Greek Architecture Essay

Many Greek Temples shared very common floor plans, a central cella housing a shrine to the corresponding god the temple is for. As well as periptural columns, that wrapped around the exterior of the building. Greek floor plans were inspired by the megaron plan, which led to symmetry being a key element in the construction of temples as well. Greeks also were known for using limestone and marble for temples. But during the end of the Archaic period in Ancient Greece

Ancient Greek architecture dates from around 800 BCE when the site of Delphi first obtained a religious significance. The architecture of Ancient Greece has influenced the architecture of the past two millennia most significantly that of Ancient Rome (Hemingway, 2003). Greek architecture influenced Roman architecture in extensive ways, giving that the Romans adopted and incorporated many Greek methods and elements into their own practice. Although the Romans were inspired by the Greek there are still many differences in their architecture most noticeably through materiality. Although the Greeks constructed many types of buildings the most recognisable “Greek” structure is the temple. (Becker, 2015) As stated by Coleen Hemingway in an article for the Metropolitan Museum of Art “ the Greek temple best exemplifies the aims and methods of Greek Architecture”. Whilst exploring such architecture it is necessary to examine the mentality, religious beliefs and driving forces of each civilization. According to Stierlin “Unlike the Greek temple, essentially a structure for the play of light and shade, with little interior space accommodating a small sanctuary, Roman builders typically used arches, vaults, matching domes

Questions about Image Set 1: Acropolis, Athens 101. The gateway to this site, visible in the foreground at the lower right, is called the: a. Erechtheion b. Parthenon c. Temple of Hera d. Stoa of Attalus e. Propylaia 102. The main temple shown at the upper right is dedicated to: a. Athena b. Erectheus c. Portunus d. Aphrodite 103. The primary function of the main temple shown at the upper right is: a. an interior gathering space for worshippers b. a venue for religious games c. a house for the statue of a god or goddess d. a fortification high on a hill 104. The site shown in plan and reconstruction is known as the: a. Great

The artwork I chose for the Classical Greece period is the Erechtheion, an architectural building interestingly using six maidens as support columns. Through studies of the architectural history of this piece, Michael Lahanas suggests that the temple was constructed as “a complex design that supposed to represent the legendary contest between Poseidon and Athena for guardianship of the city of Athens” (Lahanas). The relationship between the art and the culture of the related civilization depicts through its purpose as a temple. Some articles suggest that the temple was a place where worship occurred for both Poseidon and Athena; the structure

It is very clear that ancient buildings can be a part of the evidence to show what happed in the history. As a part of ancient culture, architectural languages have the significant vale in both culture and construction. The temple of Hera, which becomes the sign of Greek classic architecture even the whole Europe, plays an important role in the Greece history and culture . This essay will start an analysis from the structure and component of the temple of hera to present that how can cultural factors affect the form and functions of a building.

As the saying goes, great art is mad with its own loveliness. Over the decades, Greek-inspired architecture has been seen all over the world. Ideas are often borrowed while constructing buildings, monuments, and even houses. Greeks mostly used wood, limestone, unbaked bricks, terracotta and metal for construction. Most architecture were inspired by religion, politics, and form of recreation. Of all designs from Greek architecture three of them have withstood the test of time and their application can be seen today. They include Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian order. However, each order is distinct from the other and one cannot differentiate unless trained. This paper will look at Doric and Corinthian orders while comparing and contrasting them. It will also trace their prevalence and popularity throughout history.

There are a number of art and architectural features found in the Athenian Agora, Kerimeikos and the Acropolis. The Agora or market place has a number of buildings such as the Tholos, The Eponymous Heroes and the Strategion. The Kerimeikos or Ceramicus was the potters ' quarter of the city, from which the word "ceramic" is derived, and was also the site of an important cemetery and numerous funerary sculptures erected around the area. The Acropolis had many major buildings, the most prominent of them being the Parthenon and the Temple of Athena Nike. An evaluation of primary and secondary literary sources gives insight into the main purposes of the buildings and the art within such as pottery and sculptures found within the context of these sites. To an extent the art and architecture in these sites reflect the significant cultural practices and beliefs of the ancient Athenians as it gives insight into what they truly valued.

