ARCHITECTURE AND ARCHITECTURAL SCULPTURE ON THE ACROPOLIS

The Greek Orders

• Introduction

  • Ancient Greeks developed three primary architectural orders: Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.

  • Key differentiator: The capital of the column, but differences also exist in entablature, shaft, and base.

• Doric Order

  • Characteristics:

  • Oldest and simplest of the three orders.

  • Most frequently used by ancient Greek architects.

  • Capital features a square block (abacus) and a cushion-shaped echinus, typically cut from a single piece of stone.

  • No base beneath the Doric column.

  • Frieze Composition:

  • Alternating triglyphs (with three sections) and metopes (square or rectangular areas, possibly decorated).

• Ionic Order

  • Characteristics:

  • Distinguished by the scroll-like volute capital, which appears graceful and curling.

  • Originated in the Eastern territories, particularly popular in Asia Minor and the Greek islands.

  • Frieze Composition:

  • Continuous decorative frieze without interruptions.

• Corinthian Order

  • Characteristics:

  • Evolution from the Hellenistic age featuring large curling acanthus leaves that adorn the capital.

  • Most ornamental and delicate of the three architectural orders.

  • Least utilized by the Greeks but extensively used by later Roman architects.

The Parthenon

• Overview:

  • Built by Perikles with funds allocated for the defense of Athens.

  • The only Acropolis building fully completed, sacred to the city during the Peloponnesian War.

  • Dated between 448/447 and approximately 432 B.C.E.

  • Regarded as the pinnacle of ancient Greek architecture, representing the ultimate in Classical Doric temple design.

  • Dedicated to the goddess Athena.

  • Location: Positioned at the Acropolis's highest point; the largest building on the site and the most significant Doric structure in mainland Greece.

  • Architects:

  • IKTINOS [ik-TIE-nus] and KALLIKRATES [ka-LIK-kra-tees].

  • Sculptural Decoration:

  • Phidias, a noted sculptor, was responsible for its sculptural embellishments, including the gold and ivory cult image of Athena Parthenos, dedicated in 437 B.C.E.

• Architectural Proportions:

  • The Parthenon exemplifies perfection in proportions based on the Golden Section.

  • The ratio of width to height is 1.618, approximately achieving an 8:5 ratio.

  • Plato considered this ratio essential for understanding the cosmos.

  • Refinements in Design:

  • The Parthenon's beauty is attributed to architectural refinements, deviating from stark regularity to enhance aesthetic appeal.

  • Notably, no straight lines are found; both steps and entablature exhibit convex curves.

  • The rectangular prism blocks of marble are precisely cut but laid out to achieve a faceted appearance.

  • Each Doric column features entasis, a slight bulge, tapering towards the top; columns at corners are wider and placed closer together than those in the main structure.

Parthenon Sculpture

• Categories of Sculpture:

  • Metope: 92 squarish panels on the entablature, carved in high relief, primarily depicting mythological battles (Lapiths vs. centaurs).

  • Frieze: Located on the upper wall of the cella, executed in low relief.

  • Pedimental Figures: Large sculptures dimensioned to fit the east and west pediments, carved in the round.

  • West Pediment: Illustrates the competition between Athena and Poseidon for the land of Attica.

  • East Pediment: Represents the birth of Athena from Zeus's head.

  • While figures suffered damage over time, they maintain significant historical value.

Notable Buildings on the Acropolis, Athens