User:Simonlrj/sandbox

Architecture of Iraq

Iraq is located in southwestern Asia. When introducing this country’s architecture, one thing that has to be mentioned is this country’s history. Iraq has a long history and it is the birthplace of two rivers civilization, The city state appeared in 4700 BC. As we all know that most people in this country is believing Islam. Therefore, this county’s civilization is also closely associated with this particular religion.

Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Description

One of the most remarkable architecture in Iraq is Hanging Gardens of Babylon but the most regrettable thing is that we can only witness its ruin. The hanging gardens of Babylon is one of the seven great wonders of ancient times. The hanging gardens of Babylon is located at east side of Euphrates River and it is about fifty miles south of Baghdad which is the capital of Iraq. According to Dally(1993),it is suggested that the hanging gardens are initially built at sixth century BC by Nebuchadnezzar of the Babylonian, and the Hanging Gardens are built for Amyitis, who is the princess of the Babylon kingdom during that period of time. Specifically, the princess was suffering from homesickness and Nebuchadnezzar was trying to make her feel better by building those gardens. Dally(2013) illustrated that the gardens were constructed in three-dimensional way, and the Hanging Gardens has a total circumference that is more than 500 meters. The gardens are set on platform that is supported by pillar, which is about 25 meters. In addition, the main materials of the platform are asphalt and bricks. The rockery is pilled up with stones and slate, and it is divided into three upper and lower layers, each of them is supported by huge stone pillars. Layers are covered with temple. For preventing water seepage, each layer is covered by woven asphalt mat and double bricks on. Except those, it also has lead (plumbum) bushed. Finally, the soil has been planted with flowers and trees. The three-dimensional constructing method makes the gardens look like in the air when seeing from a distance. Thus, the gardens are named as Hanging Gardens. Not just the gardens itself, typically, there are two kinds of walls, which are made of different materials. Basically, both of the materials are bricks, and one of the bricks is made of mud. The widest point of the outer wall is about 7.1 meters. The main entrance to the ancient Babylon city is Ishtar Gate, and it is built foe the goddess Ishtar. Once people get through the Ishtar Gate, there supposed to be a north-south street, which spread out by stones and bricks. The Ishtar gate it self and one both sides of the street are decorated by the glazed animal reliefs, and the animals are set horizontally.

Another aspect that has to be discussed is the maintenance. Since the limitation of technology during ancient times, it is almost impossible for a building to resist the erosion of water for such a long time without collapse. There is not such a great amount of stones on Mesopotamian plain, therefore, the researchers speculate that the bricks used for constructing the Hanging Gardens are quite special. They are special in such a way that reeds, asphalt and tiles are added. So that the construction can stay long.

Irrigation System

Except the constructing method, another thing that makes the Hanging Gardens so unique is irrigation system. The Hanging Gardens’ ruins is quite far from the water source. Besides, Babylon’s precipitation is not sufficient during the ancient time and the location of the gardens are far from Euphrates River. Thus, it is unquestionable that there has to plenty of water delivery apparatus. In terms of the irrigation system’s principle, slaves pushing the gears, so that the groundwater can be transferred to the reservoir on the highest layer and then returning to the ground via an artificial river(Stevenson 1992). Babylonians laid soil on the vaulted roof of huts, where flowers and trees are planted on. As for the irrigation water, it is supplied by the water compressors, which located in the underground huts. They are about two rows of huts and each individual hut occupies about 7 square meters. The two rows of huts are not associated closely, whereas two rows are divided by a pathway, but they are symmetrical. To supplement, those huts are surrounded by solid walls. In terms of why determining those huts are prototypes, the well with three sinks are found inside it. Besides, the utility of those sinks, which speculated by the archaeologists, are setting the water compressors. It is also proved that the principles of those water compressor are quite same as the chain pump. To interpret the principle of chain pumps, it attaches a small amount of buckets to a chain and connects it to a wheel, where placed on the walls. Once the wheel finished one turn, the buckets following rotating and then the water should be lifted and poured. Eventually, the plants in the gardens would be watered.

