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Essay Subject: Analysis of the Hagia Sofia as a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture Split between East ...... More...

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Paper Abstract: Analysis of the Hagia Sofia as a masterpiece of Byzantine architecture. Discusses the split between East and West of Roman Empire. Unique architectural featues of the Church that combined elements of both the East and West. Paper Introduction: The Hagia Sophia located in Istanbul Turkey is a masterpiece ofByzantine architecture and perhaps the most significant example ofByzantine art during its Golden era combining Greek Roman and Orientalinfluences Aside from its beauty Hagia Sophia Greek for Church of theHoly Wisdom is important for its artistic and architectural uniqueness aswell as its religious and political significance With the Roman Empire in severe economic and political decline inA D Emperor Constantine established the trading city of Byzantium ashis new Eastern capital renaming it Text of the Paper: The entire text of the paper is shown below. However, the text is somewhat scrambled. We want to give you as much information as we possibly can about our papers and essays, but we cannot give them away for free. In the text below you will find that while disordered, many of the phrases are essentially intact. From this text you will be able to get a solid sense of the writing style, the concepts addressed, and the sources used in the research paper. Most architects of the ancient great churches are not remembered byname, but the Hagia Sofia is such a great architectural achievement thatthe mathematical brilliance of its architects Anthemius of Tralles andIsidorus of Miletus, are noted. Asthe power of the Church grew, so did the religious structures. The dome is set above the arches, resting on curved, triangularstonework pieces that fill in the corner spaces between the arches. The effect ofthe changing light at different times of the day streaming in from thewindows reflects on the mosaics and marbles creating an artistic element,and also reflecting the Oriental love of splendor. The Hagia Sophia, located in Istanbul, Turkey, is a masterpiece ofByzantine architecture, and perhaps the most significant example ofByzantine art during its Golden era, combining Greek, Roman and Orientalinfluences. 33 , Emperor Constantine "established the trading city of Byzantium ashis new Eastern capital," renaming it Constantinople after himself (Benton& DiYanni 248). The massive columns are joined above the wall level by fourarches. Thetraditional Western basilica style was combined with a centrally locatednave, capped off by a huge dome. New York: McGraw-Hill Book Co., Inc. Works CitedBenton, Janette Rebold & Robert DiYanni. Even before the rule of Constantine, the Roman Empire had been splitinto East and West. The most notable architectural achievementof Anthemius and Isidorus is that of successfully joining and immensecircular dome atop a square edifice. With the Roman Empire in severe economic and political decline inA.D. The "elaborate surfacedecoration conceals the strength of the underlying structure," bringing afeeling of lightness to the interior" (Benton & DiYanni 255). "Through this relatively dynamic system of weightsand counterweight, the Byzantine descendants of Syrian builders solved forthe first time the problem of keeping a broad floor space free of thick,weight-carrying walls" (Meyers 225). This differsfrom the central-plan design of churches such as San Vitale. The main and central sections of HagiaSofia are square in shape, with two sides of the square extended byoutwardly protruding demi-circular walls, giving the nave of the Church anoval shape. Aside from its beauty, Hagia Sophia (Greek for Church of theHoly Wisdom) is important for its artistic and architectural uniqueness, aswell as its religious and political significance. The great beauty, architectural contributions, rich mosaics andhistorical and religious significance of Hagia Sofia make it the greatmasterpiece of Byzantine architecture. The "deep-rooted differences between the Christianchurches of the West and East...developed distinct traditions," includingwhat a church should look like architecturally (Benton & DiYanni 249). Upper Saddle River,N.J.: Prentice Hall, 2 2.Hagia Sophia - Isidoros and Anthemios - Great Buildings Online. "Hagia Sofia is one of the earliest examples of a dome onpendentives" (Benton & DiYanni 255). Until then, persecuted Christians met in secrecy, but withConstantine's acceptance of Christianity, churches began to be built. The interior of Hagia Sofia is one of lightness. Art and Civilization. The placement ofwindows in the clerestory and in the domes enhances the spirituality of theChurch. In contrast, the East developed a domed architectural form.The brilliance of Hagia Sofia is its architectural union of Eastern andWestern forms culminating in the creation of a domed basilica. www.greatbuildings.com/buildings/Hagia_Sophia.Meyers, Bernard S. 1. Constantine also recognized and accepted Christianity as astate religion. Arts and Culture: An Introduction to the Humanities, Vol. Thebasilica and the rotunda were the two architectural forms developed in theWestern Empire. Their "plan shows the arrangementaround the central dome with half-domes on opposite sides, which are inturn flanked by smaller half-domes" (Benton & DiYanni 253). A band of 4 windows circles the base of the dome. Theuniqueness and architectural genius of Hagia Sofia is its use of thesetriangular pendentives. 1957. Build in only five years, 532 to 537, as the New Cathedral ofConstantinople by Emperor Justinian, Hagia Sophia was converted to a mosqueat the Fall of Constantinople to the Ottoman Turks in 1453 (Hagia Sophia -Great Buildings Online). If this paper is not what you are looking for, you can search again: Search for: or Click here to request an essay written just for you.

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