Ancient Greek Architecture: Styles, Features, and Orders

Greek Architecture

Introduction

In Greece, a series of models arises in sciences, art, etc., which then will expand through European influence. For this reason, Greece is considered the origin of Western civilization.

Greek art developed on the Balkan peninsula, where Greek civilization flourished. The Greek world was maintained until the time of Alexander the Great, with political factions in a series of city-states (polis), of which the most important was Athens.

We note three features of the Greek world affecting art:

1. Anthropocentrism: Man is the center. Any Greek cultural event is preceded by the importance given to men.
2. Greek thought: The Greeks were the first to use rational thought, leading to sciences such as philosophy and physics.
3. Religion: In Greece, more than religion, there was a religious spirit that pervaded everything. In sculpture, this highlights the images of gods, and in architecture, it highlights shrines and temples.

Chronology

In Greece, we distinguish three stages:

1. Archaic Stage: 8th, 7th, and 6th centuries BC
2. Classical Stage: The golden age, 5th and 4th centuries BC
3. Hellenistic Stage: 3rd and 2nd centuries BC

General Features of Greek Architecture

1. It is a lintel architecture.
2. The architecture is rational, mathematically calculated, and made to the measure of man.
3. The materials used are stone and marble.
4. The architecture is defined by an order, and the order is given by the column. There are three architectural orders:

• Doric

  The temple stands on a base of stairs called the stereobate, and the last step above is the stylobate. The Doric column is not based; the shaft goes directly to the ground, and the capital of the Doric order is the simplest. It consists of three parts: the necking, echinus, and abacus. The entablature consists of the architrave, frieze, and cornice.

  Architrave: This is a continuous band with no separation.

  Frieze: This consists of triglyphs and metopes.

  Cornice: This highlights the frieze.

  A triangular pediment completes the building.

• Ionic

  The temple stands on the stereobate. The Ionic column is based; the salient part of the column is called a torus, and the next is called a scotia. The most characteristic feature of the Ionic capital is formed with volutes. The architrave of the Ionic order is divided into three horizontal bands. The frieze is continuous, with no division, but may be decorated by embossing. The rest is the same, with the cornice and pediment.

• Corinthian

  The same as the Ionic order, except for the capital, which is more decorated. It consists of two parts: the first body with a double row of acanthus leaves, and the second body with a stem that is rolled in the center and corners, called cauliculi.

Architectural constructions were painted. There was a quest for visual harmony. The use of the canon (proportions) determined the size of the columns. Greek architecture includes buildings of interest, such as temples and theaters. Among these sets are the sanctuaries, and the outstanding work is the acropolis of Athens.