Architecture - Iran - page 603

DOMES & MINARETS
The development of the dome was one of the greatest achievements of Persian architecture. The Sassanians (AD
224-642) were the first to discover a satisfactory way of building a dome on top of a square chamber by using two
intermediate levels, or squinches - the lower octagonal and the higher 16-sided - on which the dome could rest.
Later domes became progressively more sophisticated, incorporating an inner semicircular dome sheathed by an
outer conical or even onion-shaped dome. Externally the domes were often encased in tiles, with patterns so elabor-
ate they had to be worked out on models at ground level first.
The minaret started life as an entirely functional tower, from the top of which the muezzin called the faithful to
prayer. However, during the Seljuk period (AD 1051-1220) minarets became tall, tapering spires, which were far
more decorative than practical. Since it is feared that someone standing atop a minaret can look into the private fam-
ily areas of nearby houses, Shiite mosques often have a separate hutlike structure on the roof from where the
muezzin makes the call to prayer ( azan ; though these days it's more likely to be a tape recording). Most minarets
still have a light, often green (the colour of Islam), in the uppermost gallery. Traditionally these lights and indeed the
minarets themselves acted as a beacon to direct people coming to town to pray.
Alexander the Great's arrival in 331 BC brought Greek and Macedonian architectural
styles. The ruined Anahita Temple at Kangavar, built with Greek capitals to honour a
Greek goddess, is probably the best remaining example. Under the Parthians (from 247
BC to AD 224) a few characteristically Persian features, including the iwan, began to ap-
pear, though little remains.
In the Sassanian period (AD 224-642), buildings became larger, heavier and more com-
plex even while stone was used less. Ardashir's Palace ( Click here ) at Firuz Abad is one
monumental example. The four- iwan plan with domed, square chambers became increas-
ingly common, with the distinctive Persian dome seen for the first time. The Sassanians
built fire temples throughout their empire and the simple plan of the earliest examples was
retained throughout the pre-Islamic era, even in the design of churches.
The Arab Conquest & Early Persian Islamic Style
The Arab conquest didn't supplant the well-developed Sassanian style but it did introduce
the Islamic element that was to have such a pervasive impact on Persian arts. Not only did
the Arab period (AD 642-1051) shape the nature and basic architectural plan of religious
buildings, but it also defined the type of decoration - no human representation was to be
permitted, and ceremonial tombs or monuments also fell from favour. In place of palace
complexes built as symbols of royal majesty came mosques designed as centres of daily
life for ordinary people.