Geographical Influence

The Nile River

Trade route
Communication
Fertilizer

Geological Influence
North-limestone
Central-sandstone
South-Granite (Syenite)
Palms
Acacia
Brick (mud)
Clay

Climatic Influence
Generally warm
Spring and summer
Religious Influence
Powerful priesthood
Astronomy, mathematics, philosophy
Papyrus
Monotheistic in theory, polytheistic in practice
Natural phenomena personified
Strong belief in future state

Socio-Political Influence
Work for food (cheap labor)
Vast manpower
Centralized despotic govt
Annual floods
Rameses II enforced labor
Historical Influence
peraa great house
Most ancient civilization
1.Prehistoric period- B.C. 23000(?)-4777
2.The Ancient Empire (I-X),B.C.4777-2821, Memphis as
capital (tombs at Abydos, Nakadeh, Memphis, Sakkara,
Gizeh,Abusir
3.The Middle Empire (XI-XVI), B.C.2821-1738, Hyksos
4.The New Empire (XVII-XX), B.C.1738-950, Thebes as
capital (bldgs. At Luxor, Karnak
5. Period of Foreign Domination (XXI-XXV)B.C.950-663
6. The Late Egyptian Period (XXVI-XXX)B.C.663-332 (Persia)
7. The Greco-Roman Period B.C.332-A.D.640 (ATG &
Ptolemaic, Roman, Byzantine
8. Medieval Egypt (Mahometan) A.D.640-1517
9. Modern Egypt (Turkish) A.D.1517 to present time
Architectural Character
Planning
-axial
-courts & halls for internal effect




Architectural Character
Walls
-sloped inwards to the top (simplicity, solidity, grandeur)
-granite for important bldgs, brick faced w/ granite for
lesser bldgs
-Massive blank walls crowned with cornice, hollow and
roll moulding




Architectural Character
Openings
-colonnades & doorways spanned by massive lintels
-trabeated
-clerestories




Architectural Character
Roofs
-flat
-religious bldgs-stone slabs
-residence-repose
-temples-procession






Architectural Character
Columns
-ave. height=6D
-painted & carved
in low relief
3 shaft types:
-circular
-clustered
-fluted (proto-doric)






Architectural Character
Plant Style Columns
Fluted Column
-bundled reeds/stems in resemblance







Architectural Character
Plant Style Columns
Palmiform Column
-palm-like in resemblance
(temples)







Architectural Character
Plant Style Columns
Lotiform Column
-Lotus bud/flower
-non-secular bldgs/temples
-ribbed shaft







Architectural Character
Plant Style Columns
Papyriform Column
-circular shaft
(single plant)
-ribbed shafts
(plants w/
multiple stems)
-closed/bellshaped







Architectural Character
Plant Style Columns
Coniform Column
-threaded shaft & column
(cones per tree branch)






Architectural Character
Plant Style Columns
Tent Pole Column
-from wooden poles
(military, religious,residential)






Architectural Character
Plant Style Columns
Campaniform Column
-flower-shaped capitals
-circular/ribbed/square
shafts
Placements:
Northern/Lower - (Papyrus)
& Southern/Upper (Lotus) hall sides
Composite Columns-variations/combinations






Architectural Character
Non-Plant Style Columns
Hathoric Column
-simple round shaft
-hathor head capital
-engaged column forms






Architectural Character
Mouldings
-Torus (roll)
-cobra cresting (capping)






Architectural Character
Ornaments
-color usage (primaries)
-hieroglyphs