Architecture: Classic and Early Christian — John Shaqi
Architecture: Classic and Early ChristianSmith, T. Roger (Thomas Roger)
History
Architecture: Classic and Early Christian
Smith, T. Roger (Thomas Roger)
Architecture -- History; Church architecture
The Mammisi exhibit quite a different form of temple from those
previously described, and are generally found in close proximity to
the large temples. They are generally erected on a raised terrace,
rectangular on plan and nearly twice as long as it was wide,
approached by a flight of steps opposite the entrance; they consist of
oblong buildings, usually divided by a wall into two chambers, and
surrounded on all sides by a colonnade composed of circular columns or
square piers placed at intervals, and the whole is roofed in. A dwarf
wall is frequently found between the piers and columns, about half the
height of the shaft. These temples differ from the larger ones in
having their outer walls perpendicular. Fig. 20 is a plan of one of
these small temples, and no one can fail to remark the striking
likeness to some of the Greek temples; there can indeed be little
doubt that this nation borrowed the peristylar form of its temples
from the Ancient Egyptians.
[Illustration: FIG. 21.--GROUND-PLAN OF THE ROCK-CUT TEMPLE AT
IPSAMBOUL.]
[Illustration: FIG. 22.--SECTION OF THE ROCK-CUT TEMPLE AT
IPSAMBOUL.]
Although no rock-cut temples have been discovered in Egypt proper,
Nubia is very rich in such remains. The arrangement of these temples
hewn out of the rock is closely analogous to that of the detached
ones. Figs. 21 and 22 show a plan and section of the largest of the
rock-cut temples at Ipsamboul, which consists of two extensive courts,
with smaller chambers beyond, all connected by galleries. The roof of
the large court is supported by eight huge piers, the faces of which
are sculptured into the form of standing colossi, and the entrance is
adorned by four splendid seated colossi, 68 ft. 6 in. high. As was the
case with the detached temples, it will be noticed that the height of
the various chambers decreases towards the extremity of the
excavation.
[Illustration: FIG. 23.--EGYPTIAN COLUMN WITH LOTUS BUD CAPITAL.
PLAN.]
[Illustration: FIG. 24.--EGYPTIAN COLUMN WITH LOTUS FLOWER CAPITAL.]
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