ARCH-31044 2023-2024
BABYLONIAN
ARCHITECTURE
WEST ASIATIC ARCHITECTURE
INSTRUCTOR-DAW SU WAI TUN
GROUP MEMBERS
KAUNG SET HEIN(ARCH-7) HSU PYAE THAW(ARCH-5) MIN THUTA(ARCH-9)
Contents
[Link] View
[Link] Architectue
[Link] Aspect (Form,Space,Decorative elements)
1. RETROSPECTIVE VIEW
GEOGRAPHICAL AND GEOLOGICALCONDITIONS
LOCATED IN THE REGION KNOW AS
MESOPOTAMIA
REFERRRED TO AS THE CARDLE OF
CIVILIZATION
LIES BETWEEN THE TIGRIS AND EUPHRATES
RIVERS
ABOUT 85 KM SOUTH OF MODERN-DAY
BAGHDAD, WITHIN PRESENT-DAY HILLAH,
IRAQ
CLIMATE SOCILA AND POLITICAL
KING IS THE POLITICAL SUPREMACY
EXTREME HEAT IN SUMMER
BABYLONIAN SOCIETY WAS PATRIARCHAL
OCCASIONAL DUST STORMS
BABYLONIAN WOMEN HAD MORE RIGHTS
FLOODS AND HEAVY RAIN
COMPARED TO LATER CIVILIZATIONS LIKE
ANCIENT GREECE
PROGRESSIVE SOCIAL NOMRS
RELIGION BELIEFS
POLYTHEISTIC, WITH GODS ASSOCAIATED
WITH NATURAL FORCES AND ASPECTS OF LIFE
MARDUK:THE MOST PROMINENT GOD(CREATING
THE WORLD WITHOUT CHAOS)
ISHTAR:THE GOD OF LOVE AND FERTILITY
SHAMASH:THE SUN GOD
SIN:THE MOON GOD
ANU:THE SKY GOD
CARE AND WORSHIP OF DEITY STATUES
SACRED
MARDUK-CENTRED CREATION STORY(MARKED
THE CREATION OF THE EARTH)
2. BABYLONIAN ARCHITECTURE
RELIGIOUS ARCHITECTURE
Babylonian temples were thus massive structures of
crude brick, supported by buttresses. The use of
brick led to the early development of the pilaster
and column, and of frescoes and enameled tiles. The
walls were brilliantly colored, and sometimes plated
with zinc or gold, as well as with tiles
RESIDENTIAL / DOMESTIC
ARCHITECTURE
1. Typical Houses:
[Link] houses had three floors and a flat roof.
[Link] the very poor lived in tiny townhouses with three levels of living space.
2. Courtyards and Layout:
The first floor served as a central gathering area.
Rooms surrounded the courtyard, providing living spaces for families.
3. Materials and Construction:
Houses were constructed using mud bricks and other locally available materials.
The flat roofs were used for various purposes, including drying crops and social
gatherings.
MILITARY ARCHITECTURE
Babylon’s military architecture combined practical fortifications with
artistic embellishments, reflecting the city’s prominence in the ancient
world
1. City Wall
2. Massive defense wall, mud bricks and bitumen, patrol along top
3. Gates and Fortifications
4. Ishtar gate (grand entrance), lion gate, etc.
5. Palaces and Watchtowers:
6. Imposing palaces, ziggurats doubled as watch towers
7. Hanging Gardens and Defensive Measures
8. Marvel of engineering and asthetics
RECREATIONAL ARCHITECTURE
Hanging Gardens of Babylon:
One of seven wonders of ancient world
These lush terraced gardens were designed for pleasure rather
than food production.
Their exact location remains a mystery, but they were likely near
the royal palace in Babylon.
Ancient writers described them as a captivating marvel, adorned
with exotic plants and water features
3. ASRCHITECTURAL ASPECTS
REFLECTION FORM OF BABYLON
THE WALLS : constructed using mud bricks, baked bricks; were
glazed and inscribed with the name of Nebuchadnezzar II.
