History and Theory of Architecture

  1. Prehistoric and Ancient Architecture
    1. Prehistoric Structures
      1. Megalithic Architecture
        1. Menhirs
          1. Dolmens
            1. Cromlechs
              1. Stonehenge and its Significance
                1. Astronomical Alignments
                  1. Ritual and Social Functions
                    1. Construction Methods
                  2. Early Dwellings and Settlements
                    1. Cave Dwellings
                      1. Lascaux
                        1. Altamira
                        2. Skara Brae
                          1. Construction Techniques
                            1. Social Organization
                              1. Furniture and Fixtures
                              2. Çatalhöyük
                                1. Urban Layout
                                  1. Wall Paintings and Symbolism
                                    1. Social Structure
                                2. Architecture of Mesopotamia and the Near East
                                  1. Sumerian Architecture
                                    1. Ziggurats
                                      1. The Ziggurat of Ur
                                        1. Religious and Civic Functions
                                          1. Construction Techniques
                                          2. Urban Planning
                                            1. City Layout
                                              1. Defensive Walls
                                            2. Babylonian and Assyrian Architecture
                                              1. The Ishtar Gate
                                                1. Glazed Brickwork
                                                  1. Symbolism and Processional Ways
                                                  2. Palaces and Fortifications
                                                    1. Defensive Architecture
                                                      1. Relief Sculpture
                                                        1. Hanging Gardens of Babylon
                                                      2. Persian Architecture
                                                        1. Persepolis
                                                          1. Apadana Hall
                                                            1. Columnar Halls and Terraces
                                                              1. Relief Carvings
                                                              2. Fire Temples
                                                                1. Royal Tombs
                                                              3. Ancient Egyptian Architecture
                                                                1. Funerary Architecture
                                                                  1. Mastabas
                                                                    1. Early Tomb Forms
                                                                      1. Construction Methods
                                                                      2. Step Pyramids
                                                                        1. Pyramid of Djoser
                                                                          1. Imhotep's Innovations
                                                                          2. The Great Pyramids of Giza
                                                                            1. Construction Methods
                                                                              1. Alignment and Symbolism
                                                                                1. Sphinx
                                                                                2. Rock-Cut Tombs
                                                                                  1. Valley of the Kings
                                                                                    1. Decoration and Burial Practices
                                                                                      1. Abu Simbel
                                                                                    2. Temple Architecture
                                                                                      1. Pylon Temples
                                                                                        1. Karnak
                                                                                          1. Luxor
                                                                                            1. Edfu
                                                                                            2. Axial Planning and Processional Routes
                                                                                              1. Sacred Pathways
                                                                                                1. Hieroglyphic Inscriptions
                                                                                                2. Mortuary Temples
                                                                                                  1. Deir el-Bahari
                                                                                                3. Construction and Materials
                                                                                                  1. Stone Masonry
                                                                                                    1. Quarrying and Transport
                                                                                                      1. Precision Cutting
                                                                                                      2. Columnar Systems
                                                                                                        1. Lotus and Papyrus Capitals
                                                                                                          1. Hathor Capitals
                                                                                                      3. Aegean Civilizations
                                                                                                        1. Minoan Architecture (Crete)
                                                                                                          1. The Palace at Knossos
                                                                                                            1. Labyrinthine Plan
                                                                                                              1. Frescoes and Light Wells
                                                                                                                1. Drainage Systems
                                                                                                                2. Other Minoan Sites
                                                                                                                  1. Phaistos
                                                                                                                    1. Malia
                                                                                                                  2. Mycenaean Architecture
                                                                                                                    1. Citadels
                                                                                                                      1. Mycenae
                                                                                                                        1. Tiryns
                                                                                                                          1. Pylos
                                                                                                                          2. The Lion Gate
                                                                                                                            1. Cyclopean Masonry
                                                                                                                              1. Defensive Architecture
                                                                                                                              2. Tholos (Beehive) Tombs
                                                                                                                                1. Corbelled Construction
                                                                                                                                  1. Treasury of Atreus
                                                                                                                                  2. Megaron
                                                                                                                                    1. Palace Architecture
                                                                                                                                      1. Hearth and Throne Room
                                                                                                                                  3. Ancient Greek Architecture
                                                                                                                                    1. The Polis and its Architectural Components
                                                                                                                                      1. Acropolis
                                                                                                                                        1. Sacred Precinct
                                                                                                                                          1. Defensive Function
                                                                                                                                          2. Agora
                                                                                                                                            1. Commercial and Civic Center
                                                                                                                                              1. Stoa Buildings
                                                                                                                                              2. Theater
