Petra
Title
Petra
Publisher
Lawrence Technological University
Date Created
November 29, 2016
Alternative Title or Name
Al-Khazneh
Creator2
Allen, Will (photograph)
Work Type
Single built works
architectural elements
Date
2015
Work Location
Jordan (nation)
Petra (deserted settlement)
Style/Period
Hellenistic
Subject
rock-cut tombs
Corinthian capitals
treasuries (buildings)
Description
Detail view of Corinthian capitals and top of doorway to the Treasury or Al-Khazneh in Petra, Jordan. "The Treasury’s façade (24.9 meters wide x 38.77 meters high) most clearly embodies the Hellenistic style and reflects the influence of Alexandria, the greatest city in the Eastern Mediterranean at this time. Its architecture features a broken pediment and central tholos (a circular building) on the upper level; this architectural composition originated in Alexandria. Ornate Corinthian columns are used throughout ... The sculptural decoration also underscores a connection to the Hellenistic world. On the upper level, Amazons (bare-breasted) and Victories stand, flanking a central female figure (on the tholos), who is probably Isis-Tyche, a combination of the Egyptian Goddess, Isis, and Tyche, the Greek Goddess of good fortune. The lower level features the Greek twin gods, Castor and Pollux, the Dioscuri, who protected travelers and the dead on their journeys. There are other details from the artistic traditions of the Hellenistic world, including eagles, the symbols of royal Ptolemies, vines, vegetation, kantharoi (vase with large handles), and acroteria (architectural ornaments on a pediment). However, the tomb also features rosettes, a design originally associated with the ancient Near East,"--Kahn Academy website.
Material/Medium
sandstone
Measurements
Treasury’s façade (24.9 meters wide x 38.77 meters high)
Reproduction Type
jpeg
Copyright Statement
©2013 Lawrence Technological University. These images may be used for personal or educational purposes. They are not available for commercial purposes without the explicit permission of LTU.
ID Number
WA176
- Date Added
- November 29, 2016
- Collection
- LTU Digital Images
- Item Type
- VRA Core
- Tags
- capitals, Corinthian, tombs, treasury
- Citation
- “Petra,” LTU Digital Images, accessed March 29, 2024, https://ltuimagecollection.omeka.net/items/show/16568.