The effect of the Building shapes of the Assyrian architecture on the Islamic architecture in Iraq (Abbasside era)

Abstract

This research paper investigates the profound impact of Assyrian architectural shapes on the development of Islamic architecture in Iraq, with a specific focus on the Abbasside era. An merger of cultural, religious, and artistic elements occurred during the region's shift from Assyrian civilisation to Islamic control, leading to an architectural change that combined features of both traditions. This study examines primary sources, historical accounts, archaeological findings, and visual representations using an interdisciplinary approach that integrates architectural history, archaeology, and art history. This study reveals the integration and adaption of Assyrian building shapes into the Abbasside architectural vocabulary by looking at architectural typologies including palaces, mosques, and office structures. This study aims to develop a thorough understanding of the ways that architectural shapes from the Assyrian tradition were adopted, altered, and recreated within the Islamic environment through comparative analysis. This study offers insights into the cultural resiliency that marked the growth of Islamic architecture in Iraq throughout the Abbasid period and advances our understanding of how ancient civilizations interacted with the creative creation of architectural shapes. This study deepens our understanding of the complex historical narratives that have affected the physical environment of the area by recognizing the long-lasting influence of Assyrian building designs. The research begins with previous studies in Assyrian and Islamic architecture, especially Abbasid architecture and the most important Assyrian buildings (palaces and temples) in order to clarify the most important indicators of the formal characteristics in Assyrian architecture. On the casse study , the research is divided into two branches: The first section is the questionnaire form distributed to 15 university professors that Dedicated to the topic, the questionnaire consists of four questions according to the indicators. The second section is the graphic analysis of the Assyrian and Islamic examples in order to know the most important formal influences of Assyrian architecture on Islamic architecture (Abbasid architecture). One of the most important conclusions in the research is the use of the square shape in Islamic (Abbasid) architecture. The central courtyard used in Assyrian architecture is one of the most important symbols shared between the two architectures. The central courtyard is widely used in Islamic (Abbasid) architecture.