                                                                                                                                                1. Acoustics and Sightlines
                                                                                                                                                  1. Theater of Dionysus
                                                                                                                                                  2. Stadium
                                                                                                                                                    1. Athletic Competitions
                                                                                                                                                  3. The Classical Orders
                                                                                                                                                    1. Doric
                                                                                                                                                      1. Proportions and Details
                                                                                                                                                        1. Parthenon as Example
                                                                                                                                                        2. Ionic
                                                                                                                                                          1. Volutes and Bases
                                                                                                                                                            1. Erechtheion as Example
                                                                                                                                                            2. Corinthian
                                                                                                                                                              1. Acanthus Leaf Capitals
                                                                                                                                                                1. Later Development
                                                                                                                                                              2. Temple Design and Refinements
                                                                                                                                                                1. The Parthenon
                                                                                                                                                                  1. Optical Corrections
                                                                                                                                                                    1. Sculptural Program
                                                                                                                                                                      1. Ictinus and Callicrates
                                                                                                                                                                      2. The Erechtheion
                                                                                                                                                                        1. Caryatids
                                                                                                                                                                          1. Irregular Plan
                                                                                                                                                                          2. Temple of Zeus at Olympia
                                                                                                                                                                            1. Temple of Athena Nike
                                                                                                                                                                            2. Hellenistic Developments
                                                                                                                                                                              1. Increased Scale
                                                                                                                                                                                1. Ornamentation and Complexity
                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Urban Planning Innovations
                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Hippodamus of Miletus
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Grid Planning
                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Pergamon Altar
                                                                                                                                                                                    2. Roman Architecture
                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Innovations in Materials and Technology
                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Concrete (Opus Caementicium)
                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Structural Advantages
                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Aggregate Materials
                                                                                                                                                                                            2. The Arch
                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Structural Principles
                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Decorative Applications
                                                                                                                                                                                                2. The Vault
                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Barrel Vault
                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Groin Vault
                                                                                                                                                                                                    2. The Dome
                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Pantheon Dome
                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Construction Techniques
                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Roman Urbanism
                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. The Forum
                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Civic and Religious Functions
                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Forum Romanum
                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Imperial Fora
                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Grid Planning (Castrum)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Military and Civil Towns
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Cardo and Decumanus
                                                                                                                                                                                                                  2. Infrastructure
                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Roads
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Sewers
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Water Supply
                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Major Building Types
                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Temples
                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. The Pantheon
                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Maison Carrée
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Temple of Venus and Rome
                                                                                                                                                                                                                              2. Basilicas
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Basilica of Maxentius
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Amphitheaters
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. The Colosseum
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Construction and Engineering
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Gladiatorial Games
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Thermae (Baths)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Social and Hygienic Roles
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Baths of Caracalla
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Heating Systems
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            2. Aqueducts and Infrastructure
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              1. Water Supply Systems
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                1. Pont du Gard
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                2. Triumphal Arches
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  1. Commemorative Architecture
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    1. Arch of Titus
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Arch of Constantine
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      2. Housing
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        1. Insulae (Apartment Buildings)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                          1. Domus (Private Houses)
                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                            1. Villa Rustica and Villa Urbana

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Previous

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      1. Foundations of Architectural Study

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Go to top

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      Next

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      3. Medieval Architecture