Comparing Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman Architecture Essay

The palace of Versailles contains architecture from the Greek, Roman, and Gothic eras. The Greeks used Doric, Ionic, Corinthian order columns in their architecture (Fiero 59). One example of Doric columns can be found in the columns that helped support the weight of

Two of the greatest civilizations of the ancient world were the civilizations of Greece and Rome. These two civilizations were especially significant from the time periods prior to the Roman Republic. These two civilizations both affected Europe and the Mediterranean regions including the rest of the world around them. Though the two civilizations differed in location, they also had many aspects that were very similar. One of these includes the government, with both showing the beginnings of the representative government. Another aspect between these civilizations was the military with similar strategies, tactics, and organizational similarities.

Architecture was very important then, and even now. For example,Greek architects used columns for their buildings (Doc. 1). There are three different types of columns, Doric columns have a plain top, Ionic columns have scrolls, and Corinthian columns have carved stone leaves (Doc. 1).

Thesis: The Greek influence of outstanding culture, gods, and their beautiful art to the Romans’ they took this inspiration on to their own creation. Both ancient build devotion to their gods they would bring the most precious things to them temples, however, they would focus on making large empire to rule and to take control of their city-states.

Columns have been used since the classical period and are still used today in many old and new buildings. Two buildings that use these columns are The Jefferson Memorial and the Supreme Court( Doc 1.). There are three different types of columns. The Doric, the Ionic, and the Corinthian. Ancient Greeks also invented other devices that have an impact on our world today. Some of these are roads, calendars, and architecture. All of these examples are things that are useful in our everyday life.

Greek and Roman architecture is truly amazing. They each had great ideas, and fabulous productions. It is said that the Pantheon is to Italy what the Parthenon is to Greece. Both are tremendous monuments that reek of culture and history. Each had a purpose which was displayed by the design and construction of each. There are such great meanings behind each of these architecural structures. The Romans and the Greeks alike worshipped and dedicated their structures and designs to the Gods and Goddess they believed in.

(TCO 3) Which of the following is NOT considered to be a Greek order of architecture?

Both the Greeks and the Romans made a number of contributions to western culture in the field of architecture, many of which can still be seen to this very day. Architecture played a pivotal role in both the religion and daily life of ancient Greek society. The Greeks produced some of the world’s most enduring architectural monuments, many of which are still standing today. These include the Parthenon, the Temple of Zeus, and the Temple of Poseidon. Perhaps one of the largest contributions of the ancient Greeks to western civilization in regards to architecture was their development of the three fundamental architectural systems of design, the Doric, Iconic, and Corinthian orders. The following excerpt from an article

The ancient Romans created and borrowed fundamental types of concepts that made up buildings. The ideas that the Romans borrowed were basic ideas such as the column. A column is a vertical shaped pillar with the chief design concern of supporting a building. Most columns consist of three parts, the base, the shaft, and the capital. The shaft is usually cylindrical in shape. The Greeks had three basic types of columns, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. All three types have narrow fillets on them. These were small vertical slits that ran the length of the column. The Romans modified the column and added two types, Truscan and Composile. The columns became widely used in homes and temples in Greece and later in Rome ("Architecture").

Ancient Greece had many contributions that were important, but Art and Architecture is the area the Greeks made the biggest contribution. The first reason that art and architecture is the biggest contribution is that there were different kinds of pillars in Ancient Greece that are here today. There were three types of pillars Ionic, Doric, and Corinthian All these pillars were used in Ancient Greece. Doric pillars were the most simple pillars they were the least decorated pillars of the three. The Ionic pillars were more detailed and decorated than the Doric pillars. Ionic pillars were also more thin and tall. The top of the pillars there was decorated and looked like scrolls or curls. Unlike the Ionic and Doric pillars, Corinthian pillars were Super decorative. These pillars looked a lot like Ionic pillars, but they were more decorative at the top. Corinthian pillars have floral patterns a the

The temple stands on the remains of the Mycenaean fortification of cyclopean masonry. (Nike Temple) Which is made from pentelic marble is about 23 feet high, 27 feet long and 18 feet wide. The marble was not solid and strong but beautiful and elegant just like the goddess. The columns were 13 feet high and; the temple has four monolithic columns at the east and the west fronts. (The Temple of Athena Nike) On the side of the bastion around the temple of Athena Nike were protected by pentelic marble. (The Temple of Athena Nike) It constisted of 41.71 meters in length and slabs with beautiful, and detailed decoration on the exterior fieze. There are staircase leading form the propylaea to the sanctuary up to the colums. (The Temple of Athena Nike) The slabs are not part of a continuous narrative but each one is an independent scene. (The Temple of Athena Nike) The Frieze goes along all four sides of the temple and there are 14 different sections. (The Temple of Athena Nike) The East side of the frieze show the Olympian gods and the other three sides show battles scenes from different battles. Each battle lead them to a victory. The North frieze depicted a battle between Greeks entailing cavalry. (Sacred

In around 428-65 BC, Greece and Rome were both creating new cultural ideals, ways of using government, and built allies to help benefit the country. Both Empires created similar cultures including cities,technology, complex institutions, record keeping and specialized works. Eventually when they began to expand into a vast empires, they had to come up with ways of organizing and obtaining enough resources for their people. This lead to complex trading tactics, forms of government, and social structure. Even though Rome and Greece were both critical to the creation of the United States, Rome was more influential due to the way it trades with other countries, glorified people of certain social positions, and structured its government.

The Temple of Athena Nike exemplifies the early Greek belief that the gods, specifically Athena, held divine providence over government and victory in war. It was built as part of the same project as the Parthenon, one of the greatest achievements of Mycenaean Greece. Lasting from 1300-1000 B.C.E, Mycenaean Greece bordered Epirus, Macedonia, Phrace, Phryapa, Mysia, Caria, and Lydia. Encompassing this time span, Ancient Greece lasted from 8000 to 50 B.C.E. The achievements of Athens in this time include the Pythagorean Theorem and the Socratic dialogues. The epic Trojan War was said to have occurred in Mycenaean times as well. So were the Ionic Greeks who built this ancient temple. (Ancient-Greece.org)(about ancient history.com)

The Protogeometric and Geometric periods are good examples of such advanced thinking. The beginnings of the Protogeometric period display a distinct interest in mathematical order. During this period, artists decorated vases with circles and symmetrical patterns. As the dominant style changed from Protogeometric to Geometric, this order and precision was amplified. The popular ?circle and semicircle patterns were replaced by linear designs, zigzags, triangles, diamonds, and meanders? (Cunningham, 40). The increased interest in order seems to have been a reflection of the Greek fascination with nature, and man?s relationship to nature.

The Corinthian style was not used nearly as much as the Doric or Ionic styles by the classical Greeks. Its capital is extremely elaborate and decorated with acanthus leaves. Corinthian is by far the most ornate of all the Greek orders, and was also the latest to develop. It did not arrive on the scene in full roar until the middle of the 4th century BC. The oldest known example of the Corinthian style is the temple of Apollo at Bassae (c. 420 BC). However, the best known example of this style is the temple of Zeus at Athens.