Abstract
The paper shows that ancient Roman architects implemented the elements of space, symmetry and construction with exceptional innovative skill. Although their most notable achievements, the arch and vault construction, was first conceived by the Etruscans and had a profound influence on Roman architectural style and design, the paper shows that the innovations made by the Romans were still tremendously substantial and distinct.

From the Paper
"Another revolution can be seen in the Roman network of roads. The Romans were the first civilization to make well-designed roads. Around the time of Augustus the major roads were constructed to keep the incredibly large empire linked to avoid collapse. The Romans contributed a number of things to the basic idea of roads, such as archways, city streets, and arch bridges. This greatly increased the ability to build because of the way the roads were laid out. The roads allowed the Roman Empire to expand Rome in every direction; hence the saying "All roads lead to Rome". In fact, they were so abundant and well constructed that many of them still exist today as memorable landmarks today."

Tags:caesar, history, rome, empire, cavea

From the Paper
" The Parthenon in Athens and the Pantheon in Rome are two of the greatest surviving monuments of ancient civilizations. Though they came from very different cultures, the two buildings have a great deal in common. Both monuments were symbols of the political goals of the rulers who built them. Each building is also considered the ultimate achievement of a period in architectural history. But, the two monuments also demonstrate differences between Greek and Roman ideas about architecture and the state.

The two monuments have similar recent histories. Both are so well preserved because they were adapted by later cultures. The Parthenon was the only temple ever to be used by four different religions (ancient Greek, Catholic, Greek Orthodox, and Islam). The survival of the Pantheon was due to its use by the.."

Abstract
This paper traces the history of the architectural form and cultural function of the amphitheatre from its modest beginning in ancient Greece through to the Roman influenced theatre of today. It examines how, although some aspects of their design and function are debatable because so little of their physical structure exists today, Greek theaters can be chronologically classified into three categories: The early Athenian, Hellenistic and Graeco-Roman. It discusses how all of these theaters could be divided into essentially three parts: the theatron (or auditorium), the orchestra and the skene (or scene building) and how these standards developed over time.

From the Paper
"In its simplest form the orchestra of a theater is simply a circular plot of land designated as a place for dance and this idea defines the orchestra employed during this time. It was circular in shape with a diameter of about 66 feet and was believed to be a locus for supernatural powers. An altar (or thymele), described as "a short drum of marble decorated with low-relief carvings of garlands and satyrs, or other Greek icons? was usually erected in the epicenter of the orchestra. It was primarily used prior to performances for sacrifices in honor of the god Dionysus, however plays with religious content often incorporated the altar into the performance. A level surface area, raised one foot from the orchestra and situated below the skene, termed the proscenium, served as the area in which the majority of the dramatic action transpired."

Tags:ancient, architecture, building, drama, roman, rome, stage, skene, orchestra

Abstract
The Parthenon (447-32 BCE) was a crowning glory of Athenian civilization of the classical era and, what is more important, it was intended as such at the time. Thus, nearly 2,500 years later, it is possible to view the building as incorporating all of what the Athenians saw as beautiful, sacred and of civic importance in architecture. The paper shows that as its overwhelming position and the nature of its sculptural decoration make clear, it was the focal point of the religious-civic identity of the Athenian polis. The paper describes how the Parthenon housed the great statue of Athena Parthenos, was the main building in the complex of temples dedicated to the gods on the sacred rock of the Acropolis, depicted some version of the most important Athenian religious ceremony (the Panathenaic procession and festival) and loomed over the city as a reminder and a promise of Athenian greatness.

From the Paper
"But there was also a contradiction in being expected to achieve the perfection of the Doric order on a much larger scale, for which adjustments had to be made to the greater number of columns. As Boardman points out, however, the wider facades lent the building a "reassuring breadth which is enhanced by the way its proportions then seem to match those" of the Acropolis on which it stands (112). But this breadth might have been oppressive in its effects if the architects had not devised a means of avoiding too great a visual equivalence between the rock and the temple. Their solution was a very subtle curvature of the stylobate, and the rest of the floor, which is also reflected in the entablature. This also affects the columns which "lean slightly in while the upperworks [that they support] lean slightly out" (Boardman 112). This gives the entire facade a "pyramiding movement" to which all the external lines contribute; ever so subtly, therefore, the columns' inward inclination lends itself to a slight triangular effect that is enhanced by the surmounting pyramid of the pediment (Martin 292)."

Tags:Piraeus, Phidias, Iktinos, Kallikrates

From the Paper
"The Parthenon has been admired for centuries for its architectural purity. The structure appears visually perfect. The source of this perfection is the subtle structural refinements conceived by its architects. Contributing to the Parthenon's majesty is a wealth of sculptural detail. The combination of superior sculpture and pleasing proportion make the Parthenon the best-known of all Greek buildings.
The Parthenon is both a religious and political structure. The war between the Greek city-states and Persia interrupted almost all temple building for a generation while the Greeks concentrated on restoring their defensive walls, civic buildings, and the fleet. When the Persians were defeated in 479 BC, Athens emerged as the leader among Greek cities. Thus Athens controlled the war chest of the Delian League, a Panhellenic league. "

From the Paper
"Greek and Roman art and architecture were both innovative and distinguished by features which can be compared and contrasted. In both cultures the major trends in art and architecture were set in their respective archaic periods. However, the comparison and contrasting of both are best restrained to the more mature periods of each society.
Classical Greek art begins around the Fifth Century B.C. During this time the Greeks had consolidated their military victories by ousting the Persian invaders, reduced civil unrest by removing the old kingships and replacing them with oligarchies and democracies, and limited the mercantilism of the Greek poli or city.states (Greer 66-69). In terms of art and architecture, however, it should be remembered that Greek art was largely commissioned by the demos of relatively small cities (...)"