DOUBLE WALL SYSTEM: Babylon was encircled by a double set of
walls. The outer wall was massive, up to 80 ft in height and wide
enough to allow a chariot to pass along the top.
DEFENSIVE FEATURES: The walls were designed for fosse (ditch)
protecting the city on both sides of the Euphrates River.
The walls of Babylon were so thick and became legendary. The
Greek historian Herodotus wrote that chariot races were held on
top of them.
ROOFS OF BABYLON
FLAT ROOFS: Most buildings had flat roofs, timber beams covered with
layers of reeds and mud (was well-suited to the hot, dry climate,
providing insulation and a usable space for various activities)
TERRACED VALUTS: In more monumental structures, terraced vaults
were used creating a series of stepped levels that added both
structural integrity and visual appeal.
USE OF ARCHES AND DOMES: Babylonians were skilled in the use of
arches and domes, incorporated into their roofing designs, allowed for
larger interior spaces.
GREEN ROOFS: The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven
Wonders of the Ancient World, have featured early forms of green
roofs. These consisted of terraced gardens with plants and trees,
providing shade and cooling effects, adapting their architecture to the
environment and their aesthetic preferences.
ARCHITECTURAL SAPCE
URBAN PLANNING: on a grid system, with streets intersecting at right angles. This
organized layout facilitated efficient movement and management within the city.
PUBLIC SPACES large public spaces, including plazas and courtyards, which were
central to social and economic activities, often surrounded by important buildings
like temples and palaces.
TEMPLE AND ZIGGURATS: Temples, such as the 1, were central to Babylonian
cities. These structures were not only religious centers but also served as focal
points for the community.
PALACES: featuring multiple courtyards, gardens, and administrative areas. These
spaces were designed to reflect the power and prestige of the rulers.
RESIDENTIAL AREAS: built around central courtyards, providing private outdoor
space for families. These courtyards were essential for ventilation and light in the
densely built urban environment
DEFENSIVE STRUCTURES: The city was surrounded by massive walls and gates,
such as the Ishtar Gate for security showcasing the city’s wealth and power.
STRUCTURAL ASPECT
Mudbrick Construction
Terraced Vaults:
Arches and Vaults:
Massive Pillars:
Defensive Walls:
Waterproofing:
DECORATIVE ELEMENTS
Glazed Brickwork:
Relief Carvings:
Colored Terracotta Cones: Cylinder Seals:
Metal Ornamentation:
ETEMENANKI temple
TEMPLE OF THE FOUNDATION OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
LOCATION - the city of Babylon, about 90 kilometers south of modern-day Baghdad, Iraq
CONSTRUCTION MATERIALS : The ziggurat was a massive, multi-storied structure with a temple at the top. It was made of MUDBRICK and BITUMEN, typical materials for Babylonian
architecture
HISTORICAL IMPACT: The ziggurat played a central role in the religious and cultural life of Babylon, symbolizing the connection between the heavens and the earth. It’s associated with “TOWER
OF BABEL “ due to its impressive height and legend surrounding it.
ETEMENANKI TEMPLE
TEMPLE OF THE FOUNDATION OF HEAVEN AND EARTH
Consists of architectural features: Terraced Structure, Seven Levels, Decorative Elements such as gold, silver, gemstones, and aromatic substances at the foundation, inscriptions of
King Nebuchadnezzar II described ETEMENANKI “AS THE WONDER OF THE WORLD”
dimensions: Base was a square, each side measuring approximately 91 meters (300 feet).The total height of the ziggurat was around 91 meters (300 feet)
ESAGILA TEMPLE
Intro
A significant temple dedicated to Marduk, the protector god of Babylon
Location
. It stood south of the Etemenanki ziggurat (Now in Iraq)
Composed
Inside, there was a statue of Marduk, surrounded by images representing
cities under Babylonian rule. The temple also featured a small lake called Abzu,
symbolizing Marduk’s father, Enki, god of waters.
