The driveway gates Cape Town has to offer are a product of generations of design. The history of driveway gates are long, and the driveway gates Cape Town now houses represent that extensive history. A record that dates back thousands of years to the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and even Babylonians. These gates have been utilised throughout the ages for many purposes, including privacy, decoration, and protection. All of these cultures who drove the technology behind gates generally allow for the driveway gates Cape Town now has to show. If you want to know more about the history of driveway gates, this is the article for you. Let’s explore how the driveway gates developed in ancient cultures and ended up with the driveway gates Cape Town now has.
Ancient Driveway Gates In Egypt
The ancient Egyptians were recognised for their architectural prowess, and one only needs to think about the ancient wonders of the pyramids that still stand today to marvel at the architectural might of the ancient Egyptian civilisation. With this in mind, if considering the history of driveway gates Cape Town now presents, a logical place to start would be in Egypt. Some of the first examples of driveway gates known to man can be found in Egypt and can even be dated back to the old Kingdom period, roughly around 2600-2100 BCE. Gates like these were utilised as a form of protection for the entrances of important buildings, e.g. temples, palaces, and tombs. These are some of the earliest ancestors of the driveway gates Cape Town now houses, like those we see in front of parliamentary buildings and other essential buildings situated around Cape Town.
Most ancient Egyptian driveway gates were built with wood, decorated with intricate designs and carvings, and created from rare metals like bronze or gold. Some of these gates were ordained with hieroglyphics to convey religious stories and messages. Of course, back then, the only way to open these large gates was manually, usually by a group of servants or slaves. This is in stark contrast to the driveway gates Cape Town now boasts, where the gate will open instantly with one press of a button. The ancient Egyptians also used driveway gates for privacy. The gates were designed to keep out unwanted visitors and helped provide residents privacy. Egyptian entrances were often decorated with beautiful intricate symbols and patterns, like the Eye of Horus, which many believed to have protective properties.
Driveway Gates As Symbols Of Power
In ancient Egypt, gates were also perceived as a symbol of status and power. The gates of nobles, wealthy merchants, and pharaohs were constantly adorned with elaborate decorations like carvings, precious metals, and sculptures. Once again, this gate was operated by a small team of servants or guards who ensured that only authorised individuals were allowed to enter the property. This is similar to driveway gates Cape Town has to show in some wealthier areas, which also act as symbols of status.
Indeed, one of ancient Egypt’s most well-known and famous examples of driveway gates is the entrance into the Temple of Karnak in Luxor. The temple was constructed over centuries, with a massive gate over 100 feet high and 40 feet wide. The gate was made of granite and decorated with carvings of gods, pharaohs, and other important figures.
The Significance Of Gates In Ancient Egypt
Gates were important in ancient Egyptian society, symbolically and practically. The gates were not only used to protect important buildings but also to prevent unauthorised access. They were also used to provide privacy to the residents. This allowed them to live their lives with fewer intrusions and more privacy. Also, driveway gates were utilised as symbols of status and power. The gates of nobles, wealthy merchants, and pharaohs were constantly adorned with elaborate decorations. Today driveway gates, Cape Town houses can also be seen to be decorated with many different elaborate displays. This demonstrated their influence and wealth. These gates were also used to convey religious stories and messages, which reflected how important religion was to Egyptian society.
Ancient Greece
The ancient Greeks were well known for their spectacular architectural innovations, much of which was passed on from earlier civilisations like the ancient Egyptians. Their driveway gates were no exception. Some of Greece’s earliest known examples of driveway gates go back to the Mycenaean period, roughly around 1600-1100 BCE. These gates were utilised as protection for entrances to important buildings. These included fortresses and palaces, a tradition passed down from Egypt and still seen in driveway gates Cape Town has in place.
The majority of the ancient Greek driveway gates were constructed out of bronze or wood and were too adorned with stunning intricate designs and carvings. Some gates even had mythological or religious themes, depicting heroes and gods performing miracles. Of course, a manual system was still in place to open them, although the mechanisms with which they opened had developed and required smaller teams to operate them.
Gates As A Symbol of Power
In Greece, driveway gates commonly held great significance within their society. These gates often represented status and power. The gates of nobles, wealthy merchants, and kings were used not only for functional structures but were also adorned with elaborate decorations, such as reliefs, inscriptions, and sculptures. Embellishments such as these were designed to showcase the status and wealth of the property owner and function as a showcase of their cultural and artistic taste. This Greco tradition of large architectural art pieces has also been passed down to the driveway gates Cape Town is now proud of.
