The Inspired Construction of the Ancient Near East: Religious Nature of Brick and Stone

• Main Author: Rafael García Sánchez
• Format: Article
• Language: Spanish
• Published: Universidad de Navarra 2017-12-01
• Series: Memoria y Civilización
• Subjects: ladrillo; piedra; templo; mesopotamia
• Online Access: https://www.unav.edu/publicaciones/revistas/index.php/myc/article/view/9767

Many of the most important works of architecture of the ancient East had a sacred and religious dimension. These were carried out by divine indication to Kings, such was their inspired nature. Outside the indication and divine revelation, construction was considered unholy being exposed, next to the city, to the curse, punishment and ruin. This inspired character finds its reflection in the materials with which such works were built: brick and stone. One and the other are not mere material causes but the material representation of the powers and attributes of the deities. The brick was taken as moulding material because the activity of the gods is shaping and molding. The stone was considered the most suitable material to represent eternity, the stable and the perennial such as laws, mandates and truths.