Recovery of the Ruin

Since the Hanging Gardens of Babylon is no longer exist, the government of Iraq implemented a project to recover the Babylonian ruins. The program was formulated around 1978. Some of the walls and buildings were rebuilt,and they are rebuilt with reference to the original look. In addition, the museums are constructed as well, which for exhibiting the unearthed Babylonian artifacts. The most precious and with great historical value is the stone stele. The picture that carved on the upper part of the stone tablet is the scene that the sun god granted the token to Hammurabi. The lower part of the stone tablet is the full text of the Code of Hammurabi. In general, the Code of Hammurabi on the stone stele is basically the laws for ruling the ancient Babylon kingdom, which showed in the form of cuneiform. Another thing that has to be clarified is the original stone stele is preserved in the Louvre Museum in France. Besides, the government of Iraq also reconstructed the Hanging Gardens in Babylon’s ruin. The recovery project that directed by government is meant to reproduce the charm of the ancient Babylon city for the tourists.

Influence

In terms of introducing the value and influence of the Hanging Gardens, it is a spectacular achievement of Babylonians of the ancient times, giving people a sense of pride. Traveller who came to the Hanging Gardens of Babylon often kept an account of this great wonder. The Hanging Gardens symbolize a spectacular performance in engineering, along with a great diversity of trees, shrubs, and vines that are planted in different layers of gardens.

Great Mosque of Samarra
Description

The Great Mosque of Samarra is supposed to be another symbolic architecture of Iraq. This architecture is potentially the best proof of Iraq’s civilization. The Great Mosque of Samarra is one of the greatest mosques in Islamic world. The height of the Great mosque of Samarra is about 52 meters. The Great Mosque of Samarra covers an area of 239meters by 156 meters. The surrounding walls of the mosque is 374 meters by 443 meters. Generally, the style of the Great mosque of Sumarra is Islamic style but is has blended with Assyrian style. The original history is that Mutasim Khalifa moved from Baghdad to the city and the Great Mosque has been constructed. However, at the end of ninth century, the capital has been moved back to Baghdad, the Great Mosque of Samarra was keeping declining. Until fourteenth century, the Great Mosque of Samarra has almost turned to the ruin.What is different from the Hanging Gardens is that the Great Mosque of Samarra is still exist at present. The unique shape of the Great Mosque of Samarra is still rare today. In addition, the patterns and geometric carvings in the mosque illustrate the decorative features of early Islamic architecture.

Influence

The Great Mosque of Samarra is a relic on the “Silk Road”, and the tower itself is not just a precious cultural heritage, but also proofs the history of human civilization.

= Ishtar Gate = Description

 The city of Babylon was one of the greatest cities in the ancient world. During that period of time, the artistic achievement are associated closely with the Babylonian architecture. It has been 10 years long spent by archaeologists to excavated the site of Babylon’s ruin.The city of Babylon is a square city, which has 11 miles long and Euphrates River go through. The city is surrounded by thick walls, and every single city has been named after the god of Babylon. Ishtar Gate has been regarded as the most significant entrance of the Babylon city. Ishtar Gate has two doors that are located in the front and back of the Gate, and it also has four observation towers. The walls of Ishtar Gate are decorated by colored glazed tiles. The blue background is inlaid with lions in yellow, brown and black. Except the lions, there are bulls and other beats that decorated in the same way as lions’. The relief of beats on the wall caused huge color comparison of the background.

= Architecture in Heraklion = Church of Saint Titus in Heraklion

The church of Saint Titus in Heraklion is located at the main street in Heraklion, and it is not far from Lion square. It is constructed after the liberation of the island of Crete in 961. It was first converted into a Catholic church and later converted into a mosque. The church has two floors and it has a cross on top of a white semi-spherical.

Morosini Fountain

The Fountain is located in the Lion’s Square in Heraklion. The construction of the fountain is directed by the governor Morosini in 1628, therefore, the fountain is named after the governor. The fountain is carved by three lions’ heads. The water from Lion’s mouth goes straight to the downward sink. The fountain has existed for about 387 years long.

= Reference List =