Sumter Park

History Block F

12/13/2013

Argument/Paraphrasing

The Byzantium Empire and The Islamic Civilization known as Israel are both great cultures with a rich history, and deep religious beliefs. Architecture within these cities is second to none with the Dome of The Rock as the crown jewel of Israel and The Hagia Sofia being creme dela creme of Constantinople, these buildings are both beautiful representations of the architecture and craftsmanship of the old world, but were they really built to fulfill there intended purpose? The Hagia Sofia was built not strictly for religious purposes and is seen as somewhat of a visual of wealth and recreation whereas The Dome of The Rock is without a doubt for nothing more than its intended religious purpose to mark the spot of a very important time in Muslim and Jewish history.

From the texts of present day Muslim demonstrators based on the explanation of their sacred shrine of the rock "The Dome Of The Rock". The Dome of The Rock is located in The Old City of Jerusalem and it is an octagonal building with a massive 60 meter dome over top of it. On the outside colorful tile walls make up the eight sides of the building, and the dome itself is covered in 80 kilograms of gold. The interior is generously decorated with mosaics, marble, fine stones, and marble columns surrounding one of the most sacred artifacts in all of Jerusalem. The actual rock itself, this is where it is said that according to Jewish belief Abraham was supposed to sacrifice his son to God upon this rock, and according to Muslim belief this rock is the spot where Muhammad rose up to heaven to be with Allah.

Taken from a text that was Translated by W. Lethabv and H. Swainson, from Procopius, De Aedificiis, in The Church of St. Sophia Constantinople. The Hagia Sophia located in Istanbul Turkey which is formally known as part of Constantinople and the Byzantine Empire it sits at the mouth of The Sea of Marmara. The Hagia Sophia translates into english as "The Church of Holy Wisdom" and was built by Antheruis of Tralles in 537 and finished in 531. The chuch is a massive structure with a center dome as its main focus and four pillars erected from each of the four corners of the building. Other smaller domes and branches of the Hagia Sophia are just as significant as well because nothing was overlooked when this beautiful building was built. Created using ashlar, a type of brick used in ancient times the inside of the Hagia Sophia is a masterpiece with an "abundance of light pouring through beautiful stained glass and open windows." From http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/procop-deaed1.asp Aqueducts and running water, gardens and arches the Hagia Sophia has it all. 

The Dome of The Rock- 

The proponents for why the The Dome of The Rock is strictly a religious monument are numerous and easily understood because the structure stands for one solid purpose, the purpose of preserving the place from where Muhammed ascended to Allah in Islamic belief, and where Abraham was going to sacrifice his son Isaac to God in the Jewish belief.

• It is clearly stated that no one be allowed inside The Dome itself unless properly prepared by being cleansed and blessed time and time again.

• Not just anyone is allowed to venture into The Dome, you must be a firm believer in islamic religion by being a Clerisy or Mosque before being allowed inside.

• The Dome was constructed in 685 and was finished in 691, throughout those 6 years the utmost care was given to every piece of the Dome and its eight sides. 

• The Dome of The Rock is one of the four holiest sites in all of Islam and is second to that of The West Wall which is the last standing remnant of a massive Jewish temple.

In the end it is easy to tell why this structure exists regardless of what you believe in, it is sacred to several cultures and an important history lesson for us all because its a prime example of a culture staying true to its past.

• The Hagia Sophia is located at the mouth of The Sea of Marmara where it can be seen offshore for miles, clearly trying to boast it's shear size and beauty to all newcomers. 

• The emperor at the time Justinian felt as if he needed to leave his mark on the world, and he did this by creating one of the seven wonders of the world.

•  Was it for religious purposes or was it simply for him to be remembered as the mastermind behind Hagia Sophia, imagine what you would do with endless wealth, Justinian sure did.

• Form follows function is basically the gist of it, because this ancient marvels purpose is to entertain oneself. Now that is not all, not even half of it but it was harped upon so greatly by the Catholic religion that it cant be overlooked. 

In conclusion is the church all that it lives up to be? Yes I would more than say so but just like anything else the bad will outweigh the good and that in the end is a fine representation of that instance. 

The Hagia Sophia- 

Being considered The Church of Holy Wisdom may not be all that its name holds up to be, although the Hagia Sophia is in fact a church more than a few resources suggest that its intended purpose was more recreational and laid back than it should have been.

Citations: 

1. N/A, . N.p.. Web. 14 Dec 2013. <http://www.bu.edu/mzank/Michael_Zank/Jerusalem/domeoftherock.html>.

2. Wigoder, G.. N.p.. Web. 15 Dec 2013. <http://sacredsites.com/middle_east/israel/jerusalem.html>.

3. Lethabv, W, and H Swainson. N.p.. Web. 16 Dec 2013. <http://www.fordham.edu/halsall/source/procop-deaed1.asp>.

4. . N.p.. Web. 17 Dec 2013. <http://archnet.org/library/sites/one-site.jsp?site_id=41>.
5. Ousterhout , R. N.p.. Web. 17 Dec 2013. <http://www.learn.columbia.edu/ma/htm/or/ma_or_discuss_hs.htm>.