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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 scrolllike 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.
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.
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
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.