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       The Romanesque period derives its name from its attempt to emulate the grandeur of ancient Rome. One piece of furniture from the time is the Throne of Dagobert, which was an elegant bronze folding chair with lions’ paw feet. Another significant piece is Charlemagne’s throne, which featured marble steps to represent authority and power. Most homes were made of wood, mud, and twigs and had shops underneath and multipurpose rooms that were used for cooking, entertaining, and sleeping. As a result, there was very little privacy in these homes. Churches were primarily basilica style with an added transept. Some churches, such as Fontenay Abbey, had an austere and simple look, while others such as Pisa Baptistry were grand and elegant.      The Islamic period is unique because there was a great variety of regional architecture styles that all served to create Mosques for the same type of worship. For example, architects in Saharan Africa c...

  In the early years, Christians met in churches in homes because of intense persecution. However, everything changed when Constantine legalized Christianity in 313 CE – Christians could now build their own churches. They drew much inspiration from Roman structures, such as the basilica and dome, but devoted many of their buildings to a new purpose: glorifying God. Some favored the basilica for its simplicity, hoping to set Christian places of worship apart from grand pagan temples. Although not a church itself, Constantine’s palace in Trier, Germany is a clear example of a basilica’s structure. The palace, called Aula Palatina or the Basilica of Constantine, has a large universal space to serve multiple functions. There is essentially no ornamentation on the walls; only two rows of large windows. In contrast, others believed that churches should be as beautiful as possible to honor our beautiful God. This belief took the form of a centrally planned church with elaborate ornamentat...

  As I was reviewing this week’s material, I was very intrigued by the narrative of ancient pottery and the way historians use it to learn about furniture and daily practices of the Greeks and Romans. This video in particular covers many myths that are conveyed in the pottery. I am also amazed at the immaculate condition that the pieces are in and how vibrant and clear the colors are. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KJos0HmLb6A Although I was interested in the public Roman bathhouses as a means of relaxing and cleansing the body, I had no idea that they were also social centers until I found this video. This clip explains that people of various social classes would gather here to debate about various topics, play sports together, and even strike business deals! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQbRW-QxTWY

  Classical Greek architecture was largely inspired by the Minoans and Mycenaeans. Specifically, the Minoans established the concept of buildings fitting in with their landscapes’ mountains and valleys. Additionally, the Palace of Knossos introduced additive design and agoras, or courtyards. The Mycenaeans, on the other hand, created corbelled domes and porticos (public entrances to buildings). Many of these elements were consequently used during Greece’s Classical era in the development of temples and furniture. The temples were created with ornate entablature, consisting of three layers, and columns: doric, ionic, and Corinthian. Although few pieces of furniture remain from the time period, we can learn much about ancient Greek furniture from the surviving pottery. Klismos chairs had a curved back and curved legs and were typically used for work such as weaving or caring for children. Couches for dining, square stools, and chests were also popular household pieces. The Romans w...

  I am very interested in ancient Egypt’s influence on modern fashion. I love the idea of jewel tones, hieroglyphs, and gold in fashion. This short video shows a few examples of modern outfits inspired by Egypt – my favorite is the third one because I love the strings of gold beads and the flowy turquoise and tan fabric. https://www.youtube.com/shorts/NueydtjLIRk     This video provides a very insightful tour of the Pyramid of Djoser, revealing the intricacies of the underground chambers. The various pillars and tunnels express the careful planning that went into the construction of the Pyramid. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fpRQgfbqcaY                  The furniture of ancient Egypt is also very beautiful and intricate, typically made with wood and other natural materials. My favorite piece in this video is the wide chair at 1:25 because I love the intricate carvings, blocks of c...

                 The Ancient Civilizations period stretches from 5000 BCE to 612 BCE and includes the activities of Mesopotamia, Egypt, and Nubia. To begin with, Mesopotamia was a very advanced society and one of the world’s first urban centers. One of several cultures in Mesopotamia, the Assyrians, are particularly famous for their mud brick structures including Ziggurats (stepped pyramid temples) and palaces, such as the Palace of Nimrud. The Assyrian people were very strong and successful in war, so they created large statues and reliefs to intimidate visitors and remind locals of the benefit of safety that they gain from their strong king, even though his lavish lifestyle may have angered them. These reliefs showed pictures of battle, horses, fallen men, and chariots as well as everyday concepts such as worship, foreign dignitaries, and landscapes.               ...