Same reason why their facades are usually so intricate. Because they thought it looks good, makes them look grand, makes those underneath them feel small etc., and had the funds to make it so.
But, in spite of the big buildings, the filthy rich are the same size as us, and we outnumber them by billions. They have billions in dollars, we have billions in people. They'll lose hard and they know it if we ever get over our petty differences and focus on the true enemy in our midst. Hence the reason they do everything in their power to keep us divided over everything they possibly can.
I don't know how much this generalizes but I know that at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, the doors were made large enough for Emperors and then Sultans to be able to enter the building with their horses and carriage.
In addition to the psychological impact, somewhere hot like Italy, very high ceilings will keep the room cooler, and bigger doors and windows will aid in ventilation.
well, the purpose of all buildings is to protect the inside from the outside. If there were giants, we were unfriendly enough towards them to kill them all. It would be so expensive to make welcoming buildings for them, too.
Most likely, it was mess with people psychologically, adds to a better defense and simply, it looks more impressive than if you were to have a ordinary sized double doorway.
Psychologically because, are you more likely to want to go through a massive double door entryway or a normal sized single doorway? There's wonderment and/or worriment as to what lies on the other side of these doors than others.
With a wide, short door you have to hang it on the short side, and less space for hinges, which leads to large forces on the hinges.
A wide, tall door allows you to use more hinges, spread out, along a longer side and smaller forces on each hinge.
This makes even more sense with doors made with heavy materials, such as various metals. A heavy door needs more hinges, and a tall door has room for more hinges.
If fantasy/scifi has taught me anything, it's because the ancients were larger than us. You'll also find their technology to be significantly more advanced and mysterious, possibly a cure or explanation to the terrible blight that has fallen over the land.
In addition to the other reasons listed here, it was not uncommon to lead large processions through these doors which often carried large, tall weapons, people mounted on horseback, and other large, tall, banners, regalia, etc. that required high clearances.
This article suggests it's as a display of wealth and power, but also for practical reasons like letting in crowds of people.
It also says:
Earlier architecture relied on heavy pivots and iron strap hinges, requiring oversized doors for structural support. But the development of newer materials and designs allowed for more practical, durable doors without the need for excessive size.
It links to another article about door construction back in the day, if you want to learn even more about them.
42 Comments
rumschlumpel@feddit.org · 55 pts · 34d
Same reason why their facades are usually so intricate. Because they thought it looks good, makes them look grand, makes those underneath them feel small etc., and had the funds to make it so.
DarrinBrunner@lemmy.world · 37 pts · 34d
To impress the poors.
But, in spite of the big buildings, the filthy rich are the same size as us, and we outnumber them by billions. They have billions in dollars, we have billions in people. They'll lose hard and they know it if we ever get over our petty differences and focus on the true enemy in our midst. Hence the reason they do everything in their power to keep us divided over everything they possibly can.
Dionysus@leminal.space · 5 pts · 34d
That's why the Borg are so scary.
BoosBeau@lemmy.world · 24 pts · 34d
Well, because they built them that way.
OldChicoAle@lemmy.world · 17 pts · 34d
You can tell that's true by the way things are.
LeighWeighTacoma@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 34d
You can tell it's an oak tree because of the way that it is heh heh
bhamlin@lemmy.world · 4 pts · 34d
Can confirm, they did.
StillAlive@piefed.world · 23 pts · 34d
boonhet@sopuli.xyz · 15 pts · 34d
Remember the alamy
TehBamski@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 34d
That's odd. I don't recall hearing that Mexico had war elephants during the alamy battle.
isles@lemmy.world · 1 pts · 32d
Try opening a history book sometime 🙄
Oofnik@kbin.earth · 22 pts · 34d
I don't know how much this generalizes but I know that at the Hagia Sophia in Istanbul, the doors were made large enough for Emperors and then Sultans to be able to enter the building with their horses and carriage.
kaidenshi@lemmy.world · 18 pts · 34d
Hey, the Great Old Ones need access too. Don’t discriminate!
boatswain@infosec.pub · 18 pts · 34d
In addition to the psychological impact, somewhere hot like Italy, very high ceilings will keep the room cooler, and bigger doors and windows will aid in ventilation.
VitoRobles@lemmy.today · 16 pts · 34d
I'm noticing that whole Reddit watermark more frequently.
On one hand, it's disgusting as heck to put in a watermark.
On the other hand, it's pretty effective. People see it, and join that subreddit.
I wouldn't mind Lemmy watermarks if it helps grow the community.
daychilde@lemmy.world · 8 pts · 34d
I suspect you would be a very tiny minority.
I'm ambivalent on the topic, to be honest. But was amused by the thought of ornery lemmyngs reading your comment and bursting with outrage.
