Through the architecture, a place of worshipwhether it's an ancient Sumerian temple or a Gothic churchnot only becomes a conduit to the heavenly, but a political device as well.
In the ancient Sumerian city of Urukcirca 3500 BCthe "White Temple" was built atop a ziggurata man-made mountain.
o Dedicated (probably) to the sky-god, Anuchief of the Sumerian gods.
o A system of stairs and ramps lead around a counter-clockwise direction up towards the entrance of the temple.
This winding ascent was a metaphor for the ascent into the divine realm.
o At the peak of the temple is where the priest or priestess would conduct ceremonies,
acting as the point of transfer from the earthly to the heavenly.
o The members of the community would watch the ascent of the elite group of the priests and leaders who had exclusive access to the temple.
Hagia Sophia ("church of holy wisdom"), Byzantine 532 AD
o Built by Anthemious of Tralles and......
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