The Inspired Construction of the Ancient Near East: Religious Nature of Brick and Stone
Many of the most important works of architecture of the ancient East had a sacred and religious dimension. These were carried out by divine indication to Kings, such was their inspired nature. Outside the indication and divine revelation, construction was considered unholy being exposed, next to the...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Spanish |
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Universidad de Navarra
2017-12-01
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| Series: | Memoria y Civilización |
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| Online Access: | https://www.unav.edu/publicaciones/revistas/index.php/myc/article/view/9767 |
| Summary: | Many of the most important works of architecture of the ancient East had a sacred and religious dimension. These were carried out by divine indication to Kings, such was their inspired nature. Outside the indication and divine revelation, construction was considered unholy being exposed, next to the city, to the curse, punishment and ruin. This inspired character finds its reflection in the materials with which such works were built: brick and stone. One and the other are not mere material causes but the material representation of the powers and attributes of the deities. The brick was taken as moulding material because the activity of the gods is shaping and molding. The stone was considered the most suitable material to represent eternity, the stable and the perennial such as laws, mandates and truths. |
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| ISSN: | 1139-0107 2254-6367 |