(Of course, now that I've posted that, it'll turn out that there's a huge outswell of support for the idea lol)
Godric@lemmy.world · 5 pts · 34d
I'm OK with the reddit watermark, but I also consider it part of posting etiquette to remove it before reposting elsewhere
grahamja@reddthat.com · 2 pts · 33d
The reddit ones aren't terrible, but it is a slippery slope back to the Ebaumsworld watermarks debacle.
ButteryMonkey@piefed.social · 16 pts · 34d
How else were you supposed to bring trojan horses inside? If you’re cold, they’re cold!
Skullgrid@lemmy.world · 14 pts · 34d
When giants used to roam the earth, these buildings were created by people that wanted to treat them fairly
vector42@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 34d
The world was so much more inclusive then.
jmill@lemmy.zip · 5 pts · 34d
Was it, or did they just not want to piss off the guy who needed a door that tall?
humanspiral@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 33d
well, the purpose of all buildings is to protect the inside from the outside. If there were giants, we were unfriendly enough towards them to kill them all. It would be so expensive to make welcoming buildings for them, too.
olafurp@lemmy.world · 13 pts · 33d
It's probably ties back to Romans and Greeks building temples. Doors were made big so the gods could get through them comfortably and visit.
Wouldn't be too crazy to see the trend continuing because it looks good.
Madison420@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 33d
Correct though the doors on the Pantheon aren't thought to be ancient but rather modern era rebuilds with ancient parts.
itsgroundhogdayagain@lemmy.ml · 10 pts · 34d
People were much taller back then.
hoch@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 34d
This is what they mean by "humanity is in decline"
TehBamski@lemmy.world · 10 pts · 34d
To better fit the royal egos through.
Ha! I kid, I kid.
Most likely, it was mess with people psychologically, adds to a better defense and simply, it looks more impressive than if you were to have a ordinary sized double doorway.
Psychologically because, are you more likely to want to go through a massive double door entryway or a normal sized single doorway? There's wonderment and/or worriment as to what lies on the other side of these doors than others.
mlg@lemmy.world · 9 pts · 34d
I like how out of all of the answers in this thread, no one said high volume traffic.
Almost like a gated city has a ton of people going in and out all the time hauling trade, materials, technology, etc.
If only there was some way to prevent making a bottle neck of traffic and ensuring that large structures can also pass through the wall when needed.
skunk@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 34d
Where they walking on top of each other or why make the doors so huge? 🤔 i can understand wide, the other dimension is what I'm puzzled by
Johandea@feddit.nu · 15 pts · 34d
Don't forget the physics of holding the door.
With a wide, short door you have to hang it on the short side, and less space for hinges, which leads to large forces on the hinges.
A wide, tall door allows you to use more hinges, spread out, along a longer side and smaller forces on each hinge.
This makes even more sense with doors made with heavy materials, such as various metals. A heavy door needs more hinges, and a tall door has room for more hinges.
skunk@lemmy.zip · 6 pts · 34d
I'm a skunk sweetie I wouldn't know anything about holding doors but I asked the expert and he said you're right
Seriously though that makes a lot of sense thank you!
BeardededSquidward@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 5 pts · 34d
Multiple use, large and hard to break down in a siege, large enough to let plenty of traffic through of various sizes.
skunk@lemmy.zip · 0 pts · 34d
Also that processions thing people are talking about, that makes a lot of sense to me too
PyroNeurosis@lemmy.blahaj.zone · 2 pts · 33d
Just one more cubit of door, bro. It'll solve all our traffic problems, bro.
taiyang@lemmy.world · 7 pts · 34d
If fantasy/scifi has taught me anything, it's because the ancients were larger than us. You'll also find their technology to be significantly more advanced and mysterious, possibly a cure or explanation to the terrible blight that has fallen over the land.
eurodyne@piefed.world · 6 pts · 34d
In addition to the other reasons listed here, it was not uncommon to lead large processions through these doors which often carried large, tall weapons, people mounted on horseback, and other large, tall, banners, regalia, etc. that required high clearances.
halfapage@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 34d
celeste@kbin.earth · 4 pts · 34d
https://historyfacts.com/world-history/article/why-are-historical-doors-so-large/
This article suggests it's as a display of wealth and power, but also for practical reasons like letting in crowds of people.
It also says:
It links to another article about door construction back in the day, if you want to learn even more about them.
https://www.buildingconservation.com/articles/early-timber-doors/early-timber-doors.htm
Vinylraupe@lemmy.zip · 3 pts · 33d
The craftsmen of that time probably crafted siege equipment in the city and wanted to get it out on the field.
bold_atlas@lemmy.world · 3 pts · 33d
Because the door dealerships made more money.
homik@slrpnk.net · 2 pts · 34d
Sounds like a yo momma joke.
Kowowow@lemmy.ca · 1 pts · 34d
it's not just about welth it's like having the power to make giant doors from what could be the very best military technology of that time period