Editing Gothic architecture (section)

== Influences ==
{{main|Influences upon Gothic architecture}}
The Gothic style of architecture was strongly influenced by the [[Romanesque architecture]] which preceded it; by the growing population and wealth of European cities, and by the desire to express local grandeur.{{sfn|Watkin|1986|p=126}} It was influenced by theological doctrines which called for more light{{sfn|Watkin|1986|pp=127-128}} and by technical improvements in vaults and buttresses that allowed much greater height and larger windows. It was also influenced by the necessity of many churches, such as [[Chartres Cathedral]] and [[Canterbury Cathedral]], to accommodate growing numbers of pilgrims.{{sfn|Watkin|1986|p=131}} It adapted features from earlier styles. According to Charles Texier (French historian, architect, and archaeologist) and Josef Strzygowski (Polish-Austrian art historian), after lengthy research and study of cathedrals in the medieval city of [[Ani]], the capital of the medieval kingdom of Armenia concluded to have discovered the oldest Gothic arch. According to these historians, the architecture of the [[Saint Hripsime Church]] near the Armenian religious seat Etchmiadzin was built in the fourth century A.D. and was repaired in 618. The cathedral of Ani was built in 980–1012 A.D. However many of the elements of Islamic and Armenian architecture that have been cited as influences on Gothic architecture also appeared in Late Roman and Byzantine architecture, the most noticeable example being the pointed arch and flying buttress.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Stewart |first1=Charles Anthony |title=Flying Buttress and Pointed Arch in Byzantine Cyprus |journal=University of Pennsylvania - School of Arts & Sciences |url=https://www.sas.upenn.edu/ancient/masons/edited_papers/Stweart_Flying_Buttresses.pdf}}</ref> The most notable example is the capitals, which are forerunners of the Gothic style and deviated from the Classical standards of ancient Greece and Rome with serpentine lines and naturalistic forms.