Column
The structural and decorative backbone of architecture through the ages.
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A column is a structural element that transmits the weight above to elements below through compression.[1] A large round support made of stone (or appearing so), featuring a capital and a base, is what the term column especially describes.[1]
Quick Facts
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- Architecture and structural engineering
Facts from the source article.
Key facts and history
In ancient Egyptian architecture as early as 2600 BC, architect Imhotep used stone columns carved to resemble bundled reeds.[2] Some of the most elaborate ancient columns were those of the Persians, including double-bull structures in their capitals.[3] Many ancient Persian columns still stand at Persepolis, some originally around 20–24 metres tall.[3] Indo-Corinthian capitals, combining Hellenistic and Indian elements, are dated to the first centuries of the Common Era.[4]
At Teotihuacan, the Palace of Quetzalpapálotl featured columns decorated with low-relief carvings.[5] Columns at Chichen Itza appear in colonnaded halls and gallery‑patios, many carved with figures of military significance.[6] Darius I (524–486 BC), an Achaemenid king, constructed the Hall of Hundred Columns at Persepolis, which measures 70 by 70 metres.[3]
What the research sources say
The Open Library record for "Ancient Egyptians" (ISBN 9780195122213) lists Oxford University Press, USA, as its publisher and August 31, 2001, as its publication date.[7] According to its Open Library record (ISBN 9780826328014), "Mesoamerica's Ancient Cities" was published by University of New Mexico Press on December 3, 2001.[8]
References
- Wikipedia, "Column" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Column - Definition and More from the Free Merriam-Webster Dictionary", Merriam-webster.com, 2012-08-31 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Column" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Baker, "Ancient Egyptians: People of the Pyramids", Oxford University Press, 2001, p. 23 (we also read that source) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Column" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: "Persepolis: The Audience Hall of Darius and Xerxes", Smarthistory (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Column" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Errington, "Charles Masson and the Buddhist Sites of Afghanistan: Explorations, Excavations, Collections 1832–1835", British Museum, 2017, p. 156–159 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Column" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Ferguson, "Mesoamerica's Ancient Cities", UNM Press, 2001, p. 22; Ferguson, "Mesoamerica's Ancient Cities", UNM Press, 2001, p. 29 (original not read by us) en.wikipedia.org
- Wikipedia, "Column" (CC BY-SA 4.0), which cites: Wren, "Landscapes of the Itza: Archaeology and Art History at Chichen Itza and Neighboring Sites", University Press of Florida, 12 December 2017, p. 140–141; Wren, "Landscapes of the Itza: Archaeology and Art History at Chichen Itza and Neighboring Sites", University Press of Florida, 12 December 2017, p. 140–141; Wren, "Landscapes of the Itza: Archaeology and Art History at Chichen Itza and Neighboring Sites", University Press of Florida, 12 December 2017, p. 140–141; Wren, "Landscapes of the Itza: Archaeology and Art History at Chichen Itza an en.wikipedia.org
- Open Library record, ISBN 9780195122213 ("Ancient Egyptians"). CC0 (metadata); book content not read. openlibrary.org
- Open Library record, ISBN 9780826328014 ("Mesoamerica's Ancient Cities"). CC0 (metadata); book content not read. openlibrary.org
Each numbered sentence above was checked against the source it cites before publication. Sentences citing Wikipedia adapt text from the English Wikipedia article Column (contributors), used under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is available under the same licence. Other sources were used for facts only; no text or images are copied from them.
More in Construction & Materials
Sources
Compiled from Wikipedia and the sources listed below. Text from Wikipedia is available under CC BY-SA 4.0; this entry is adapted from it.
- Wikipedia: Column (CC BY-SA 4.0).
- Word definitions: the Codexery glossary, each quoted from its Wikipedia article.
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