In addition, the guards were commonly stationed at all these gates to ensure that only authorised individuals were allowed to enter the property. A practice like this helped maintain the occupants’ and property’s security and safety. It also helped reinforce the notion that the property was essential and worthy of much attention and protection.
In ancient Greece, gates were seen as functional structures and cultural and societal symbols. They were a sign of the owner’s influence and, most importantly, their power. Trained and authorised individuals guarded these gates to ensure the property was safely secured. One of ancient Greece’s most well-known examples of gates is the Lion Gate at Mycenae. This gate was constructed around 1250 BCE and included two large lions carved in relief. The gate served as the main entrance into the city and was therefore used to protect its inhabitants from invaders. The gate could be swung open and closed and locked in extra security.
The Significance of Driveway Gates in Ancient Greece
Gates played quite a significant role in ancient Greek society, symbolically and practically too! These gates were also used to protect important buildings and stop intruders from entering the premises. Like the Egyptians, these gates were usually used by individuals with high status and power, including nobles, kings, and other wealthy merchants. Their entrances were always ornamented with intricate decorations to showcase their wealth. These gates were commonly used to relay mythology and religious messages. This demonstrates how vital these beliefs were to this society. Again many connections can be made to the driveway gates Cape Town now houses. Although these gates are not always statuses of power like in the past, there is a more extensive range, like those produced at Glow Innovations, and some of them can be considered beautiful pieces of art, rivalling those of ancient Egypt and Greece.
Ancient Driveway Gates in Babylon
Babylon, like Egypt and Greece, provides historians with notable examples of ancient gates, and many of those traditions can be found in driveway gates Cape Town has in place. The first known driveway gate dates back to 1700 BCE. These gates were also made from wood and manually operated by either guards or servants. As mentioned above with our Greek and Egyptian examples, Babylon’s driveway gates protected various entrances to important buildings, like temples and palaces.
As the city of Babylon grew in importance and size, so did its system of walls and gates. The walls of Babylon were lined with numerous gates and towers, which created a formidable barrier against invaders. These gates were built using stone and embellished with beautiful intricate designs and carvings, which reflected the advanced technological and artistic skills of Babylon. However, the security offered by the driveway gates Cape Town has erected for private residences, especially those installed by Glow Innovations, rival the safety of the ancient gates of Babylon, preventing unwanted security risks.
The Ishtar Gate is one of the most famous gates in the world, and when one thinks of gates in an ancient context, these are generally the first that come to mind. These world-famous gates were constructed around 575 BCE and included uniquely stunning, blue-glazed bricks with bulls, lions, and dragons. The gate was used as the main entrance to the city and as protection for all the inhabitants from possible invaders.
Medieval Driveway Gates
During the Middle Ages, gates became more common as they became characteristically linked to fortresses and castles, buildings that rapidly grew in popularity for the nobility of many nations, especially within Europe. These gates were made of either wood or iron and were heavily fortified to withstand attacks. A gatekeeper was generally designated to operate them and would have formed part of the larger military unit of the castle or fortress.
In Europe, gates symbolised well-fortified cities rather than power and wealth, as seen in previous examples. The gates of wealthy merchants and noblemen were usually adorned with crests, coats of arms, and sculptures. Guards generally operated these gates, but as technology advanced, these gates began to be automated, as either pully or gear-like systems drove the large defensive gates.
Modern Driveway Gates
In the 19th century, driveway gates in cape town were becoming more accessible to middle-class society as technologies and materials developed and became cheaper, which made manufacturing them cheaper. Wrought iron had become a prevalent material for constructing driveway gates as it was both decorative and durable. Electric gates were invented around the same time. This allowed these gates to be opened and closed automatically using electricity.
About Glow Innovations
Glow Innovations may not have been around as the gate manufacturers of Egypt, Babylon or Greece, but we have kept the tradition alive. We have been manufacturing and installing the best quality steel products in Cape Town since 2001. Our products have been designed by a team of specialist experts so that all your needs will be handled. We are your pedestrian gates, driveway gates, and security gates steel bar company and pride ourselves on delivering quality products, quality, and innovative designs. Call us today if you or your company require quality driveway gates in cape town!