Page:A history of architecture on the comparative method for the student, craftsman, and amateur.djvu/90

 WESTERN ASIATIC ARCHI TECTURE. " Babylon. Learned and wise, hath perished utlerly, Nor leaves her speech one word to aid the sigh TJiat would lament lier." WoKliswORi'H. I. INFLUENCES. i. Geographical. — On referring to the map (No. ii)it will he seen that the principal ancient cities of Western Asia were situated in the valley of the twin-rivers Tigris and Euphrates. The district was one of the earliest seats of civilization, being celebrated for its great fertility, and has been styled the cradle and tomb of nations and empires. The plain of Mesopotamia, once the seat of a high civilization, was irrigated by numerous canals between the above-mentioned rivers, and was highly culti- vated, supporting an immense population round Nineveh and Babylon. The earliest known buildings appear to have been erected at the mouth of the great rivers draining the country, and in this respect can be compared with Egypt (No. 3), where the