DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.25500#0060
30
COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE.
internal effect, while the Assyrian palaces were designed
so as to be effective internally and externally, being raised
on the platforms mentioned above.
B. Walls.—The Assyrians in the early period only used
stone as a facing to their brick walls, contrasting with the
solid marble work of the Greeks, and with the constructive
use of stone and granite by the Egyptians.
Most of what we know of the life of the Assyrians is
obtained from the facing slabs of alabaster with which they
clothed their brick walls.
c. Openings.—The lighting to the temples is con-
jectural, but it appears, very probably, to have been effected
by means of a “ clerestory,” somewhat similar to that in use
in the Egyptian temples.
The use of the arch, both circular and pointed, was
practised by the Assyrians, as is proved by the discoveries
of Sir Elenry Eayard at Nimroud, and at Khorsabad, in the
city gateways, discovered by M. Place. We find semi-
circular arches springing from the backs of winged bulls
with human heads, which kept watch in pairs at each of the
portals.
D. Roofs.—The roofing appears to have been probably
effected by means of timber beams thrown from one column
to the next, and resting on the backs of the “ double-bull ”
capitals. Some restorers show the halls of the palaces as
vaulted with brick tunnel vaults.
e. Columns.—It is assumed by Mr. Fergusson that their
columns were primarily of wood, stone columns being intro-
duced in the later period, by the Persians, in the buildings at
Persepolis, which they erected after their return from Egypt.
These columns had characteristic “double-bull” capitals
(No. 13), and the Ionic scroll is noticeable in some
examples. The columns therefore did not need to be so
massive as in Egyptian architecture, where stone roofs had
to be supported. The stone columns of the later period
were probably founded on the timber posts of the earlier
period.
f. Mouldings.—As in the case of Egypt, in West Asia
the use of mouldings does not appear to have been advanced
to any great extent. In the Assyrian palaces the sculptured
COMPARATIVE ARCHITECTURE.
internal effect, while the Assyrian palaces were designed
so as to be effective internally and externally, being raised
on the platforms mentioned above.
B. Walls.—The Assyrians in the early period only used
stone as a facing to their brick walls, contrasting with the
solid marble work of the Greeks, and with the constructive
use of stone and granite by the Egyptians.
Most of what we know of the life of the Assyrians is
obtained from the facing slabs of alabaster with which they
clothed their brick walls.
c. Openings.—The lighting to the temples is con-
jectural, but it appears, very probably, to have been effected
by means of a “ clerestory,” somewhat similar to that in use
in the Egyptian temples.
The use of the arch, both circular and pointed, was
practised by the Assyrians, as is proved by the discoveries
of Sir Elenry Eayard at Nimroud, and at Khorsabad, in the
city gateways, discovered by M. Place. We find semi-
circular arches springing from the backs of winged bulls
with human heads, which kept watch in pairs at each of the
portals.
D. Roofs.—The roofing appears to have been probably
effected by means of timber beams thrown from one column
to the next, and resting on the backs of the “ double-bull ”
capitals. Some restorers show the halls of the palaces as
vaulted with brick tunnel vaults.
e. Columns.—It is assumed by Mr. Fergusson that their
columns were primarily of wood, stone columns being intro-
duced in the later period, by the Persians, in the buildings at
Persepolis, which they erected after their return from Egypt.
These columns had characteristic “double-bull” capitals
(No. 13), and the Ionic scroll is noticeable in some
examples. The columns therefore did not need to be so
massive as in Egyptian architecture, where stone roofs had
to be supported. The stone columns of the later period
were probably founded on the timber posts of the earlier
period.
f. Mouldings.—As in the case of Egypt, in West Asia
the use of mouldings does not appear to have been advanced
to any great extent. In the Assyrian palaces the sculptured