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Architectural Systems
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The Greeks developed three architectural systems, called orders, each with their
own distinctive proportions and detailing. The Greek orders are: Doric, Ionic, and
Corinthian.
Doric
Ionic
Corinthian
The Doric style is rather
sturdy and its top (the
capital), is plain. This
style was used in
mainland Greece and
the colonies in southern
Italy and Sicily.
The Ionic style is thinner
and more elegant. Its
capital is decorated with a
scroll-like
design
(a
volute). This style was
found in eastern Greece
and the islands.
The Corinthian style is
seldom used in the
Greek world, but often
seen on Roman temples.
Its capital is very
elaborate and decorated
with acanthus leaves.
Doric Order:
Parthenon - temple of Athena Parthenos ("Virgin"), Greek goddess of wisdom, on the
Acropolis in Athens. The Parthenon was built in the 5th century BC, and despite the
enormous damage it has sustained over the centuries, it still communicates the ideals of
order and harmony for which Greek architecture is known.
Ionic Order:
Erechtheum - temple from the middle classical period of Greek art and architecture,
built
on
the
Acropolis
of
Athens
between
421
and
405BC.
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The Erechtheum contained sanctuaries to Athena Polias, Poseidon, and Erechtheus. The
requirements of the several shrines and the location upon a sloping site produced an
unusual plan. From the body of the building porticoes project on east, north, and south
sides. The eastern portico, hexastyle Ionic, gave access to the shrine of Athena, which
was separated by a partition from the western cella. The northern portico, tetrastyle Ionic,
stands at a lower level and gives access to the western cella through a fine doorway. The
southern portico, known as the Porch of the Caryatids (see caryatid) from the six
sculptured draped female figures that support its entablature, is the temple's most striking
feature; it forms a gallery or tribune. The west end of the building, with windows and
engaged Ionic columns, is a modification of the original, built by the Romans when they
restored the building. One of the east columns and one of the caryatids were removed to
London by Lord Elgin, replicas being installed in their places.
The Temple of Apollo at Didyma - The Greeks built the Temple of Apollo at Didyma,
Turkey (about 300 BC). The design of the temple was known as dipteral, a term that
refers to the two sets of columns surrounding the interior section. These columns
surrounded a small chamber that housed the statue of Apollo. With Ionic columns
reaching 19.5 m (64 ft) high, these ruins suggest the former grandeur of the ancient
temple.
The Temple of Athena Nike - part of the Acropolis in the city of Athens. The Greeks
built the Temple of Apollo at Didyma, Turkey (about 300 BC). The design of the temple
was known as dipteral, a term that refers to the two sets of columns surrounding the
interior section. These columns surrounded a small chamber that housed the statue of
Apollo. With Ionic columns reaching 19.5 m (64 ft) high, these ruins suggest the former
grandeur
of
the
ancient
temple.
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Corinthian Order:
- most ornate of the classic orders of architecture. It was also the latest, not arriving at full
development until the middle of the 4th cent. B.C. The oldest known example, however,
is found in the temple of Apollo at Bassae (c.420 B.C.). The Greeks made little use of the
order; the chief example is the circular structure at Athens known as the choragic
monument of Lysicrates ( 335 B.C.). The temple of Zeus at Athens (started in the 2d cent.
B.C. and completed by Emperor Hadrian in the 2d cent. A.D.) was perhaps the most
notable of the Corinthian temples.
Acropolis
Acropolis in Greek means "The Sacred Rock, the high city". All around the world the
Acropolis of Athens is known as 'The Acropolis'. There are many Acropolises in Greece
but the Acropolis of Athens is the best known. The Acropolis is primarily dedicated to
the Goddess Athena. But humans from the prehistoric era have populated the Acropolis
and the caves around it. Situated in the middle of Athens, many myths, festivals and
important events are connected to the sacred Acropolis. The Acropolis echoes the
grandeur and the power of the Athenian empire....
Parthenon
Work began on the Parthenon, built on the Acropolis, in 447 BC to replace an existing
temple which was destroyed by the Persians in 480 BC and cost 469 silver talents to
build. The work began under the orders of Pericles to show the wealth and exuberance of
Athenian power. The name of the building most likely came from a cult statue of Athena
Parthenos housed in the eastern room of the building. This magnificent structure was
built of ivory and gold and was sculptured by the renowned sculptor Phidias. As with
most buildings on the Acropolis it was dedicated to Athena to thank the Goddess for their
success. The Parthenon was finally finished in 432 BC and was to show the world the
dominance and power of Athens. The vast majority of the money used in the construction
came from the Delian League funds. The Delian League was a treaty between the Greek
states in league against the Persian Empire. However two years before work started on
the Parthenon, the Athenians had struck a peace treaty with the Persians ending the war,
although the League continued to exist. It is believed that because of this the league
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stopped being a mutual defence against Persia but part of the Athenian Empire. This
theory was reinforced when Athens moved the Leagues treasury from the Pan-Hellenic
sanctuary at Delos to the Parthenon (Opisthodomos room). Not only was the Parthenon a
magnificent structure to look at, but it also showed Athenian dominance over the rest of
the Greek peninsula and that Athens was its Greek imperial master.
Sculpture
Greek art and sculpture has had a profound effect throughout the ages. Many of the styles
have been reproduced and copied by some of what the modern day audiences would class
as some of the finest artists to have ever lived e.g. Michelangelo. Western art and
sculpture derived from Roman art, while in the East, Alexander the Great's conquest gave
birth to Greco-Buddhist art, which has even had an influence as far as Japan all of which
stem from ancient Greek art. The Greeks used many different types of materials in their
sculptures including stone, marble and limestone as these were abundant in Greece. Other
materials such as clay were also used but due to their brittle nature very few have
survived. Greek sculptures are very important as the vast majority of them tell us a story
about Gods, Heroes, Events, Mythical Creatures and Greek culture in general. Many of
the statues that have survived are actually of Roman origin. Like many people today the
Romans had a deep respect for Greek sculptures and many were copied. If the Romans
had not made these copies, many of the Greek Legends and stories that we know today
would have been lost to antiquity. Greek sculptures are mainly divided into 7 time
periods - Mycenaean Art, Sub-Mycenaean or Dark Age, Proto-Geometric, Geometric Art,
Archaic, Classical and Hellenistic.
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