Greek-Architecture-2

GREEK ARCHITECTURE INFLUENCES

Geographical Influences

  • Rugged Terrain: The rugged nature of the Greek peninsula and its islands hindered communication.

  • Location: Bounded by the Black Sea and the Mediterranean Sea, with Athens as the central kingdom.

  • Cultural Civilizations:

    • Minoan Culture: Flourished in Crete under King Minos, known for the Palace of Knossos.

    • Mycenaean Civilization: Centered in Mycenae, known for its fortress and trade.

  • Historical Significance: Minoans were the first major culture within the Aegean civilization.

Geological Influences

  • Rugged Mountains:

    • Mountains created communication barriers and separated populations into clans and city-states.

  • Seafaring Trade: The sea became essential for trade and communication among the islands.

  • Building Materials:

    • Marble: Chief material used in construction.

    • Pentelic Marble: Renowned for its quality, sourced from Mount Pentelikon in Attica.

Climatic Influences

  • Temperature Variability: Range from cold winters to warm summers affected lifestyle and architecture.

  • Atmospheric Conditions: Clear skies and intense light allowed for precise architectural designs.

  • Open-Air Activities: Judicial activities and public ceremonies commonly took place outdoors.

Religious Influences

  • Aegean Religion: Originated from nature worship, featuring sacred deities like Rhea and the bull.

  • Religious Practices: Conducted by priestesses, included sacrifices and open-air worship areas.

  • Greek Religion: Evolved from Aegean practices, characterizing gods as representations of nature.

    • Major Deities: Zeus (Jupiter), Hera (Juno), Poseidon (Neptune), Athena (Minerva), Dionysus (Bacchus), Demeter (Ceres), Artemis (Diana), Hermes (Mercury), Aphrodite (Venus), Hephaestus (Vulcan), Ares (Mars), Heracles (Hercules).

Social and Political Influences

  • Cultural Activities: Music, dancing, and wrestling were popular, often related to religious activities.

  • Forms of Government: Varied significantly, with democracy regarded as a major contribution; also included monarchy, oligarchy, and tyranny.

    • Democracy: Power was held by male citizens, allowing for wider participation in governance.

    • Prominent Leaders: Pericles exemplified Athenian leadership during its peak (444-429 BC).

Historical Influences

  • Aegean Civilization Contributions:

    • First major naval power in the Mediterranean, established through trade connections to regions like Asia Minor, Cyprus, Syria, and North Africa.

  • Civilization Periods:

    • Aegean Period: Early trade and culture (until 1100 BC).

    • Mycenaean Period: Continuation of Minoan influence (1400-1100 BC).

    • Hellenic Period: Rise of city-states and cultural unity through shared language and customs (800-323 BC).

    • Hellenistic Period: Expansion under the influence of philosophers and the arts (323-30 BC).

Architectural Character: Aegean

  • Description: Notable for its roughness and robustness.

  • Construction Techniques: Used rubble and rough stonework, with timber framing for upper structures.

  • Column Features: Made of stone, gypsum, and timber, with capitals having square abacus and bulbous echinus.

Aegean House Types

  • Island Houses:

    • Flat roofs, multi-story (2-4 floors), featuring light wells.

  • Mainland Houses:

    • Single-storey with deep plans, central hearths, and columned porches.

  • Types of Dwellings:

    • Megaron: Central hall with portico; typical of Mycenaean dwellings.

    • Prostas House: Open courtyard arrangement.

    • Pastas House: Deep columned veranda style.

    • Peristyle House: Open courtyard surrounded by columns.

Aegean Tombs and Palaces

  • Tombs: Rock-cut or chamber forms; notables include tholos tombs like the Treasury of Atreus.

  • Palaces:

    • Knossos: Famous for its labyrinthine structure.

    • Mycenae: Lion Gate and Cyclopean walls mark its importance.

Hellenistic Architectural Character

  • Description: Non-religious, civic-oriented; influential on Roman architecture.

  • Construction System: Columnar forms with larger roof spans achieved through arched openings.

  • Columns: Included Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian styles.

Hellenistic Decoration and Engineering

  • Optical Corrections: Utilized in temple designs to correct visual distortions (like entasis in columns).

  • Mouldings: The use of refined moulding for defining structures.

  • Temple Layouts: Known for their mathematical precision in column arrangements.

Hellenistic Structures Examples

  • Acropolis: Example of a fortified city on elevated terrain.

  • Temples: Notable examples include the Parthenon, with precise dimensions and aesthetic calculations for optical refinement.

Hellenistic Community Structures

  • Agora: Central meeting and marketplace in Greek cities.

  • Theater: Open-air amphitheaters designed for dramatic performances, characterized by a circular orchestra.

  • Stoa: Long porticos used for gatherings and public life.

  • Palaestra and Gymnasion: Facilities for sports and athletic training.