedicated to the moon God, Nanna