Greek Architecture Study Notes

Greek Architecture Overview

• Presenter: Ar. Igo Basa Depaz

• Key Themes:

  • Greek Orders

  • Classical Capitals

  • Architectural Styles

History of Architecture in Greece

• Architecture as a manifestation of thoughts from pre-history to the Byzantine period.

• The Complexity of Greece:

  • Not a unified nation, but composed of numerous city-states.

  • City-states were constantly vying for power and forming alliances (leagues).

• Major City-States:

  • Sparta, Olympia, Thebes, Corinth, Athens, Argos

Periodization of Greek History

Major Historical Periods

1. Minoan Age: 2000 BC - 1400 BC

2. Mycenaean Age: 1100 BC - 600 BC

3. The Dark Age: 600 BC - 750 BC

4. Archaic Period: 750 BC - 500 BC

5. Classical Period: 500 BC - 336 BC

6. Hellenistic Period: 336 BC - 146 BC

Minoan Civilization

Characteristics

• Minoan civilization located on the island of Crete.

• Named after King Minos, a legendary ruler.

• Sea-faring culture contributing to trade.

Religion and Culture

• Polytheistic beliefs, worshipping multiple gods, including:

  • Bulls, snakes, men, and women.

• Religious ceremonies included bull-leaping and fighting.

Art and Architecture

• Frescoes: Paintings applied to wet plaster or cement on wall surfaces.

• Friezes: Large horizontal paintings found on structure walls.

• Minoan palaces featured:

  • Advanced plumbing and drainage systems.

  • Multi-level structures with complex layouts and passageways.

  • Example: The Palace of King Minos at Knossos, featuring a central hall known as the Megaron.

• Important structures such as the Throne Room and inscriptions featuring Minotaurs related to the city's mythology.

Influence on Greek Culture

• Significantly shaped Greek social organization, thoughts, language, and economic activities.

Theories of Decline of Minoan Civilization

1. Catastrophic volcanic eruption or natural disaster.

2. Invasions by the Greek mainland.

Mycenaean Civilization

Overview

• Union of Minoans and Mycenae situated on mainland Greece, marking the emergence of the first advanced civilization in the region.

• Known for urban organization, palatial states, and early forms of writing, influencing architecture.

Culture and Religion

• Mixture of Minoan influences with local deities; two types of deities distinguished:

  • Nature gods and predecessors of later Olympian deities.

Artistic Influence

• Adaptation of Minoan artistic styles but more militaristic reflecting Mycenaean culture.

• Notable pottery designs featuring geometric patterns and motifs.

Architectural Innovations

• Significant advancements from Minoans, influenced further by trade with centers like Tiryns, Pylos, Thebes, Argos, and Athens.

• Innovations include:

  • Corbel arches, arches, wall systems, and post-lintel construction.

Mycenaean Walling Methods

1. Cyclopean Surface: Made with large stone blocks.

2. Polygonal Surface: Utilizes stones with polygonal faces.

3. Rectangular Surface: Stones cut into rectangular forms.

4. Inclined Blocks: Structure features like the corbel arch.

Mycenaean Architectural Types

• Four main types:

  1. Megaron: Principal building type.

  2. Tombs

  3. Gateways

  4. Dams

Megaron Design

• Enclosed porches with a central hearth.

• Served as the main domestic unit, believed to be the ancestor of Doric temples.

Important Structures

• Gates of Lions: Ancient stone sculpture composed of two lions; entrance to the citadel of Mycenae.

• Treasury of Atreus: Known as the Tomb of Agamemnon, featuring a long dromos (passageway) leading to a beehive-shaped vault.

Hellenic Period

Overview

• Time of Alexander the Great.

• Range of political and cultural changes marked by the emergence of democracy in Athens.

Contributions of Key Figures

• Alexander the Great (356-323 BCE): Expanded the Greek territories and influenced the architecture through conquests.

Athens and the Acropolis

Description

• Athens: The capital of Greece, known for its significant cultural and political advancements.

• Bounded by mountains and developed through various forms of government (democracy, tyranny, oligarchy).

Key Structures on the Acropolis

• Parthenon: Temple dedicated to Athena featuring Doric columns, representing the peak of classical architecture.

• Erechtheion: Temple built on the site of the competition between Athena and Poseidon for the city's name.

• Temple of Nike: Symbolizes victory, showcasing Ionic architectural features.

• Propylaea: Entrance to the Acropolis designed by Mnesicles, featuring Doric columns on the exterior and Ionic columns in the interior.

• Architectural Characteristics of Greek Structures:

  • Trabeated system, sculpture integration, specific proportioning.

Greek Temple Types and Arrangement

• Greek temples classified by column arrangements and numbers:

  • Distyle in antis, Prostyle tetrastyle, Peripteral octastyle, and other configurations.

Parts of Greek Temples

• Naos, Pronaos, Opisthodomos, Crepidoma, Pteroma, and Colonnade serve specific religious and structural functions.

Conclusion:

• Temples as dominant aspects of Greek architecture, showcasing classical orders (Doric, Ionic, Corinthian) and their variations, forming a foundation for future architectural developments in Western civilization.

Other Significant Structures in Ancient Greece

• Agora: Central public space for assemblies and markets.

• Stoa: Covered walkway or portico serving as commercial space.

• Bouleuterion: Assembly house for the council.

• Prytaneion: Seat for government officials and housed altars for Hestia.

• Odeon: Venue for musical and poetic performances.

Theatres in Ancient Greece

• Epidaurus: Best preserved ancient theatre known for exceptional acoustics and design, dedicated to Asclepius.

• Delphi Theatre: Built on a hill to enhance viewing pleasure.

Greek Sports and the Olympics

• Integral to Greek culture and the Olympic Games held in honor of Zeus, showcasing athletic talent and community engagement.

• Modern Olympics trace back to the ancient Greek traditions.