Many different tools were used in the building and architecture of the 12th century. A compass, not the navigational kind, is an instrument that is used to make a perfect circle. A compass is depicted in the manuscript illustration. In this manuscript illustration God as Architect, it depicts God holding the world and using a compass. It is believed that it was invented by Perdix, nephew of Daedalas who was a famous craftsman. The first version was attaching a string to a peg. It is believed that it was used by the Egyptians and was later seen in the Roman times as it was upgraded. In medieval times it was converted into a legged compass before it became more like the traditional one used today. Siena Cathedral is a great example of where it has been used, in making the large central mosaic, top of arches, and the dome.
 |
Siena Cathedral
|
 |
Vienna, Nationalbibliothek, God 13th century
|
The square was used to ensure that everything was at a right angle or 90 degrees. It was also used in measuring to make sure materials were the right size by all dimensions. With building higher and higher it needs to be measured to keep the building straight and from falling over from being unbalanced. The square first came about in the Egyptian times which is known because it was found in one of the royal tombs. Even later the Greeks and Roman were shown to have used this tool. This would later form the modern-day right triangle, even though squares are still used as well. In the Herrad von Landsberg, Horus Delicaram shows how the square is being used as the building is being built up.
 |
Herrad von Landsberg, Hortus Deliciarum 12th century |
Work Cited:
I still think it's incredible that people were able to build such great structures with the technology they had. We see giant skyscrapers go up and we see the giant metal cranes, but those are modern. When we see giant cathedrals like these, we have to remember that the architects back then did not have the same materials or pieces of technology.
ReplyDeleteI think it is really cool that some of the architecture techniques were inspired by the same techniques that was used by the Ancient Egyptians and the Roman's. It shows that Medieval times was inspired by Ancient Customs
ReplyDeleteWe often doubt the abilities of civilizations before our own and what they were capable of, but the basic tools have remained the same for centuries. The simplicity of how the perfect circles were measured for the cathedral is inspiring, especially since ancient buildings are the ones with the claims for being the best ever made. The representation of God with the compass makes me think of the "world machine" that is part of deism beliefs; God made the world but left it to run on its own.
ReplyDeleteI like that this post focused a lot on architecture and a specific tool used. I took an art history class over the summer and I was surprised to learn how much math and calculation it took just to create on piece of stone (I really knew nothing about architecture before then). Many things in history can be attributed to the Greeks or Romans!
ReplyDelete