Greek

Architecture
History Of Architecture
 Timeline
2 • 11,600 BCE to 3,500 BCE — Prehistoric Times
• 3,050 BCE to 900 BCE — Ancient Egypt
• 3300 BCE to 1300 BCE – Indus Valley Civilisation
• 700 to 323 BCE — Greek
• 323 to 146 BCE — Hellenistic
• 44 BCE to 476 CE — Roman
• 527 to 565 — Byzantine
• 800 to 1200 — Romanesque
• 1100 to 1450 — Gothic
• 1400 to 1600 — Renaissance
• 1600 to 1830 — Baroque
• 1650 to 1790 — Rococo
• 1730 to 1925 — Neoclassicism
• 1890 to 1914 — Art Nouveau
• 1895 to 1925 — Beaux Arts
• 1905 to 1930 — Neo-Gothic
• 1925 to 1937 — Art Deco
• 1900 to Present — Modernist Styles
• 1972 to Present — Postmodernism
• 1997 to Present — Neo-Modernism and Parametricism
3 Timeline(STAGES OF CIVILIZATION)

 GREEK DARK AGES(1100-750 BC)

 ARCHAIC PERIOD(750-500 BC )

 CLASSICAL PERIOD(500-323 BC)

 HELLENISTIC PERIOD(323-147 BC )
4 Introduction
 Greek architecture, spanning the
Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic
periods, is a pinnacle of Western
architectural history.
 The Archaic period (750-500 BCE) saw
the evolution from simple mud-brick
structures to more durable materials,
introducing the Doric and Ionic orders in
iconic temples like the Temple of Hera.
 The Classical period (500-323 BCE)
reached its zenith with masterpieces like
the Parthenon, showcasing
mathematical precision and aesthetic
balance. Architects like Iktinos and
Kallikrates defined this era.
 The Hellenistic period (323-31 BCE)
allowed for greater creativity,
introducing the Corinthian order and
monuments like the Temple of Olympian
Zeus.
Geology & Climate
 Typical of the Mediterranean climate: mild
and rainy winters, relatively warm and dry
summers and, generally, extended periods of
sunshine throughout most of the year.

 Their mainland and islands are rocky,

mountainous with few substantial forests.
Almost completely surrounded by the
Mediterranean Sea. Greece has more than
1400 islands.

 The most freely available building material is

stone. Limestone was readily available and
easily worked. There is an abundance of high
quality white marble both on the mainland
and islands, particularly Paros and Naxos.
Topics to be covered…
6

