Architecture (Greek - here: basis, origin; and Latin tectum - house, shelter) is the art of designing and constructing buildings.
The beginning of the history of architecture dates back to the time of the primitive communal system, when the first dwellings and settlements built by man appeared. Were mastered the primitive methods of organizing space based on a rectangle and a circle. With the emergence of ancient states, a new form of settlement took shape - a city as a center of government and trade.
Ancient architecture of ancient states
In the conditions of the slave-owning democracy of ancient Greece, a whole system of city-states was created. The system of planning and positioning of streets is developing, with a straight grid of streets and an area - the center of the city, trade and public life. The temple was the architectural and cultural center of the city. The peripter became the classically completed type of temple (for example, the Parthenon in Athens).
In ancient Rome, a power that inherited the traditions of ancient Greek architecture, buildings that expressed the power of the republic and that met the needs of a state with a slave-holding system acquired the leading importance. For the construction of large buildings, the emergence of new building materials (for example, concrete) played an important role.
No longer ancient architecture of the feudal era
In the era of feudalism, architecture develops on the basis of the achievements of the division of labor. The labor of slaves who erected monuments of ancient architecture is replaced by the labor of professional artisans. Under feudalism, the area of distribution of monumental architecture expanded significantly, covering Europe, Asia, most of Africa, part of America.
In the countries of Western Europe, with the revival of cities at the end of the 10th century, a type of residential building of 2-3 floors began to develop, with workshops and shops below. The architecture of the Romanesque style is taking shape. Monastic complexes with closed courtyards surrounded by arcades appear in cult architecture. In the second half of the XII century, Gothic architecture developed in France, reflecting the highest stage in the development of feudal society. The peoples of the Arab East made a great contribution to the development of the architecture of the era of feudalism. Such cities as Bukhara, Merv, Termez, Khiva and others are becoming major centers. Their monumental buildings were erected from fired bricks using various mosaics in facing. The strict symmetry of the composition distinguished the large shopping and cultural centers among the picturesque quarters of low adobe or residential adobe buildings.
Renaissance
An important stage in the development of architecture is associated with the culture of the Renaissance, which arose at the beginning of the 15th century in the cities of Tuscany. Humanism was put on a religious medieval basis, which sought support in the ancient heritage of ancient architecture, which was vividly reflected in the Architecture of public buildings. Craftsmen are being replaced by specialist architects. In the involuntarily arising asymmetry of gradually developing ensembles, clear, complete geometric systems were set as an expression of the volitional, organizing principle. During the Renaissance, a new theory of architecture develops. Renaissance architecture outside of Italy was less consistent in overcoming Medieval traditions and underwent a complex long evolution.
Over the course of many centuries, architecture has had different images, has constantly changed, the centers of architectural structures have changed, materials have changed. Each new era was built on the basis of the previous one, decorating and improving it.