Architecture, the Timeless Gem

Unlike many other practical professions,to identified each period of time: Doric, Ionic, and
architecture is an ancient discipline responsible forCorinthian. The Romans inherited from the Greeks
the design of structures and buildings whose rootsmost of their traditions, beliefs, and customs,
can be traced back to thousands of years B.C.including architecture, but they also developed
Architectural history can take you through thetheir own: as an example the Via Appia in Rome,
evolution of those structures that served as aand other surviving structures running from Italy
landmark to remote civilizations, such as theto Great Britain. Architectural history was
Phoenicians and the legendary Tower of Babel, orinfluenced by artistic, economic, politic, and
the Egyptians and their incredible mortuarysocio-cultural events throughout the centuries, and
architecture, reflected in pyramids, tombs, andEurope became the cradle of many renowned
many other ancient buildings along the Nile River.architects in the years following the fall of the
In fact, the first big architectural design recordedRoman Empire. From Baroque to Art Nouveau,
in history was the work of Imhotep, Egyptianpassing through Gothic, Romanesque, Renaissance,
vizier, doctor, high priest, and scribe to KingChurrigueresque, and many other architectural
Djoser. Imhotep designed and built the complexstyles, we can enjoy today an eclectic blending of
that took the name of his king, between thebuildings, homes, and other structures that
years 2630 to 2611 BC. Vestiges of the mostpresent to us their past. Curiously, other human
varied architecture speak for themselves aboutdisciplines have been also associated with
the most varied civilizations, traditions, and beliefsarchitecture, such as metaphysics, by the hand of
around the world. Without architecture, the historyfraternal organizations such as the Freemasonry,
of mankind would be incomplete. Many survivingestablished in London as a secret society in 1717.
buildings of the ancient world are examples of theNaming themselves the Order of the Free and
great things that architecture can do for theAccepted Masons, this fraternity encompasses
world. Among them, we can name the Greatnowadays a large number of international lodges
Pyramid of Giza, listed as one of the sevenunder the symbol of a square and compasses
wonders of the ancient world, and the Great Wallwith a letter "G" associated with the building of
of China, built between the years 221 to 206 BC.the Temple of King Solomon. As time passes, the
Time evolved and all buildings and design began toactual architecture differs in shape, materials,
take special characteristics, becoming symbols ofconstruction methods, and designing goals, but the
different eras identified as architectural styles. Inwork of the architects will endure for generations
ancient Greece, where buildings seemed to alwaysto come.
be the same, there were three types of columns