Islamic Civilization and Byzantine Empire Architecture: Avani Reddy

Avani Reddy

December 17, 2013

Block H- World History

Hagia Sophia: Byzantine Empire

During the Byzantine Empire there were many churches. One of them being Hagia Sophia, in Istanbul. Majority of the people were Christian as Christianity was the main religion during the Byzantine Empire. According to the Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th edition from Columbia University,  the Byzantine Empire had a blend of Christian concepts, Hellenistic culture, and Roman traditions. Also, an article called “Ayasofya” from Princeton University talks about one of the main churches being Hagia Sophia. It contained many different forms of unique architecture such as domes, arches, and mosaics. Whereas during the Islamic Civilization, most people went to Mosques to worship. According to John Norwich in his work entitled Great Architecture of the World, The Great Mosque of Damascus is the oldest Mosque. This Mosque was equivalent to a church in the Christian culture. It has formal architecture, many mosaics, and significant meaning.

Hagia Sofia (pictured below)

The Great Mosque of Damascus (pictured below)

According to the article, “Ayasofya” from Princeton University, the Hagia Sophia was a church in Istanbul. It had five main parts: the gallery level, ground floor, arches, domes, and west arches. Overall there was one main dome in the center of the structure. In each level there was something different, most contained rooms to worship.

According to an article called “Islamic Architecture” found on Britannica, The Great Mosque of Damascus contained domes, arches, columns,  and big areas used for praying. It has an influence of Christian architecture throughout the structure. Some people came to the Mosque almost every day and met in small groups. Most people came on Friday afternoons as they thought that was supposed to be the day of worship.

1. The Hagia Sophia used a central dome to illustrate a specific style of architecture.

a. Three Domes were made

1. Only one was used

b.Construction of Dome

1. Made of brick and mortar

2. Lost its shape during repairs

2. The arches of Hagia Sophia were incredible until some of them fell with two earthquakes that happened.

a. West arches

1. on the west side

2. not destroyed

b. East arches

1. Used to be on the Eastern side of the church

2. Got destroyed

3. Hagia Sophia contained many mosaics throughout the church.

a. Like symbols

1.Cultural and religious

4.  The Great Mosque of Damascus incorporated formal architecture.

a. Formal architecture

1. domes, arches, mosaics, and columns

b. Courtyard

1. 515 by 330 feet

2. Contained arches supported by columns

5. Mosaics used to cover the walls of the Mosque until it was destroyed.

a. Over an acre of mosaics

b. Destroyed by Timur

1. rebuilt by Arabs

2. Then caught on fire

a. Not repaired fully

6. This Mosque had significant meaning to the Islamic culture and to the civilization.

a. Like a church

b. Place to worship

1. brought people together

c. Built where a temple used to sit

Concluding Statement: The Hagia Sophia was a place to worship during the Byzantine Empire and at one point in time was considered the largest church in the world. Whereas,

the Great Mosque of Damascus was a great place to worship during the  Islamic Civilization.

MLA Works Cited for Byzantine and Islam Project:

1      Norwich, John J. Great Architecture of the World. New York: Bonanza Books, 1979. Print.

2      "Britannica School." Britannica School. N.p., n.d. Web. 09 Dec. 2013. <http://school.eb.com/levels/high/article/472621>.

3    Great Mosque of Damascus. Digital image. Bing. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013. <http://ts1.mm.bing.net/th?id=H.4651120082750452&pid=1.7>.

4     Strayer, Joseph R. Dictionary of the Middle Ages. New York: Scribner, 1982. Print.

5      "Ayasofya." Ayasofya. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Dec. 2013. <http://www.princeton.edu/~asce/const_95/ayasofya.html>.

6      "Hagia Sophia Consecrated." OUPblog. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2013.

7      Khalili, Nasser D. Islamic Art and Culture: A Visual History. Woodstock: Overlook Press, 2006. Print.

8      "History Study Center - Home Page." History Study Center - Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Dec. 2013. <http://www.historystudycenter.com/search/displayMultiResultStudyunitItem.do?Multi=yes>.

9      Columbia University, Press. “Byzantine Empire.” Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6^th Edition (2013): 10. History Reference Center. Web. 13 Dec. 2013.

11  "Hagia Sophia." Dome -. Hagia Sophia, n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2013. <http://www.hagiasophia.com/listingview.php?listingID=21>.

12  "Hagia Sophia." Hagia Sophia. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2013. <http://www.dl.ket.org/humanities/connections/class/religions/hagia.htm>.

13  "Great Mosque of Damascus (mosque, Damascus, Syria)." Encyclopedia Britannica Online. Encyclopedia Britannica, n.d. Web. 15 Dec. 2013. <http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/150445/Great-Mosque-of-Damascus>.