The Classical Orders
The Greek architecture used specific styles called orders. Orders are the parts of a structure using rows of columns. There are three types of orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. Generally, they are used along the exterior of a building which is rested on a platform to support the roof. These orders are distinguished by its own design, arrangement, and decorations of the columns.
The Doric Order |
The Ionic Order |
Among the three orders, Doric order was first to develop. It’s known as the most basic order. The Doric order was was used in mainland Greece and the colonies in southern Italy and Sicily. It only had three main parts: a stepped platform, columns, and an entablature. As the Greeks develop this order, they began to use stone without using mortar(A mixture which hold the stones together).
Doric Order. N.d. Vulgarie. Web. 14 Dec. 2014. <http://art1hhera1.webs.com/
doric.gif>. |
The Ionic order was developed after Doric order in the islands of Aegean and in Asia Minor. It was found in eastern Greece and the islands. The Ironic order was more light and ornate than the Doric order. Additionally, it rested on a carved base and had more slender and graceful shaft than the Doric column. At first, it was used simply to support statues. Then large Ionic temple for the goddess Hera was built on the island of Samos. Several years later, architectures used the Ionic order in the temple of Athena Nike and in the Erechtheum located on the Acropolis of Athens.
Ionic Order. N.d. Ionic Order. Web. 14 Dec. 2014.
<http://interactiveancients.files.wordpress.com/2013/04/ionic.jpg>. |
The Corinthian Order
The Corinthian order was developed after the Ionic order. It was used in the Greek world, but often seen on Roman temples. Its style and capital makes it distinct from both the Doric and Ionic order. The capital of Corinthian column looks like an upside-down bell. It is decorated with carvings of the leaves of the acanthus plant. Greek architectures used the Corinthian capital only for interiors. Later on, it was spread to the exterior of large buildings. The Romans used the Corinthian order in their most important monuments because they liked it so much.
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The Corinthian Order. N.d. Interactive Ancients. Web. 14 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.cmhpf.org/kids/Pix-n-stuff/Corinth.gif>. |
Influence of Classical Orders in Greece
The ParthenonThe Parthenon on the Acropolis of the Athens and the temple of Poseidon in Paestum are the two examples of Doric order which are visible today. The Parthenon was built on the Acropolis It was a temple built for the Greek goddess named Athena. In 480 BC, the temple was destroyed by the Persians. Under the order of Pericles, the temple was rebuilt in 447 BC. It was built with ivory and gold by the famous sculptor named Phidias. This showed the Athenian dominace over the rest of the Greek world. The money used in the Parthenon construction came from the Delian League funds. "The Delian League was a treaty between the Greek states in league against the Persian Empire." However, the League continued to set a boundary from the Persians even after the Athenians signed a peace tready with the Persians. This ended the war, and the League finally stopped and became part of Athenian Empire.
The Parthenon. Gail Skroback Hennessey. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Dec. 2014. <http://www.wpclipart.com/buildings/famous/Parthenon/Parthenon_2.jpg>.
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The ErechtheumThe Erechtheum was built on the Acropolis of Athens between 421 and 405 BC. It's a shrines with sanctuaries to Athena Polias, Poseidon, and Erechtheus. It had cella(inner chamber of a temple) in the lower level through a fine dorway. This is an example of Greek architecture which used Ionic columns. The most famous feature of the Erechtheum is the Porch of the Caryatids. It has sculptured draped female figures serving as a column to support the entablature on their head.
"The Erechtheum." Flicker. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2014.
<https://c1.staticflickr.com/3/2526/5839159669_a1a5a2c379_z.jpg>. "The Caryatids (The Erechtheum)." Lisa Confetti. N.p., 22 May 2012. Web. 14 Dec.
2014. <https://lisaconfetti.files.wordpress.com/2011/05/ erechtheion-caryatid-2-copy.jpg>. |
The Temple of Apollo
The Temple of Apollo is known for its incorporation of all three of the classical orders. It contained the earliest known example of Corinthian capital in the middle of naos. Then the Ionic columns are lined side by side. In the outside, the temple was supported by the strong Doric columns. The temple was dedicated to the Greek goddess named Athena. Apollo was known as a god of healing during the mid-severth century BC. That was when the people of Phigaleia was attacked by the Spartan warriors and plague. Several years later, Apollo became a helper to the Phigalians. In return, the Phigalians ordered the architect Ictinus to build a temple of Apollo at the Bassae.
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The temple of Apollo. N.d. Writing the past. Web. 14 Dec. 2014.
<http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h4geJnnYjuI/Uc8E9v3zqQI/AAAAAAAACY8/im0yvTPFLa0/ s522/Interior+artist+rep.+Temple+of+Apollo+Bassae.png>. |
Influence of Greek Architecture in Modern World
The Lincoln Memorial
Peterson, Emily J. "The Lincoln Memorial." The Lincoln Memorial. N.p., 2013.
Web. 14 Dec. 2014. <http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/emilypeterson4/Images/
vtour/Lincoln_Memorial.jpg>.
Web. 14 Dec. 2014. <http://edtech2.boisestate.edu/emilypeterson4/Images/
vtour/Lincoln_Memorial.jpg>.
This is a photograph of the Lincoln Memorial. The monument is built in a Greek temple style with a statue of Lincoln sitting in the center. The type of column used for this monument is the Doric column, and this shows how ancient Greek architecture has influenced modern architecture.
"Thomas Jefferson Memorial." Jefferson Memorial. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.stgabriel.net/school/Washington%20DC/Student%20Files/ shelby%20zirnheld%20web%20project/jefferson-memorial-picture.jpg>. |
"The Supreme Court." Wealthy Nations. N.p., n.d. Web. 14 Dec. 2014.
<http://www.wealthynation.org/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/ Supreme-Court.jpg>. |
This is a photograph of the Thomas Jefferson Memorial. It used the Ionic columns to support the monument. This shows how ancient Greek architecture has influenced modern architecture.
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This is a photograph of the Supreme Court. It used the Corinthian columns to support the monument. This shows how ancient Greek architecture has influenced modern architecture.
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Want to learn more about Classical Orders?
The Classical Orders. Youtube. N.p., n.d. Web. 17 Dec. 2014.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrRJkzXl4a4&list=WL&index=3>.
<https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrRJkzXl4a4&list=WL&index=3>.