Study Notes on Greek Architecture

GREEK ARCHITECTURE NOTES.

Instructor: Ar. Ma. Patricia Camille S. Tolentino, UAP

GEOGRAPHICAL CONTEXT

  • Rugged Nature:
      - The Greek peninsula is characterized by its rugged terrain and numerous islands.

  • Geographical Borders:
      - The region is bounded by the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea.

  • Athens as Central Kingdom:
      - Athens serves as the center of ancient Greece, containing the Acropolis, or Upper City.

  • City-States:
      - Greece is composed of various city-states, known as "Polis."

HISTORICAL ANALYSIS OF ANCIENT GREECE

ACROPOLIS OF ATHENS

  • Central historical site and symbol of ancient Greek civilization.

CITADEL

  • Definition: A fortress typically situated on high ground that protects or dominates a city.

AEGEAN PERIOD (MINOAN) (1900 - 1100 BC)

  • Civilizations:
      - Civilization flourished on Crete and the Greek mainland.

  • Economic Background:
      - Established as the first significant commercial and naval power in the Mediterranean due to extensive trade networks.
      - Trade connected Greece with regions such as Asia Minor, Cyprus, Syria, Palestine, Egypt, Libya, and even South Italy and Sicily.
      - Created a unity of culture and economic stability.

  • Knossos:
      - Largest city during this period, characterized by a grand palace.
      - Megaron: The principal building type during this era.

AEGEAN ARCHITECTURE

MEGARON

  • Description:
      - Defined as a semi-independent building unit, typically rectangular.
      - Consists of a principal chamber featuring a central hearth and an enclosed porch.
      - Believed to be the ancestor of the Doric temple.
      - Components:
        - Enclosed porch
        - Living area / court area
        - Thalamus / sleeping room

METHODS OF WALL CONSTRUCTION

  1. Cyclopean:
       - Constructed using huge stone blocks laid without mortar.

  2. Polygonal:
       - Masonry made with stones that have polygonal faces.

  3. Rectangular:
       - Made from stones cut into rectangular shapes.

  4. Inclined Blocks with Corbel Arch:
       - A construction method involving false corbeling where courses from each side of an opening meet at a midpoint.

Example of Aegean Architecture

  • Gate of Lions - Known as the most ancient stone sculpture in Europe.

MYCENAEAN CIVILIZATION (1550 - 1100 BCE)

  • Confluence:
      - A union of Minoans and Mycenaeans.

  • Cultural Continuity:
      - Represented a continuation of Cretan designs and craftsmanship on the mainland.

  • Economic Significance:
      - Wealth derived from control over metal trading routes connecting Europe and the Middle East.

CLASSICAL OR HELLENIC PERIOD (800 - 323 BCE)

  • City-States Emergence:
      - Development of city-states on plains between mountains; most notable are Sparta and Athens.
      - Characterized by individual rulers, governments, and laws within each polis.

  • Cultural Unity:
      - Federal unity amongst the city-states based on shared language, customs, and religion.

  • Building Expansion Under Pericles (444 BC - 429 BC):
      - Marked a peak period of Athenian prosperity, extensive construction of buildings, and advancements in arts, law-making, philosophy, and science.

  • Philosophers of Noteworthiness:
      - Notable figures include Socrates, Plato, and Aristotle.

MYCENEAN TOMB STRUCTURES

  • Tholos / Tholoi:
      - Defined as a stone vault shaped like a beehive.
      - Dromos: A long deep passageway into the ancient subterranean tomb.
      - Shaft Grave:
      - Consists of a deep rectangular cut into sloping rock with a roof stone cover.

HELLENIC PERIOD ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES

  1. Rectangular Plan.

  2. Gateways:
       - Known as "Propylaea."

  3. Collonade.

  4. Timber Panel/Coffered Ceilings:
       - Referred to as "Lacunaria."

  5. Walls Made of Stone/Marble.

  6. Marble Sculptures.

  7. Murals and Fresco Paintings Developed.

CLASSICAL TEMPLES

  • General Structure:
      - Primarily designed to house statues of gods and goddesses, part of larger sanctuaries where rituals occurred.
      - Not used for public gatherings; those typically took place outdoors.
      - The earliest forms resembled the megaron in both plan and construction.

