The Architecture of Conquest: Thamugadi to Pikillacta

As previously discussed in last week’s post about Ancient Rome, architecture has the ability to express ideas of authority and power. This can, in turn, function as a means to control the behavior of both residents and visitors of a particular space. This week, I will examine two architectural sites in a discussion of the architecture of conquest.

Thamugadi (located in Timgad, Algeria; dated100 CE) was an ancient Roman city. Founded by the Emporer Trajan, it began as a military colony to serve as a guard against invaders in the nearby Aures Mountains. Thamugadi began as a perfectly square city, planned to accommodate 15, 000 residents in total. However, in it’s first 300 years the city nearly quadrupled in size, leading to extensions of the outer borders.

Thamugadi
Source: http://www.skyscrapercity.com/showth
read.php?t=835906

The location of Thamugadi is of high importance; it sits on a high plateau north of the Aures Mountains on a crucial junction allowing the Romans to control a main mountain pass, providing access to and from the Sahara. In addition to location, structural components of the city make it an interesting military case study. Thamugadi is an exceptional example of Roman “grid structuring” in city planning. Unlike the Ancient Roman Forum, Thamugadi manipulates its landscape to create a “grid designed” city (streets intersection at right angles, etc). This type of city planning allowed for better control of traffic through the city. It also represents a very socialized and structured space in which a social hierarchy determines where one might live (the most wealthy and powerful would live in the middle of the city while the less fortunate lived on the outskirts).

Trajan's Arch in Thamugadi
Source: http://www.flickr.com/photos/44022
144@N05/4294968266/

Extensions to the original city plan meant sacrificing the fortification of the city’s outermost walls; however, even on appearance alone Thamugadi was very intimidating. High walls suggested a military presence, while Trajan’s arch (typical of Roman architecture) sat at the entry to the complex and boasted authority.

Thamugadi’s grid like structure is echoed in Pikillacta (located in Peru). Presumably another military outpost (very little is known about Pikillacta), many architectural techniques are used to support the likely function of the site. High, fortified walls (up to 4 meters thick) suggest the need for defense, while narrow alleyways (between the high walls) must have been highly imposing and intimidating to those walking through. The ideology of Pikillacta is very transparent (in the sense that everyone should know their role within the structure). Like Thamugadi, a sort of social hierarchy would have played out within Pikillacta, which would have facilitated engagements between the Wari people. Unlike Thamugadi, Pikillacta was not designed for comfortable living; it would likely have ben used strictly for military purposes (the rough textured stonework further supports this).

Pikillacta
Source: http://goingtomachupicchu.com/tours/south
-valley-circuit-en.html

Little is known of Pikillacta due to its lack of written records. However, through a comparison to Thamugadi, the purpose of the site can be theorized through examination of the remaining ruins. This week, I have learned more about how architecture can influence behavior in different contexts as well as how “city planning” can add considerable military strength and intimidation to a site.

Cusco Online. “The Pikillacta Ruins.” Accessed January 29, 2013. http://www.cuscoonline.com/english/cuscossurroundings/cusco050.shtml

Encyclopedia Britannica. “Thamugadi.” Accessed January 28, 2013. http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/589953/Thamugadi

Lonely Planet. “Timgad.” Accessed January 28, 2013. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/algeria/timgad/sights/archaeological-site/timgad

Roth, Leland M. Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, and Meaning. Colorado: Westview Press, 2007.

Experiencing Rome

While “visiting” the Forum area of Ancient Rome, I followed a prescribed tour by the Lonely Planet’s online guide. Upon “landing” in the street (with the help of Google Maps) one particular detail of my surroundings became apparent: the modern and ancient worlds have evolved to coexist in harmony with each other. Despite the fact that ancient architecture does very obviously stand out from its contemporary surroundings, the organic flow of the area is, in itself, a feat.

Aerial View
(Nina Malek-2013)

Lonely Planet has suggested many different stops on my tour (twenty-two to be exact); for the purpose of this blog, I will focus on three.

The first stop on my tour is the Rostrum. Lonely Planet describes the Rostrum as an elevated podium, making reference to it as one of the settings in a Shakespearian play. Most interesting to me is the lack of historical background provided by Lonely Planet with regard to the Rostrum’s importance in Ancient Rome. The Rostrum was a place where politicians and others of importance were able to speak to the people of Rome. In later years, it was used as a place to display the heads of fallen enemies of Rome. It is difficult to imagine the Rostrum’s political legacy (and sometimes gory history) seeing it in its current unassuming state.

