Greek Architecture

Doric

an order of ancient Greek architecture that features grooved columns with no grooved bases and an upper story with square sculpture called metopes

Ionic

an order of Greek architecture that features columns with scrolled capitals and an upper story with sculptures that are in friezes

Corinthian

an order of ancient Greek architecture similar to the Ionic, except that the capitals are carved in tiers of leaves

Cella/naos

the chamber at the center of an ancient temple; in a classical temple, the room in which the cult statue usually stood

Pronaos

The space, or porch, in front of the cella, or naos, of an ancient Greek temple

colonnade/peristyle

a row of columns supporting a roof

Peripteral

a single row of columns on all sides

Dipteral

a double row of columns on all sides

Stylobate

The uppermost course of the platform of a Greek temple, which supports the columns.

Stereobate

The stepped base on which a temple stands

Base

Base of a column found in the Ionic/Corinthian order

Column

A supporting pillar consisting of a cylindrical shaft and a capital, sometimes a base

Capital

the top element of a column

Fluting

a series of shallow concave grooves, vertical on the shaft of a column

Drum

one of the stacked cylindrical stones that form the shaft of a column

Entasis

a slight convex curve in the shaft of a column, introduced to correct the visual illusion of concavity produced by a straight shaft.

Triglyph

a projecting grooved element alternating with a metope, Doric

Metope

panel between the triglyphs in a Doric frieze, often sculpted in relief

Frieze

a broad horizontal band of sculpted decoration in the middle of the entablature

Volute

a spiral scroll characteristic of Ionic capitals

Entablature

a horizontal, continuous lintel on a classical building supported by columns, comprising the architrave, frieze, and cornice.

Architrave

a main beam resting across the tops of columns, specifically the lower third entablature.

Pediment

the triangular top of a temple that contains sculpture

Opisthodomos

in ancient Greek architecture, a porch or room at the rear of a temple, behind the cella

Chryselephantine

made of gold and ivory