Greek Architecture ( Lester )

GREEK ARCHITECTURE(650- 30 B.C.)

Greek architecture was essentially columnar and trabeated (trabs= a beam).

Dado- portion of a pedestal between its base and cornice. - term applied to the lower portions of walls when decorated separately.

Coffers- sunk panels, caissons or lacunaria formed in ceilings, vaults of domes.

Wooden roofs were untrussed, the rafters being supported by longitudinal beams-wall plates, purlins and ridge-piece-laid on the walls and colonnades themselves or propped or struts from cross beams.

mportant refinements were practised in Greek architecture in order to correct optical illusions.

about 600 B.C. Greek architecture sometimes has been called a “carpentry in marble”.

Ceiling sometimes omitted, leaving an open roof, were treated decoratively with timber- panelled coffers or, within the colonnades around temples, were of flat, stone slabs, coffered to imitate the timber.

“Naos” wall.

Another correction was to make the letters of inscriptions, when raised up on buildings, larger in the upper lines that in the lower so that they might appear all of one size when viewed from below.

Greek OrdersThe Greeks developed three architectural

systems, called orders, each with their own distinctive proportions and detailing. The

Greek orders are: Doric, Ionic, and 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.

Hellenistic Period(323- 30 B.C.)

Voussoirs- truncated wedge shaped blocks forming an arch.

Propylaea, Athens

Pediment- a triangular piece of wall above the entablature enclosed by ranking cornices.

Antifixae- ornamental blocks fixed vertically regular intervals along the lower edge of a roof, to cover the ends of tiles.

Naos-the principal chamber in a Greek temple containing the statue of the Deity.

- Types of Naos

A. Henostyle- one columnDistyle- two columnsTristyle- three columnsTetrastyle- four columnsPentastyle- five columnsHexastyle- six columnsHeptastyle- seven columnsOctastyle- eight columnsEnneastyle- nine columnsDecastyle- ten columnsDodecastyle- twelve columns

“In antis” temple have from one to four columns between antae at the front. Two is the usual number.

Amphi-antis”- temple have from one to four columns between antae at front and rear. Two is the usual number.

Prostyle”- temples have a portico of columns at the front.

Amphi- prostyle”- temples have a portico of columns at the front and rear.

“Peripteral”- temples have a single line of columns surrounding the naos.

Pseudo- peripteral”- temples have flank columns attached to the naos wall.

“ Dipteral”- temples have a double line of columns surrounding the naos.

“Pseudo- dipteral”- temples are like the last, but inner range of columns is omitted on the flanks of the Naos.

PericlesRebuilt temples and palaces better than everThe Parthenon

Temple of Zeus 470-457 BCE

Temple of Zeus 470-457 BCE

Temple of Hera II, Paestum, 460 BCE

Similar to Temple of Zeus at Olympia now destroyedSite of Olympic games

Temple of Hera II460 BCE

E Pediment (Temple of Zeus) 470-456 BCE

Chariot race btw Pelops and King OinomaosCenter Zeus, Oino and wife, Pelops and Hippodamia

The Acropolis in Athens

Acropolis aerial view

Focal point: The Parthenon

Propylaia: The entrance

The ParthenonIctinos and Kallikrates 447-438 BCE

Statuary from East pediment of ParthenonHelios rising, spectators witnessing

Temple of Athena NikeKallikrates 427-424 BC

Erechtheion

Erechtheion: Ionic Order Acropolis 421 BCPorch of Caryatids

Tomb at Halikarnassos for Mausolos, 4th

Cent BCE 4th wonder of the world 140’ tall Mausoleum