Mesopotamia’s Chongha Zanbil

Description

The ziggurat at Chogha Zanbil is a prehistoric structure erected by King Untash-Napisisha in Khuzekistan Province in Iran during the 1250 BC. It was christened Ziggurat Dur Untash by the Elamites because it was built on a raised ground to accommodate the King who commissioned its construction, priests, and servants (Nadali and Polcaro 16).  The design is based on the D-stem of Zaraqu, which means putting up a building on a raised area. Also, the building is surrounded by concentric walls. The inner area has a square temple to accommodate the god, and the middle contains eleven temples meant for inferior gods.  Additionally, the outside constitutes of royal palaces and a funerary palace with five royal tombs.

Cultural Context

Ziggurat Dur Untash has significant cultural connections with the Elamites. King Untash-Napirisha summoned its construction in honor of the great god Inshushinak.  The numerous numbers of temples and sanctuaries in the building illustrate that it was a new religious center set up by the king to replace Susa and unite highland and lowland Elam gods. Noteworthy, Dur Untash is among the few ziggurat complexes that still exist outside Mesopotamia but currently known as Chogha Zanbil.

Roman Times’ Basilica

Description

The basilica was elemental during Roman times. The building was used for public gatherings, meeting place of administrators, law court, place of worship, and market place. It also provided cover and shade from adverse weather conditions such as storms, hot temperatures, and sand storms. Basilicas were often rectangular and a central and slightly raised aisle adorned with a portrait of the emperor (Hopkins 257). The basilica building used numerous features of the Roman architecture such as baths and places and re-interpreted and combined to have an original structure. The primary building materials included gypsum, lime mortar, wooden mold, and calcium carbonate.

Cultural Context

The basilicas embodied the culture of the Roman Empire in that it was used as the worship place. After Christianity became the main religion of the Roman Empire in 250 AD and basilicas became a gathering place for Christians (Hopkins 246). Up to date, the existing basilicas are used as a worship place for Christians in Italy.

Comparison

Differences

The two structures are different in terms of architecture and function. Roman Basilica is a large roofed hall while Dur Untash is a Mesopotamian ancient complex surrounded by walls and divided into multiple segments for various functions. Besides,  Ziggurat Dur Untash was an Elamite royal palace that doubled as a religious site that united lowland and highland Elam gods in one place. On the other hand, Basilica was a Roman public building that was used as a business and legal transaction site as well as a convention center during special ceremonial rites presided by the Pope.

Similarities

Despite the apparent differences between these two architectures, there are certain similarities. First, both buildings was used for religious purposes as basilica was a gathering place for Christians, the Chonga Zanbil was resident for priests and other religious leaders. Second, both buildings were constructed with gypsum and decorated to denote respect for leaders. For example, the basilica’s aisle was decorated with portraits of the emperor while Chonga Zanbil was decorated with crowns and royal chairs (Nadali and Polcaro 16). Lastly, the purpose of the building changed with time. For example, after Christianity became the main religion of the Roman Empire in 250 AD and basilicas became a gathering place for Christians. On the other hand, some kings made Chonga Zabil a palace due to its secure location.

Works Cited

Hopkins, John North. The genesis of Roman architecture. Yale University Press, 2016.

Nadali, Davide, and Andrea Polcaro. “The Sky From The High Terrace: Study On The

Orientation Of The Ziqqurat In Ancient Mesopotamia.” Mediterranean Archaeology & Archaeometry 16.4 (2016).