Reading Comprehension 2.

1) Hersey describes a grammar for Greek architectural elements based on the idea of sacrifice. Speculate about the validity of his argument on what you know about Greek design and the evidence (both visual and written) he provides.

- I believe Hersey's writing provides a lot of historical background and evidence supporting the idea of sacrifice and how the Grecian culture incorporated this symbolism in their architecture. Sacrifice and its connection with architecture is first seen with the sacredness of trees. Different types of trees belonged to different gods, and when the Greeks worshiped their gods and provided sacrifices, it was done in front of the trees. Trees than became the basic form of a column. Once the column evolved, the sacrificial symbolism was still incorporated even in a more pronounced manner. A big part in the sacrificial ceremony was not only providing the sacrifice itself, but also taking apart the sacrifice and reassembling it. This same principal of taking apart and putting back together is seen in the make up of columns. Beginning at the base and ending at the top with the capital, the parts of the column correspond to the parts of a sacrifice. For example the base of the column is also known as the feet, and the cord that wraps around the base of the column is symbolic of the sacrificial feet being tied up. And the capital is symbolic of the head and the decoration on the capital can relate back to either horns, or garlands worn around the head. Altogether, I find Hersey's argument about sacrifice being tied into architecture completely valid.

2) Meant in jest, Macaulay shapes a world of the future in which the main character claims meanings for archeological evidence uncovered at the Motel of the Mysteries. Extract what you believe to be the lesson of mis-interpresting evidence and link that lesson to the real world phenomenon of the internet. In other words, explain how you might avoid such a blunder as mis-reading evidence when you use the web as your major information source.

- Once we have a predisposed opinion about something it is as if we are on a mission to find information that supports our idea. I find that I actually will type in the google search bar what my opinion actually is on a topic to see what kind of information pops up. Normally I will click on the first couple sites listed and if they support my opinion, I consider it to be fact. However, I am aware that this is faulty. I believe in order to not misread or misunderstand information it is important to search for unbiased websites and compare them with other websites to see if information provided is constant. That way we are not relying on our personal beliefs or opinions, but rather seeing the whole side of a story.

3) The funerary temple design of Queen Hatshepsut speaks a very different design language than the pyramidal forms for other pharaohs. From your readings and the ideas addressed in class, recount possible reasons why Queen Hatshepsut used this building form.

- Queen Hatshepsut's tomb did very much vary from the pyramidal forms although it did still incorporate stacking. However, most emphasis was put on the integration of the tomb built into the side of the cliff. Additionally, the Queen wanted her tomb to act as a paradise for Amon. The flat structure of the building more catered to the ideals of creating a paradise for Amon. A garden was even included that contained Myrrh trees that were brought by the Queen. Contrary to pyramidal forms, there was a row of double columns that created a porch like space. The flat structure of the tomb was more created with the ideals of connecting the people than it was demonstrating power as shown through the pyramids.

4) Although some evidence suggests links between the Egyptian and Greek civilizations, and some building forms and details provide support for that linkage, the two societies produced design responses in great contrast to one another. Select a building type (house, tomb, or temple) from each culture and elucidate similarities and differences in the two forms over time. Provide an annotated illustration for each selected type.

- While there are a few similarities between temples in Egypt and Greece, there are many differences. In Egypt the temples were constructed with much attention focused on the axis and the connection with the sun. In Greece, however, they were less focused on axial placement and more concerned with the building in response to integration with nature. Additionally, the Grecians were more concerned with impressing people with the outside of the structure and were not as concerned with the interior. However in Egypt, as seen in the Hypostyle Hall in the Temple of Amon, they put extreme emphasis on the interior and the stories that were depicted on the vast amounts of columns. Characteristics of Egyptian temples are that of monumentality and grand scale, and while that same sense of grand scale is seen in the Parthenon, the Parthenon is the only temple in Greece at that size.

Parthenon

Hypostyle Hall, Temple of Amon

5) Harwood shows examples of Egyptian furniture on pp. 60-61. Hypothesize about the lightweight nature of Egyptian furniture when compared to tomb architecture, as at the Pyramids of Giza, which many characterize as massive and heavy.

- I believe the difference between the construction of the pyramids and furniture is due to that fact that the pyramids were visible to everyone passing by and built with the intentions of displaying the power of the pharaohs. The structure of the pyramids were constructed to last and tell the story of the deceased pharaoh. Therefore the structure was created massive and heavy to not only represent power, but structurally, be dense enough to last through time. In contrast, the light furniture was less about being structurally captivating in size and focused more the ornateness and use of elaborate materials as seen on the Golden throne of Tutankhamen. Additionally, the furniture that was to be showcased inside the tombs was protected by the structure of the pyramid and therefor did not need to be as dense.

6) Based on a careful reading of the visual evidence in these two images, draw out an explanation of design and gender roles as you see both depicted. As this language of urns represents essentially one of the main ways we know about Grecian culture, comment on the validity of such a practice of reading evidence.

- On this urn, it reflects the ideals of the Greeks based on gender. The men were considered the dominant, high authority figure while the women were considered males servants. Based on Herseys reading, the pictures on these urns with the male sitting on the throne could be representative of the god and the items the women are offering can be considered his sacrificial gifts. The garland around the man's head worn during the sacrificial ceremony is also repeated on the rest of the urn.

As far as validity goes when it comes to interpreting information about the Grecians, I am myself skeptical. I believe that while these pictures on the urns do provide a lot of context to learn about Grecian culture, I can not say that it is always interpreted one hundred percent right.