Archaeological
Building
Discoveries
Materials

Architectural Important
Characteristics Buildings
Architectural
oak

Characteristics
 Architectural Orders:
• Doric Order: Characterized by sturdy, fluted
columns with a simple, capital-less design.
The columns rest directly on the stylobate,
the uppermost step of the temple platform.
• Ionic Order: Features slender, fluted columns
with volutes (scroll-like ornaments) on the
capital. The entablature typically includes a
frieze with continuous relief sculpture.
• Corinthian Order: Distinguished by a more
elaborate capital adorned with acanthus
leaves. It is often considered the most ornate
of the three orders.
Architectural
Characteristics
▪ Frieze: The frieze is a horizontal band, often decorated
with relief sculptures or ornamentation, located
between the architrave and the cornice on the
entablature. In Greek architecture, the frieze is a
significant area for artistic expression, depicting various
scenes, symbols, or patterns. The frieze may be
continuous, running along the entire length of the
entablature, or divided into metopes (panel-like spaces)
in the Doric order. It provides an additional layer of
visual interest and narrative storytelling to the overall
design of the structure.
▪ Capital: The capital is the topmost part of a column that
provides a transition from the shaft to the horizontal
elements (entablature) above. In Greek architecture,
there are different types of capitals, such as the plain
capital of the Doric order, the voluted capital of the
Ionic order, and the more elaborate acanthus leaf-
adorned capital of the Corinthian order.
Architectural
Characteristics
1. Base:
1. The base is the bottom part of a column, serving as a
support between the column and the stylobate (the
uppermost step of the temple platform). Not all Greek
columns have bases; the Doric order, for example,
typically lacks a distinct base.
2. Shaft:
1. The shaft is the elongated, vertical portion of a
column between the base and the capital. It is a key
structural element providing vertical support to the
entablature.
3. Architrave:
1. The architrave is the lowermost horizontal part of the
entablature, directly supported by the columns. It
serves as the main beam that spans the space
between columns. In classical Greek architecture, the
architrave is usually plain but can include decorative
friezes.
Architectural
Characteristics
1. Cornice:
1. The cornice is the uppermost horizontal part of the
entablature, projecting beyond the face of the building. It
often features a decorative molding and serves as a crowning
element, providing a visual finish to the structure.
2. Pediment:
1. The pediment is the triangular space at the gable end of a
temple, formed by the sloping ends of the roof. The pediment
is often filled with sculptural decorations or reliefs depicting
mythological or religious scenes, serving both a decorative
and narrative purpose.
3. Stylobate:
1. The stylobate is the uppermost step of the temple platform on
which the columns stand. It provides a level surface for the
columns and contributes to the overall visual harmony and
symmetry of the structure.
4. Peristyle:
1. A peristyle is a continuous colonnade or row of columns
surrounding a building or enclosing a courtyard. In Greek
architecture, the peristyle is a common feature in temples and
other structures, contributing to the overall aesthetic and
providing a sense of enclosure
Building Materials
1. Limestone:
1. Particularly prevalent in the early stages of Greek architecture,
limestone was a widely used building material. It was readily
available and relatively easy to carve, making it suitable for
constructing structures like the early Doric temples.
2. Marble:
1. As Greek architecture progressed, especially during the Classical
period, the use of marble became more widespread. Marble
quarries in regions like Mount Pentelicus near Athens provided a
high-quality, durable material. The Parthenon, one of the most
iconic Greek structures, is a notable example constructed
primarily with Pentelic marble.
3. Terracotta:
1. Terracotta, a type of baked clay, was employed for architectural
ornaments, decorative elements, and roof tiles. It was often
used for the creation of decorative friezes, sculptures, and
architectural details.
4. Wood:
1. In the early Archaic period, wooden columns and beams were
common, but many of these structures have not survived due to
the perishable nature of wood. Over time, stone and marble
gradually replaced wood for more permanent and robust
construction.
Building Materials
1. Bronze:
1. Bronze was used for various architectural elements,
including decorative elements, statues, and fixtures.
Architectural details, such as doorknockers and handles,
were often crafted from bronze.
2. Clay Bricks:
1. While not as extensively used as in later architectural
traditions, clay bricks were occasionally used in some
Greek structures. They were more commonly employed
for walls in private dwellings rather than monumental
public buildings.
3. Gypsum and Plaster:
1. Gypsum and plaster were used for decorative purposes,
including the creation of intricate moldings and reliefs.
These materials allowed for detailed ornamentation on
architectural surfaces.
4. Iron:
1. Iron was used for various structural and functional
elements, such as reinforcing elements in construction
and tools for cutting and shaping stone.
14

Important Structures
ACROPOLIS 450-330 B.C.
 1.Parthenon
 2.Old Temple of Athena
 3.Erechtheum
 4.Statue of Athena Promachos
 5.Propylaea
 6.Temple of Athena Nike
 7.Eleusinion
 8.Sanctuary of Artemis Brauronia or Brauroneion
 9.Chalkotheke
 10.Pandroseion
 11.Arrephorion
 Altar of Athena
1.
Parthenon
Doric Order:

1. The Parthenon is constructed in the Doric order, characterized by simple, sturdy

columns with no bases and a capital featuring a plain echinus and an
undecorated frieze.

2. Column Configuration:

1. The temple has eight columns on the façade and seventeen on each side,
creating a sense of proportion and balance. The columns are slightly tapered
and inclined to counteract optical illusions.

3. Entasis:

1. The columns exhibit a subtle swelling known as entasis, a deliberate curvature

designed to counteract the optical illusion of concavity, ensuring visual
straightness.

4. Curved Stylobate:

1. The temple is built on a slightly curved stylobate, a platform that appears level
to the eye but subtly deviates from flatness. This curvature enhances the optical
illusions and visual harmony.

5. Golden Ratio:

1. The Parthenon's dimensions adhere to the Golden Ratio, a mathematical

proportion believed to create aesthetically pleasing designs. This ratio is evident
in the relationships between the length, width, and height of the temple.
Parthenon
1. Pediments:
1. The triangular pediments at each end of the temple
feature sculptural compositions depicting mythological
narratives. The East Pediment represents the birth of
Athena, while the West Pediment depicts the contest
between Athena and Poseidon for the city of Athens.
2. Metopes and Frieze:
1. The frieze running along the top of the temple's exterior
walls features a continuous band of relief sculptures,
showcasing a procession and various rituals. The
metopes depict scenes from Greek mythology, such as
the battle between the Lapiths and Centaurs.
3. Optical Corrections:
1. Numerous architectural features, including slight
curves, variations in column spacing, and adjustments
in dimensions, were employed to correct optical
distortions and create an illusion of perfection.
TEMPLE OF HERA II (Temple of Poseidon)
470-460 B.C.
Classical greek , doric
Paestum ,Italy
TEMPLE OF ATHENA NIKE