IAR 222:Reading Comprehension 2

Natalie Neill

IARC 222

September 15, 2010

1. 1. Based on the reading by Hersey, Greek architecture has many hidden meanings it seems that have relations to sacrifice. After a sacrifice the victim’s bones and the tools used to kill the victim would be decorated on groups of trees. An example of the way the Greeks put these traditions to use is shown in Vase paintings because many of the paintings had weapons and “sacrificial paraphernalia in them. Fruit is commonly used in Greek architecture, along with teeth and garlands, which all goes right back to Greek sacrifice. Since sacrifice was a Greek tradition and may still remain today, it played a huge part in the way they designed and their inspirations for decorations.

2. 2. The lesson of mis-interpreting evidence is that many people believe anything they read. If it’s on paper or just simply in print people believe that it s true, because we like to think that if someone takes the time to write something that seems to be backed up by facts, then it can be trusted. Just like with the story by Macaulay, I started believing it when I first started reading, and then after you think deeper into the story, you start recognizing things and realize it is a joke. If something is on the Internet, readers will most likely believe the stories a gossip mainly because it is written down and seems true.

3. 3. The temple designed by Queen Hatshepsut was low to the ground and looked very strong and was hidden in the hills, which kind of made it a force to be reckoned with. It has a lot of decoration, which also shows that she had her input in the design of the building. The entrance is very extravagant and leads you in while the Pyramids designed by the Pharaoh’s of Ancient Egypt are obviously executing power and strength.

4. 4. In Egypt, the Hypostyle Hall is a temple that is all about axial progression and being led down to the kind at the end of the hall. The space elucidates mystery and wonder. The gigantic columns make you feel small and powerless. The Greece, the Parthenon is huge and completely made up of columns. It is built up on steps and the Greeks used the natural hills in the terrain to place the Parthenon on top to create a sense of importance. This building also has axial progression by making you want to go inside from the front and see what is inside. They are both temples, but the Hypostyle Hall is about being mysterious more so, where as the Parthenon is about clearly showing importance.

5. 5. I think Egyptian furniture typically tends to be lightweight because of the hot climate and when a person of importance is sitting on, say a chair, the person is more emphasized than the chair is. Also, the materials that are assessible to their climate might be lighter woods. For example, Egypt does not have huge Oak trees everywhere to make furniture out of. Also, if the Pharoahs take their furniture with them, they cannot be lugging around heavy furniture with them to the afterlife. This might have been a possible theory of the Egyptians, to make their king’s afterlife as easy as possible. The Pyramids of Giza are very heavy and massive because that is the Pharaohs tomb and protects and holds everything the king will need in the afterlife.

6. 6. The vase on the left is very obvious that is a “female vase” or was designed by a female. It shows that a man is giving a woman a weapon and she is holding a shield to show her power. To me, this vase depicts equality between men and women. The vase on the right however shows women serving a man. The women are formally dressed, most likely because they are his servants and are there to impress onlookers.