Byzantine vs Islamic Architecture:

Alex Baugh

12-19-13

History G Block

Byzantine vs Islamic project

Introductory Paragraph

   Architecture was very important to both Islamic and Byzantine cultures. Both have strong examples of excellent architecture, however their methods differ in some ways. The Byzantines with the Hagia Sophia, and the Muslims with the Great Mosque of Kairouan (Mosque of Uqba). The Byzantines had a certain style and sophistication in their architecture that sets them apart from other cultures at the time. Byzantine architecture was more intricate and advanced than that of the Islamic culture.

Primary Sources

Byzantine Primary Source- Hagia Sophia

   My primary source for the Byzantine Empire is the Hagia Sophia. According to an article from Princeton University, The Hagia Sophia was constructed in the year 537 during the Justinian reign. The building has been used in many ways. At the time of its construction, it was an Eastern Orthodox church. Later on it was converted into a Roman Catholic Church and then to a Mosque. The building itself is huge, and is considered to be “the greatest surviving example of Byzantine architecture.” The most important and most marveled part of the Hagia Sophia is it’s central dome. The dome is so important because of its unique design for the time of its creation. It was the first to successfully utilize structures called pendentives, triangular sections of a dome that allow it to merge with a square wall at the base. This is one among many things that make this ancient building so unique.

Islamic Primary Source- Great Mosque of Kairouan (Mosque of Uqba)

    My primary source for the Islamic Civilization is the Great Mosque of Kairouan (Mosque of Uqba). According to an article from Penn State, this Mosque was built in the year 670. At the time, a mosque this size was unheard of. Covering over 9,000 square meters, it is to this day one of the largest Mosques, as well as one of the oldest ones. The Mosque consists of a large courtyard surrounded by many rows of arches, which are considered masterpieces of Islamic Architecture.

Outline
I. Introductory paragraph
II. Body Paragraph 1
i. The Byzantines paid a lot of attention to craftsmanship and design.
A. Design of dome
a. Pendentives
1. First to successfully use them
b. Structure
1. Distribution of weight
X. Collapsed twice
Y. Re-designed- 40 ribs- supports weight
B. Light Reflection surrounding inside of dome
a. Windows
1. Reduces weight
2. Allows light to circulate throughout building
III. Body Paragraph 2
i. The Muslims used mathematics and ratios in their architecture, instead of artistic design.
A. Golden Ratio
a. Found in parts of architectural design
B. Mihrab
a. Mathematically designed to face Mecca
1. Part of their religion
C. Reusing columns from Byzantine buildings
a. Taken from different places
1. Different colors
2. Different Sizes
X. Compensated with the invention of variable bases, capitals and crossbeams
x. Wooden rods connecting columns, enhancing stability
IV. Conclusion Paragraph

MLA Bibliography

"Hagia Sophia." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 Aug. 2013. Web. 17 Dec. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hagia_Sophia>.

"Mosque of Uqba." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 22 Nov. 2013. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mosque_of_Uqba>.

"Hagia Sophia." Hagia Sophia. Princeton University, n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2013. <http://www.princeton.edu/~achaney/tmve/wiki100k/docs/Hagia_Sophia.html>.

"Internet History Sourcebooks Project." Internet History Sourcebooks Project. Fordham University, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2013. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/procop-deaed1.asp>.

"Hagia Sophia | Briefing | Professor Ousterhout | Medieval Architecture." Hagia Sophia | Briefing | Professor Ousterhout | Medieval Architecture. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. <http://www.learn.columbia.edu/ma/htm/or/ma_or_discuss_hs.htm>.

"The Use of the Golden Section in the Great Mosque at Kairouan | Said Mazouz - Academia.edu." The Use of the Golden Section in the Great Mosque at Kairouan | Said Mazouz - Academia.edu. Academia.edu, n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. <http://www.academia.edu/3418958/The_Use_of_the_Golden_Section_in_the_Great_Mosque_at_Ka

irouan>.

"Table of Contents." Islamic Golden Age. N.p., n.d. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. <http://www.personal.psu.edu/acw5128/Assignment7.html>.

"Late Antiquity." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 12 July 2013. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Late_Antiquity>.

"Pendentive." Wikipedia. Wikimedia Foundation, 17 Dec. 2013. Web. 18 Dec. 2013. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pendentive>.