PARTS OF A GREEK TEMPLE

  • Pronaos:
       - An open vestibule or porch before the cella (inner chamber).

  • Cella/Naos:
       - The primary enclosed area of the temple where cult images were housed.

  • Altar:
       - Elevated platform for sacrifices or incense burning during rituals.

  • Adyton:
       - The innermost sanctuary or shrine, generally at the far end of the cella.

  • Epinaos or Opisthodomos:
       - The rear vestibule of the temple.

TEMPLE TYPES BY NUMBER OF COLUMNS IN FRONT

  • HEMOSTYLE - 1 column

  • DISTYLE - 2 columns

  • TRISTYLE - 3 columns

  • TETRASTYLE - 4 columns

  • PENTASTYLE - 5 columns

  • HEXASTYLE - 6 columns

  • HEPTASTYLE - 7 columns

  • OCTASTYLE - 8 columns

  • ENNEASTYLE - 9 columns

  • DECASTYLE - 10 columns

  • DODECASTYLE - 12 columns

TEMPLE TYPES BY SPACING BETWEEN COLUMNS

  • PYKNOSTYLE - 1.50 column base diameters

  • SYSTYLE - 2.00 column base diameters

  • EUSTYLE - 2.25 column base diameters

  • DIASTYLE - 3.00 column base diameters

  • ARAEOSTYLE - 3.50 or greater than 3.00 column base diameters.

COLUMNATION RULE FOR PERIPTERAL TEMPLES

  • The number of columns in front denoted as (N):
      - Columns on the sides are defined by the formula:
      - (2N + 1)

EXAMPLES OF CLASSICAL TEMPLES

DORIC STYLE

  • Directly rests on the crepidoma (stepped platform).

  • No base; original column height is
      4 to 6 times the diameter at the base.

  • The column shaft features 20 shallow flutes separated by arrises.

  • Entablature Components:
      - Architrave
      - Frieze: Featuring triglyphs and metopes.
      - Geison or cornice.

TEMPLE EXAMPLES

  • Temple of Hera

  • Parthenon (Temple of Athena)
      - Chief architects: Ictinus and Callicrates.
      - Chief sculptor: Phidias.

  • Temple of Zeus Olympus, Aegae, Agrigentum:
      - Second grandest temple built with Telamones featuring male figures supporting structures.

HELLENISTIC PERIOD

GENERAL CHARACTERISTICS

  • Temenos:
      - Sacred area surrounding a temple.

  • Propylea:
      - Sacred gateway leading into temple grounds.

  • Theatron or Koilon:
      - Greek theater with an orchestral space, seating area (cavea), and stage backdrop (skene).

NOTABLE HELLENISTIC STRUCTURES

  • Odeon:
      - Designed for music performance.

  • Agora:
      - Civic open space serving as a marketplace.

  • Stoa:
      - Covered walkways, often lined with columns, providing shelter and community space.

  • Hippodrome:
      - Ancient Greek stadium design used for horse and chariot racing.

  • Gymnasion:
      - Sports training facility.

  • Palaestra:
      - Dedicated space for wrestling training.

OTHER GREEK STRUCTURES

AGORA

  • Definition:
      - A central public space in Greek city-states; literal translation being "gathering place" or "assembly."

  • Marketplace:
      - Central market area vital for social and political organization of the polis.

GREEK THEATER: KOILON

  • An open-air theater carved out of hillside slopes with tiered seating.

  • The structure included circular orchestral areas backed by a building called the stene for actor use.

  • Integral to festivals honoring Dionysus, such as the Dionysia.

REFERENCES

  • A History of Architecture, Sir Bannister Fletcher

  • Visual Dictionary of Architecture, Francis D.K Ching

  • A Global History of Architecture, Francis D.K Ching

  • Greek Architecture Presentation, Ar. Aurora Panopio