INT231 CM

Early Christian and Byzantine Design The Early Christian and Byzantine periods emerged during the decline of the Roman Empire and the rise of Christianity as a dominant religious force. One of the most fascinating aspects of this period is how Christianity transformed from a persecuted religion into the official religion of the Roman Empire. Following Constantine's victory in 312 C.E. and the Edict of Milan in 313 C.E., Christians were allowed to worship openly, leading to significant developments in architecture, art, and interior design.  Before Christianity was legalized, Christians worshipped in private homes known as domus ecclesiae or house churches. These spaces were adapted from existing residences and often included central courtyards and gathering rooms capable of hosting around fifty worshippers. These early worship spaces demonstrate how architecture was modified to meet religious needs while remaining discreet during periods of persecution.  Another important fea...

  Classical Greece and Rome Classical Greek Design Ancient Greek civilization had a major influence on Western culture and design. Greek society contributed to the development of democracy, philosophy, science, medicine, astronomy, legal systems, and the fine arts. Greece’s mountainous geography helped produce independent communities, while its location near the Aegean, Mediterranean, and Ionian Seas encouraged trade and cultural exchange. One of the most important Greek contributions to architecture was the development of the classical orders. The three Greek orders are Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Each order organizes architectural elements such as the base, shaft, capital, architrave, frieze, cornice, and entablature. The orders created consistent systems of proportion and decoration that continue to influence architecture today. The presentation identifies the Parthenon as an important example of Greek temple architecture. Designed by Iktinos and constructed in Athens fro...

Ancient Civilization: Egyptian Design This week, I learned about the architecture, interiors, furniture, art, and decorative traditions of ancient Egypt. Egyptian design was strongly influenced by religion, royalty, burial customs, and beliefs about the afterlife. The survival of Egyptian tombs and their contents allows us to study some of the oldest examples of architecture, furniture, textiles, jewelry, and decorative art. The Old Kingdom: The Age of the Pyramids The Old Kingdom is also known as the Age of the Pyramids. During this period, elite Egyptians developed elaborate burial practices for rulers and other important people. They believed that the body and personal belongings should be preserved for the afterlife. Because furniture and other possessions were placed inside tombs, some of the oldest surviving examples of wooden furniture come from ancient Egypt.  Features associated with this period include: Pyramids Mastabas, which were early Egyptian tomb structures Necropol...