Sunday, June 29, 2014

Architecture in Egypt

Al-Azhar Mosque:
 

Al-Azhar Mosque is located in El Hussein Square in the capitol of Egypt, Cairo. It was designed by Jawhar El-Sequili, built by Caliph Muezz Li-Din Allah, and named after the daughter of the Prophet Mohamed, Fatama al-Zahraa. Today, it remains the focal point for the oldest university in the world and the most prestigious Muslim school. Although classes are not taught in the mosque today, classes are held in surrounding buildings and the mosque is used just for prayer. 

The Great Pyramid:
the great pyramid @2005 Nina Aldin Thun

Although the Great Pyramid was not the first pyramid built by the Egyptians it was the first to be so large. Among being one of the 7 wonders of the world, it was the tallest structure in the world until the 18th century. Due to the ancient Egyptians extremely accurate measurements and there great technological developments, for their time, they were able to build such a great structure. A feat that even today would be a challenging project. 

The Great Sphinx:
Sphinx copyright Olaf Tausch 
 

The Great Sphinx is one of the oldest, tallest, and most popular statues in the world today. It is a 245 feet long and 60 feet tall rendering of a couchant lion with a pharaoh’s head. It is said to have a very strong solar connection which created a lot of popularity for the Sphinx but there is still arguments to how old the sphinx really is. Some say it was built before the Great Pyramid and some say after. Another unknown is what the Egyptians refereed to the sphinx as in the old kingdom. In the new kingdom, however, it was believed to be a representation of the god Horemakhet, or Horus of the Horizon. 

Senmut:
 These are two statues of Senmut holding princess Neferure.


Senmut was a man who wore many hats. Serving as a Steward of the Queen, holding many positions within the cult of Amun, a tutor to royal children, and among many other things, an architect. His most famous work is thought to be done on the Djeser-Djeseru temple located in Deir el Bahari. It is thought that he got his start in the rule of Tuthmosis I or Tuthmosis II but he truly reached his potential in the reign of Htshepsut. As chief steward, Senmut was tasked with all architectural or artistic works of the king and was also in charge of maintaining any monuments or works of art. Senmut came from an average family, with at least three brothers and two sisters. He gained great renown throughout his career but his father died shortly into his career and had a simple burial only to be lavishly reburied later in his son’s life when he had become more famous. Some of his work includes the quarrying of Hatshepsut’s two obelisks at Aswan and after his great work was completed he was granted permission to create three votive statues in Karnak. Two of these statues depicted him with princess Neferure whom he tutored throughout her childhood. These statues, along with many others he would create, had numerous firsts in them that were groundbreaking to understanding Senmut and ancient Egypt’s history. 

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