Greek Architecture Vocab

acroterion

sculpture in the round placed on a roof

pediment

the triangular top of a classical building; typically on top of an entablature and a portico

entasis

slight bulging or curve in the shaft of a column to correct the visual illusion of concavity

fluted shaft

shallow vertical grooves running along the long, narrow cylinder that comprises the majority of the column

order

a style represented by a characteristic design of the columns and entablature

volutes

spiral scroll-like ornament that forms the basis of the Ionic form, found in the capital of the Ionic column

stylobate

floor of a temple

entablature

lintel above the columns; contains the architrave and the frieze

frieze

broad horizontal band of decoration and/or sculpture on architecture

metopes

space between two triglyphs in a Doric frieze; often decorated with low relief carving

triglyph

part of a Doric entablature frieze; has three vertical grooves

amphiprostyle

having four columns both in the front and rear of a temple

contrapposto

graceful arrangement of the body based on tilted shoulders, hips, and bent knees

gigantomachy

battle between gods and giants in Greek mythology

isocephalism

the tradition of depicting heads of figures on the same level; implies a single ground line

lost-wax casing

metal is poured into a mold made out of wax

Panathenaic Way

a ceremonial road for a procession built to honor Athena during a festival

parapet

low protective wall or barrier

parthenos

virign

peristyle

colonnade around the perimeter of the building

stoa

covered walkway attached to a building; used as a framing device for the structure