How does the Dome of the Rock reflect Byzantine architectural traditions?

The Dome of the Rock reflects Byzantine architectural traditions through both its structural form and its decorative techniques.1

• Structural Design: The shrine is modeled after a class of Byzantine religious buildings known as martyria—polygonal or circular structures typically used to commemorate saints or significant religious events. Its octagonal base and central dome, which rises above a drum and a series of piers and columns, mirror the central-plan designs common in Byzantine architecture.12
• Ornamentation: The interior and exterior are adorned with marble and mosaics that utilize techniques similar to those found in Byzantine churches. However, the Dome of the Rock adapts these traditions by excluding human or animal figures, instead featuring Arabic script and vegetal patterns.1

By adopting these established architectural elements, the structure’s grand scale and lavish style were likely intended to rival the Christian holy buildings of Jerusalem, such as the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, while asserting the identity of the nascent Islamic empire.1