Greek Architecture

Created by: Jenna Filardi, Meagan Cook, & Maddie Ritchie

     Ancient Greek architecture has played a major role in modern day structures. Many government buildings, houses, and churches use Greek styles for their columns and boarders. The Ionic and Doric orders are two styles that have many differences but both helped to shape the architectural world.

"Doric and Ionic Columns" Online Photograph. Encyclopedia Britannica Online School Edition. 8 Dec. 2008 <http://intranet.grundel.nl/thinkquest/order1.jpg>.

Doric Order

     The Doric ordered column is one of three kinds of columns found in Greek architecture. It was the oldest and originated in western Greece. It slowly moved down into southeastern Greece as the Dorians invaded the Aegean Area.

• The Doric columns are the simplest and plainest. Unlike the Ionic columns, the Doric order has a plain architrave with nothing on its surface. 

• These columns are typically cylindrical and smooth on the bottom and the top halves had broad and shallow flutes. There were usually 16 flutes per column. Although, as time went on the columns grew and soon there were 20 flutes on each colunm. (Greek Architecture: Fifth Edition, pg. 68)
• Doric columns have no base. (Essortment Website; Basic Greek and Roman Colunms and Arches) 

Where can you find Doric Columns?

The Parthenon is a prime example of Doric Architecture and is one of the most famous buildings in Ancient Greece. The Temple of Zeus at Olympia was one of the first examples of a completed temple design in Greece it is also considered a model for doric architecture.

Ancient Doric: 

"Parthenon." Online Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School                                                                                                                                                                                          Edition. 8 Dec. 2008  <http://school.eb.com/eb/art-76373>

Modern Doric:

"Doric order." Online Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition. document.write; 2008  <http://school.eb.com/eb/art-114687>.

Ionic Order

The Ionic columns is historically classifed by Italian architects as one of the three orders built by the Greeks. It originated in southern Italy.

• The Ionic order is a more elaborate and complicated style of architecture
• Usually consisting of 24 or more, the Ionic flutes are boldly separated (Greek Architecture; Fifth Edition)
• Ionic colums were tall and slender (Greek Architecture website; The Three Orders)
• The capitals are typically wavey or curled. (Essortment Website; Basic Greek and Roman)

   

   

Where can you find Ionic columns?

The coliseum in Rome, Italy is one example of where you can find Ionic columns that have lasted since their first construction.

The Erechtheun in Athens, Greece exhibits Ionic order. There are also many temples in Sicily that show the Ionic order.

Ancient Ionic:  

 "Acropolis: Erechtheum, front." Online Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School                                                                                                                                                   Edition. 8 Dec. 2008  <http://school.eb.com/eb/art-5390>.

Modern Ionic: 

"Ionic order." Online Photograph. Encyclopædia Britannica Online School Edition.; 2008  <http://school.eb.com/eb/art-114691>.

Vocabulary List

Architrave- n. a molded or decorated band framing a panel or an opening.

Triglyph- n. consisting typically of a rectangular block with two vertical grooves or glyphs.

Metope- n. any of the square spaces, either decorated or plain, between triglyphs in the Doric frieze.

Frieze- n. any decorative band at the top or beneath the cornice of an interior wall

Order- n. layout, style or sequence.

Works Cited

“Dorian.” Encyclopaedia Britannica Online School Edition. 2008. Encyclopaedia Britannica. 4 Dec. 2008 <http://school.eb.com/‌eb/‌article-9030970?query=dorians&ct=>.

“The five basic Greek and Roman columns and arches.” Essortment. 2002. google.  7 Dec. 2008 <http://www.essortment.com/‌all/‌greekcolumna_onx.htm>.

“fluting and reeding .” Encyclopaedia Britannica Online School Edition. 2008. Encyclopaedia Britannica. 5 Dec. 2008 <http://school.eb.com/‌eb/‌article-9034686?query=ionic%20and%20doric%20order&ct>.

Lawrence, A.W. Greek Architecture: Fifth Edition. New York: Pevsner, 1983.

Lee, Alex, James Arndt, and Shane Goldmacher. “Greek Architecture.” ThinkQuest.  7 Dec. 2008 <http://library.thinkquest.org/‌10098/‌greek.htm?tqskip1=1#three>.

Schulman, Bruce R. “Classical Orders of Architecture .” Charlotte-Mecklenburg  Historic Landmarks Commission.  4 Dec. 2008 <http://www.cmhpf.org/‌kids/‌dictionary/‌ClassicalOrders.html>.

Scranton, Robert L. The Great Ages of World Architecture: Greek Architecture. New York: Braziller, 1985.