Research Paper On Greek Architecture

The way the temple was designed gives the impression of a“subtle organic character to an obvious geometric structure.” With how the columns taper off, it looks as if the column could not take the weight of the roof. The ratio of the structure is 9:4. Approximately 13400 stones were used to make the temple.

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

The Greek Civilization was one of the greatest ancient civilizations to spring up. Though it faced many trials and tribulations, the ancient Greeks were a center of trade, economic development, and technological advancements. The success of the Greeks to construct such a flourishing culture was largely due to the area in which their civilization was located.

The Rome’s Pantheon and Greek’s Parthenon are both significant and innovative structures that have influenced the architecture around the world. This essay will describe the style and function of each building as well as the similarities and differences between ancient Greece and Rome in four characters including history, design, usage, and similarity.

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.

and other cities around the Western World. Like the Greek art, it is characterized by its use of symmetry. They strived for perfect geometric proportions with an emphasis on visual perfection. The technics used to build were slow and costly, using no mortar, large segments of marble were individually fastened using bronze clamps and dowels. The most notable feature of Greek architecture is their use of columns.

The next sculpture is in the Pediment sculpture. The Pediment Sculpture is a triangular gable, forming a roof end slope, over two portico doorways. The sculpture is oin both the east and west in the Parthenon. Both of the sculptures are 3.45 meters high and 28.55 meters long. The east pediment depicts Athena’s birth, while the west depicts Poseidon and Athena arguing over who will rule Athens. Both gods are three meters tall. In the middle of the two gods quarreling was Athena’s tree, the olive tree. On the sides were chariots with rearing horses.

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 Roman Pantheon is a monumental building that has clearly influenced many forms of architecture throughout history. The entire building has been constructed of concrete and at the time in history, is an extraordinary feat to accomplish with its dome form with no real interior structural support. Although the Pantheon has influenced many buildings, it is not particularly an eye pleasing building to view compared to the pavilion in an English Garden from the 18th Century. For example, the exterior of the Pantheon consists of an octastyle portico, backed against a tall, square attic block connecting the cylindrical walls and the portico. This combination of different forms and shapes coming together does not create a pleasing connection or

Initial observations of the Roman Pantheon from the front appear to be similar to the ruins of the Greek Parthenon, but really both structures are somewhat unique in their composition, purpose, design, and fate. Constructed over half of a millennium after the Parthenon was built, the Pantheon, built in 27 B.C., exhibits some of the architectural styles and characteristics of its predecessor. However, the Romans refined Greek building techniques, thereby developing a unique and more advanced architectural style.

This architectural style that teaches the Greek Canon, is based on proportions, symmetries, and measurements that incorporate the temple’s construction measurements to make a more decorated life-style designs (84). However, from this richly decorated reconstruction, the architecture depicts stories of their mythology and their city’s history as a representation of the victory against the Persians in the Peloponnesian war. In addition, one of the most important thing that was structural developed, is implemented by the optical illusion that recreated the Greeks (Cartwright). For example, “The flat floor is not flat at all but convex, higher in the center than it is at the peripheral of the temple” (Cartwright), which resulted in an advance during this time of period to replicate a “perceptual distortions” and to make the lines different from the distance (84). These particularities in the temple incorporates to “the building an air of richness and Greece” to glorify Athens and its human achievements

Ancient Greek architecture was very intricately made and well thought out. The Greeks used different methods and reasonings behind their architecture because they made sure that their pieces were exquisitely made to represent the things they thought were important. They valued their Gods and their worship of the Gods. It was important for them to always represent or have symbolic meaning behind all of their architectural designs. There are many hidden symbols that are involved in Greek architecture like trees, trophies, leaves, hair, and sacrifices to name a few. Greek architecture includes these hidden symbols to worship Gods, and to represent culture in their pieces.

Greek and Roman temples are very similar in structure, however they have their differences as well. Lets

The two ancient civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome were the best of the best during their time periods. Ancient Greece began around 2000 B.C. by the inhabitants known as the Mycenaean’s, followed by the Minoans. The Minoans built the foundation of Greece. The Roman Empire was founded around 753 B.C. by the two twins, Romulus and Remus. Romulus ended up killing Remus and built the city of Rome on one of seven rolling hills. Architecture was very important to both civilizations and they were always trying to out due the other. The architectural style of the Ancient Greeks and Romans was overall constructed and used differently.

The temple of Hera at Olympia, built about 600 BCE, had wooden columns that were gradually replaced by stone ones, probably as votive gifts. The variety of column and capital shapes illustrates the evolution of the Doric order. The earliest columns had a heavy, bulging profile, and their capitals were broad and low. During the archaic period, limestone became the standard building material for foundations, steps, walls, columns, and Doric entablature. Building such as the famous Temple of Aphaia on Aegina illustrate the dramatic influence of the Doric order.