Dimension
660 feet (200 meters) on its longest side.
Construction Material
Brick, bitumen, stone, mortar
Form
The temple was square, with each side measuring two stadia in length.
a massive tower at its center, which was one stadium in length and breadth
three vast courtyards surrounding it.
Remains of Esagila Temple in Modern day
ESAGILA TEMPLE
Location of ESAGILA Temple
ISHTAR GATE
Location: The gate stood on the north
side of Babylon (present-day Hillah, Iraq)
and was part of a grand walled
processional way leading into the city.
Design: The Ishtar Gate was more than
38 feet (12 meters) high and adorned
with glazed blue bricks. These bricks
depicted alternating rows of bulls and
dragons in low relief. The dragons
symbolized the god Marduk, the bulls
represented Adad, and the gate itself
was dedicated to the goddess Ishtar.
Materials: The gate’s bricks were
covered in a blue glaze, resembling lapis
lazuli—a revered semi-precious stone in
antiquity. The façade would have
shimmered like a jewel.
PROCESSIONAL WAY
• Through this gate ran the Processional Way,
lined with walls featuring about 120 lions,
bulls, dragons, and flowers. During New Year
celebrations, statues of deities were paraded
through the gate and down the Processional
Way.
The Ishtar Gate remains a testament to
Babylon’s grandeur and artistic prowess!
Gods and Representatives
DRAGON(MARDUK)
LION(ISHTAR) YOUNG BULL(ADAD)
PRESENT-DAY REMAINS
“NINMAKH TEMPLE”
general
information
Ancient city of BABYLON, near the iconic ISHTAR GATE and the Processional
Way
Built by Nebuchadnezzar II, who reigned from 604-562 BCE2.
Used as a model for a series of temple and house reconstructions during
Saddam Hussein’s Revival of Babylon project
Holds great historical and cultural significance
Dedicated to the mother goddess NINMAK(NINMAH) in ancient
MESOPOTAMIA(Goddess of marriages and Fertility)
The inner SCARED CHAMBERS of the temple of NINMAH was restricted for
women only
.
ARCHITECTURAL
ASPECTS
The temple ARCHITECTURE is noted for its SIMPLICITY
The plan is very simple
Consists of a CENTRAL COURTYARD surrounded by several rooms, including the
chamber of HOLY OF HOLIES, where the statue of the goddess was placed and
religious hymns were offered.
materials
Using typical materials of Mesopotamian architecture
Unbaked Mudbricks
Lime-gypsum plaster for finishing surfaces
DECORAITVE
ELEMENTS
CLAY FIGURINES SADDAM INSCRIPTION NEBUCHADNEZZAR II INSCRIPTION
INSCRIPTIONS AND TABLETS
DECORAITVE
ELEMENTS
COURTYARD AND HOLY WELL ARCH AND TERRACED VAULT
(USED FOR RITUAL BATHING AND PURIFICATION BY WOMEN)
CONCLUSION
ZIGGURATS: Massive, terraced pyramid structures dedicated to gods and served
as religious temples. The most famous is the Etemenanki, believed to be the
Tower of Babel.
MUDBRICK CONSTRUCTION: Mostly used sun-dried or kiln-fired mudbricks,
often covered with plaster and sometimes glazed for decoration.
CITY PLANNING: Grand urban planning, including wide streets, defensive walls,
and extensive canal systems. The city’s design was created as a maze in order
to topography, defense, and organic growth of the city.
GATES, PALACES AND TEMPLES: The architecture of gates, palaces and temples
was characterized by large courtyards, thick walls, and intricate reliefs and
inscriptions.
Use of Columns and Pilasters: Decorative columns and pilasters were used, and
the columns were said to be firstly used in the Babylonian age.
To sum up, Babylonian architecture not only reflected the civilization's religious
and cultural values but also demonstrated their engineering skills and artistic
achievement.
THANK
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