Architecture. Зайцева И.В. - 25 стр.

      2.5.5 With your partner, speak on one of the following topics:
1) Ancient Greek and Roman Architecture compared
2) Roman Domestic Architecture
3) Ancient Greek and Roman Dwellings Compared
      2.6 Read and translate the text. Find sentences containing completely new
information

                                      Text 2D

                     Early Christian and Byzantine Architecture

       The architecture of Byzantium, or Eastern Roman Empire, was the culmination of
Early Christian architecture. This style can be traced back to the period after 330 BC.
The art characteristic of the developed Byzantine Empire had enormous influence on
both East and West, spread widely and lasted throughout the Middle Ages until the fall
of Constantinople to the Turks in 1453. The dominant Byzantine art was architecture. It
was characterized by round arches, elaborate columns, richness in decorative elements
and colour. But the chief contribution of the Byzantine style to the architecture of the
world was large pendentive-supported dome.
       Brick was the main material used for the construction of Byzantine churches. It
was covered externally with plaster and internally with thin marble ladoes and mosaics
above.
       The Byzantine style reached a high point in the reign of the Emperor Justinian
(527-565). He built and rebuilt 26 churches, many hospitals, bridges aqueducts, and
fortress.
       The outstanding masterpiece of Byzantine church architecture is Hagia or Saint
Sophia in Constantinople (now Istanbul). Hagia Sophia remained unique and no
attempts was thereafter made by Byzantine Builders to emulate it. Its plan may be
defined as a Greek cross inscribed in a square (typically Byzantine) with a narthex at the
west end. The chief feature is the huge dome, approximately 32.6 m in diameter, rising
56 m above the floor. Its carried on pendentives. There are also half-domes at two ends
which are, in turn, carried by smaller semidomed exedrae. The interior surface of the
edifice is richly decorated.
       Among the greatest examples of Byzantine buildings are the basilican St.
Apollinare in Classe, Ravenna; the octagonal St. Vitale, Ravenna; St. Marco, Venice;
the cathedral of St. Sophia in Kiev and others.

Notes to the text:

pendentives – паруса свода или купола
plaster – штукатурка
to emulate – стремиться превзойти
edifice – здание, сооружение
exedra – экседра, вестибюль