As the Hellenistic society shifted away from the Classical ideals of perfectionism and idolization of the elites and gods in sculpture, artists began to be fixated on illustrating imperfection of a variety of individuals faced with ruthless authenticity of their emotional struggles. Whereas, Classical architecture focused on dedicating massive structures to the gods to emphasize their divinity, but Hellenistic architecture used advanced technology to exemplify Alexander the Great’s magnificence. Thus, differences in architecture can be seen in the sophisticated town of Alexandria with structures such as the lighthouse that show how Alexander the Great influenced town planning that was centralized on the creation of a superior city, likewise, The Altar at Pergamon expresses the loss of focus on the divine through unique sculptural techniques. Change can also be seen in the sculptures of The Boxer and The Old Market Woman as they are depicted to be imperfectly individualistic and in emotional distress.

Theaters were built that could seat nearly 30,000 people at the larger venues. These theaters were built into the hillsides and featured an orchestra, a skene, and an altar. The orchestra was the circular space where the play was performed , the skene acted as a dressing room, and the altar was dedicated to the god Dionysus. The theaters that were built are impressive for the time period, but the crowing achievement of the Greek Golden Age as far as architecture is concerned has to be the Pantheon. The Pantheon was built as a dedication to the goddess Athena, and it represents the apex of post-and-lintel building method. It was constructed using the Doric order which was simple and severe, yet in the Pantheon the clarity of this order of architecture is seen at a masterly crafted

Generally, the ancient Greek art is known to be significant in influencing its culture and even that of other countries. The influence of this ancient art is very common in architecture and sculpture areas. For example, in the Roman Empire, their art was shaped by the Greek models. Considering any architecture or sculpture in the ancient Greek Art, one can clearly understand the culture of the Greek in certain periods. To this end, this research paper considers the architecture of the Minoan Crete, period.

The temples in ancient Greece were the biggest and most beautiful structures. At the temples they would give thanks to the Gods. Greek architecture represents order and harmony. The Greek Gods and Goddesses also represented order and harmony. For example, the Greek Goddess of wisdom, Athena, had a temple built in her honor. This temple is known as the Parthenon. The Greeks built the temple to replace the old one that was destroyed by the Persians. The new temple was built to thank Athena for the cities success. In these temples the Greeks would build huge sculptures of the God or Goddess in their human form. The sculptures would also depict important stories of the Gods or Goddess. The Greeks also started writing poems about the Gods and Goddesses. This is another way the Greeks shared the stories of the Gods. The Ancient Greeks also made pottery. On the pottery they painted murals of scenes. These scenes depict life in Greece; they also show scenes of the Gods and Goddesses. The pottery is the best way historians have to look into the Ancient Greece

At the beginning, the human face of the world, they fully believe in God, Devil and the spirit around, ignorant of scientific material. People compromise with their environment through the establishment of Almighty God. All aspects of daily life are many theologians or supernatural explanation: year, season, day and night. Such as the harvest is considered good deeds fertility god. Thus, the establishment of order in the city and the city and her most important buildings (palace or temple), often performed by a priest or ruler itself, along with the corresponding building ceremony intended to be added to human activities continue to God's blessing. The performance of the old building tension between heaven and the underworld. Beyond the container outside the city marked the sacred space of natural wilderness, and temple or palace as the house of God continues to this rule. Architect, priest or ruler, is not only important planners; he merely as a holding part of the tradition.

The designer, because of the knowledge gathered, will recognize an issue that will have to be addressed when incorporating the attributes of these ruins. The designer will have to advise the client that each ruin belongs to a different order. The Parthenon is a representation of the Doric order, the Erechtheum the Ionic order, and the Temple of Olympian Zeus the Corinthian order. The designer and client will have to work through the problem and determine if aspects of each order from each ruin should be incorporated into the project. This could create the additional issue of whether the client wants this project to stay historically accurate since incorporating multiple orders could hamper the design. An additional option is for the client and designer to focus solely on one ruin keeping the new design a historically accurate reinterpretation. These are all issues and questions that the designer and client will have to address in order to successfully complete the new

One of the many types of Greek building structures was Sacred Architecture. The Greeks conceived of their gods in human form, as anthropomorphic

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