Abstract
This paper examines the history behind the Great Wall of China and how the original construction of the wall was essentially nothing more than bricks, wood, grass and packed earth and how its simple structure changed very little over the next many centuries. It also discusses how
more than 2000 years after its construction, the Great Wall is still seen by the Chinese as not only an everlasting testament of the industriousness of its people, but also an overwhelming and almost mystical symbol.

From the Paper
"The Great Wall played a large part in all of the early dynasties of China, but its origin can be traced back to 221 B.C. After the western state of Qin subjugated and united seven states that had been at war since the 5th century, subsequently forming China, the ruler of Qin declared himself the first Emperor of China (Dalin 15). He gave himself the name Qin She Huangdi, which, conveniently enough, means 'First Emperor' in Chinese. One of Qin's first orders once in power was for all peasants, prisoners, and anyone else available to begin construction of a massive wall ("The Great Wall of China", screen 1). What would become the Great Wall was, in actuality, several very small already-standing fortification walls connected (Dalin 15). These smaller walls had been built by past dynasties, with the same reasons in mind as those that would years later prompt the erecting of the Great Wall."

Tags:dynasties, wonders, world, qin

Abstract
This paper analyzes the city structures of the Roman empire. The author gives a detailed explanation of the structure and functions of the roads, forums, aqueducts and baths that were used for social, religious and commercial activities.

From the Paper
"The discipline of engineering was very close to that of architecture in the Roman World. Roman architecture was a social art that gave the people of the Roman Empire benefits that no community had ever achieved before. Innovative city planning in the Roman Empire excelled in the creation of roads, forums, aqueducts and baths."

Tags:architecture, etruscan, roman, town, trajan, military, structure, society, empire

Abstract
This paper discusses the way that tomb construction developed and changed in Egypt. The paper looks at three periods - The Old Kingdom (c2780-2260 BC); Middle Kingdom (c1997 -1650 BC) and New Kingdom (1552-1069 BC) - in order to compare the methods.

From the Paper
"Because of the incredible power and authority of the king at this time, his tomb was designed to exemplify his grandeur as well as serve as the final resting-place for his body and earthly possessions. In addition, the tomb complex was also the focal point of the king's cult for ritual prayer and for worship. Unfortunately, the roles of the king's tomb proved to nullify each other; the builders tried to "hide" the king's body and possessions while at the same time allowing the public in to worship him at the same time. As a result, the whereabouts of the king's treasure were common knowledge and over time each of these tombs was stripped of everything of value, not excluding the king's corpse itself? "

Tags:architecture, bahri, chefren, cheops, dier, egypt, el, giza, hatshepsut, khafre, khufu, kingdom, menkaure, middle, mycerinus, new, old, sakkara, tomb

Abstract
This paper is a comparison between ancient Egyptian culture and more modern cultures. Comparisons are made with respect to the arts, architecture, cultural tradition, agriculture, art, religion, language, and several other areas.

From the Paper
"Ancient Egyptian religion, though it was quite different from that of modern religion, has proven to be quite influential on modern society. Dating back as far as the fifth millennia BC, the period which was characterized by the development of the calender. The calender was important to religion because it was based on the documentation of religious feasts.1 The calendar eventually evolved into its present form but it was the early Egyptian version that became the basis of documenting time. The Egyptians, much like other cultures, believed in the existence of higher beings(Gods of the earth, air, and heavens).2 Much like the Egyptians, most modern day religions are all based on the worship of a spiritual presence, giving reason to believe that the study of Egyptian religion is what has influenced the worship of other God's throughout history. Another point to make about the influence of Egyptian religion is that religion was the central part of their lives for the most part,3 much like the way it is for people of the church and monks today. Other aspects of ancient Egyptian religion that can be viewed as influential could be the fact that they worshiped in temples,4 comparable to the churches and temples of today. A final point of interest with respect to ancient Egyptian religion is that they Visutskie 3 actually dealt with the idea of death and resurrection thousands of years before the Christians did with Jesus Christ. Egyptians actually celebrated the feast of Easter with the death, burial, and disappearance of their King, Osiris, on a Friday, and to celebrate his resurrection three days later, on the Sunday. The Christian celebration of Easter is, in fact, an exact replica of the Egyptian Easter with respect to time, details, theme, and objective.5 Aside from religion, perhaps the most influential part of Egyptian culture on modern culture is that of the architecture."

Tags:agriculture, art, comparison, culture, language, pharoah, pyramid, religion, tomb