Ancient Greece Architecture
Ancient Greek builders aimed for accuracy and excellence in their work, shaping architecture for centuries. The two main styles were the Doric and Ionic orders, each with distinct features like grooved columns and decorative tops.
- Doric temples, like the Temple of Apollo at Corinth, featured grooved columns without bases, simple horizontal bands, and triangular spaces adorned with sculpture.
- Ionic temples had supports for columns, more complex tops with spiral ornaments, and decorative bands with continuous raised sculptures.
- Doric architecture was common on the Greek mainland and Italian colonies, while Ionic architecture was favored in Asia Minor and the Greek islands.
- The Corinthian order, with its bell-shaped tops adorned with leafy decorations, became prominent in later periods.
- Greek temples, characterized by rectangular plans and columns surrounding all sides, were carefully crafted with local stone and marble.
- The inner shrine (cella) housed the cult statue, with antechambers for storing offerings.
- Marble and limestone quarrying and transport were expensive, often being the main cost of temple construction.
- Architects oversaw every aspect of construction, from stone extraction to final placement, with skilled workers contributing to the intricate details of temple design and adornment.
Ancient Greece
Ancient Greece was a civilization that existed from the 12th–9th centuries BC to the end of classical antiquity. It was made up of a collection of city-states and other territories that were culturally and linguistically related. Ancient Greece is often referred to as “classical” because it represents a period of cultural and intellectual flourishing that laid the foundation for Western civilization. Alexander the Great was a Greek who was born in 356 BC and is known for conquering dozens of countries and creating an empire that extended as far as India.
In this article, we are going to discuss Ancient Greece with its glorious history and legacy in ancient times.
Contact Us