Tag Archives: architecture
Written by Lydia Serrant, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom Since ancient times, the Greeks have respected their gods and goddesses. Political events often lead to the building of divine temples and structures—and sometimes their destruction. It wasn’t until the Athenian victory over Persia in 490 BC that Athens was appointed the Defender of Greece, and smaller
The Sudanese Pyramids: Wonders of Ancient Africa
Written by Ed Whalen, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom We are all familiar with the pyramids of ancient Egypt and Mesoamerica, but few people are aware of the pyramids built by the remarkable African people in what is now North Sudan. The Nubian pyramids are a very important part of the heritage of Africa and provide
Roman Pantheon: A Gigantic Sundial?
Written by Ed Whalen, Contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom The Romans were great builders and are still revered as great engineers. One of the greatest buildings they constructed was the Pantheon. A new theory argues that the building was designed to act as a sundial during the Spring Equinox, which falls between March 19 and 21.
The History Behind the Vitruvian Man
The story sounds like a Dan Brown thriller: Leonardo Da Vinci’s notebooks contain a skillfully executed, albeit curious image. A man with two sets of arms and legs poses in the center of a circle and square. With one set of arms forming a V and one set of legs out-splayed, the figure’s soles and
The Colosseum: A Symbol of Gory Glory
By Mónica Correa, contributing Writer, Classical Wisdom While the Roman Empire bequeathed us many splendid structures, from the Pantheon in Italy to the Maison Carrée in France, there is one architectural wonder that is no doubt, the most famous of all Roman creations. The Colosseum, with its architecture, detailed structural elements and impressive history, manages