Rostrum
(Source: http://www.roman-empire.net/tours/rome/rostrum.html)

After Seeing the Rostrum, the next stop on my journey through the Ancient Roman Forum was the Colonna di Foca. Named in honour of the emperor Phocus, Colonna di Foca marks the Forum’s main market and meeting place. According to Lonely Planet, it was also the last monument erected in the Roman Forum. Upon closer inspection of the column, it is in Corinthian style (although the top appears to be worn down). The column’s surroundings appear to be mostly rubble, however records suggest that this location was once the center of daily life in the Forum. One must wonder why a simple column would be used as a monument over a statue (or something else more personalized). Perhaps it was left from another building project? None the less, Ancient Roman culture can be likened to that of modern day where perhaps a shopping mall or town hall can mark a city centre.

Colonna di Foca
(Source: http://www.romaonline.net/index.php?pg_bag=to
ur_it&oper=show_tour_it_itinerari&iter_id=7812&place_id=1289)

A trip through the Roman Forum would not be complete without visiting a basilica; hence, Basilica di Massenzio is the final stop. Lonely Planet notes Basilica di Massenzio as the largest building on the Forum. Started by the Emperor Maxentius and later finished by Constantine (after he defeated the former Emporer Maxentius), the Basilica can also be referred to by its other name: Basilica di Constantine. Lonely Planet also states that a massive statue of Constantine was unearthed at the site in 1487, suggesting that Basilica di Massenzio was intended to be a show of power in its size and relationship to the new Emperor. Remains of the Basilica tower over the neighbouring trees.

Basilica di Massenzio
(Source: http://www.laboratorioroma.it/passeggiate%20romane/Aree%20A
rcheologiche/Altri%20Monumenti/altri%20monumenti.htm)

Though just the ruins remain of what was once a grand city center, a feeling of greatness lingers in the air. The fact that ruins remain (especially considering the long history of neglect the Forum has endured) is a testament to the technology of the era. My guidebook, Lonely Planet, gave a good overview of the Roman Forum. Though slightly neglectful of some important historical aspects, it did give enough information to "walk through" and understand what I was looking at. Thousands of years later we can still stand in awe of the Roman Empire.

Goldsworthy, Adrian. Caesar: Life of a Colossus. Conneticut: Yale University Press, 2008.

Google. “Google Maps- Roman Forum, Via dei Fori Imperiali, Rome, Province of Rome, Italy.” Accessed January 21, 2013.https://maps. google.ca

Lonely Planet. “Roman Forum (Foro Romano).” Accessed January 22, 2013. http://www.lonelyplanet.com/italy/rome/sights/archaeologic al-site/roman-forum-foro

Roth, Leland M. Understanding Architecture: Its Elements, History, and Meaning. Colorado: Westview Press, 2007.

Welcome to practical; grace.

Hello!

Welcome to Practical; Grace, my assigned blog for VAH 3388G: Histories of Architecture and Urbanism. The specific purpose of this blog is to examine, analyze and reflect upon the topic of: The Urban Form and its Role in Colonization.

The name of my blog is inspired by a quote I encountered in high school:

         “We require from buildings, as from men, two kinds of goodness: first, the doing their practical duty well: then that they be graceful and pleasing in doing it; which last is itself another form of duty.”

                                                                         -John Ruskin (The Stones of Venice, 1880)

As a third year student in the Faculty of Science, I’ve had little opportunity to explore the world of art. I personally find the study of architecture especially interesting due to its practicality, beauty, and its place in everyday life.

Salisbury Cathedral
(Nina Malek-2009)

The first time I remember being really aware of the architecture of a building was on a trip to England. One rainy afternoon I had the opportunity to visit Salisbury Cathedral (or The Cathedral of Saint Mary).

I received a brief introduction to the cathedral before I had the opportunity to explore on my own. I learned that it was built in only 38 years and because of this the architectural style remained consistent throughout the building: Early English Gothic.

To me, the most appealing aspect of the Early English Gothic style is the introduction of the lancet (a pointed arch). The lancet allows for more efficient distribution of the weight above it while also boasting an elegant appearance. Through the use of the lancet, windows could become larger (though still narrow) and closer together.

Salisbury Cathedral is an exceptional example of the use of the lancet; despite the Cathedral’s massive size, its air of openness is truly awe-inspiring. Most impressively, despite its obvious grandeur, Salisbury Cathedral perfectly compliments the small town that surrounds it.

Above is a picture I took on my visit to the Cathedral, a place I hope to visit again in the future.