Greek Architecture

General Characteristics of Greek Architecture

• simplicity and harmony

• purity of line

• perfection of proportions

• refinement of details

Construction Style

• columnar

• trabeated

Marble

principal building material

materials

• wood - support and roof beams

• limestone/marble - columns, walls, upper portion of temples and public buildings

• unbaked brick - walls

• terracota - tiles and ornaments

• metals - decorative details

Urban non-urban setting

• no formally laid out cities

• geometrical, non-haphazard, small scale, balanced magnificence

• arrangement of temples and agora

The Acropolis Athens

• only part of larger precincts

• contains shrines, treasuries, and theatres linked by processional walkways

• completely symmetrical made out of stone and white marble

• other term “sacred rock'“

• supreme example of greek sanctuary

The Arcopolis

elevated stronghold or high city

Propylaea

• monumental entrance

• Architect: Mnesicles

The Parthenon

• epitome of Greek Architecture

• Doric Temple by Ictinus and Callicrates

• built for goddess Athena between 477-438 BC

• used to celebrate civic power and pride used to offer thanksgiving to a patron deity after success in war

• is always seen against the sky

• has some of the best classical art

• Sculptor: Phidias

Pinacothena

• building or gallery for painting located on both sides

  • Glypototheca = Sculptures

Erechtheion

• ionic temple named after king Erectheus

• has a Caryatid porch (female statues acting as columns)

• greek temples did not serve the function of modern churches

• served as storage places for the treasury associated with the cult of God

• Architect: Mnesciles

The Old Temple of Athena

evacuated to Salamis at the time of Persian Invasion

Theatre of Dionysus

prototype of aall greek theatres

The Odeon of Herodes Atticus

use for musical performances

Temenos or Sacred enclosure

the altar stood open under the sky in the temenos

Temples

principal structure of Greek Architecture

Cella

• inner room of the temple

• strong room and storeroom

• usually line with columns

Tholos

circular greek temple

Propylon/Porch

entrance to temple sanctuaries

Fountain House

where omen fill their vases with water from a public fountain

Stoa

long narrow hall with an open colonnwde on one side

Palaestra

• gymansium

• social center for male citizen

Bouleuterion

• council chamber

• served as a courthouse and as a meeting place for town council