Talk:Tympanum (architecture)

Norman example
--Felix Folio Secundus (talk) 10:59, 20 November 2009 (UTC)

Ptolemeic invention?
The article says the tympanum was invented in Egypt between 300 and 250 BC, which would make it Ptolemeic.

Ptolemeic architecture was just Greek architecture brought to Egypt, so precedents will be easily found in Greece. The Parthenon, to cite but one example, has a decorated tympanum, a feature which would seem to follow practically automatically once the shape of the roof was determined. The Parthenon was begun c.447 BC.

I suggest that the claim for "invention" in Egypt should be corrected.

As an aside, I find the reference to "ancient" Egypt misleading in and of itself. To me, that is synonymous with Pharaonic Egypt, but does not include the Ptolemies, who were part of the Classical period, but this is not central to the question.

Terry J. Carter (talk) 17:29, 23 January 2010 (UTC)


 * Changed as suggested. What you say makes sense. Regards, — mattisse  (Talk) 18:09, 23 January 2010 (UTC)

Thanks, Mattisse; would you be so kind as to tell my wife that? tjc

are the first two examples
in our gallery really good ones? Do the Pantheon & Parthenon really have tympana? I say "NO" but am looking for another opinion before slashing and burning. Einar aka Carptrash (talk) 14:05, 9 September 2012 (UTC)

tympani and archivolts
I removed this statement: "Bands of molding surrounding the tympanum are referred to as the archivolt. "  That source actually says an archivolt stands "surrounding an arched opening", not necessarily a tympanum. Here's ]. --Lockley (talk) 06:58, 21 November 2016 (UTC)
 * Huh? That doesn't mean that when there is a typanum, it isn't an archivolt! Please don't use an edit summary saying "remove unreferenced" when a reference is given. I will reert you. Johnbod (talk) 14:55, 21 November 2016 (UTC)
 * Hi . I'm confused.  The fact does not appear in the cited source.  It provides a definition that does not mention tympana at all.  Are you contending that every tympanum has an archivolt?  Then please look at the three Asian examples in the gallery, or consider Vitruvius's use of the word tympanum in the context of pediment sculptures, or consider the Yale Union Laundry Building in Portland Oregon.  No archivolts anywhere near any of those.  --Lockley (talk) 16:49, 21 November 2016 (UTC)