Ancient Greek architecture will lay the foundations for what will be built in the West during the following centuries, and its influence has been found to this day.
The Greeks were responsible for the creation of a completely new architectural language, highlighting the greek orders. As well as the foundation of the basic concepts not only of architecture, but also of sculpture and painting, and the formulation of rules for artistic creation.
Based on calculations and perfect proportions and influenced by mythology, Greek architecture pays main attention to the construction of temples.
You temples they were places designed for the gods and where architectural sculptures representing them were found.
Temples were built on high places so that they could be seen from different angles. Initially in wood, they started to be built in stone at the end of the 7th century BC. Ç.
Most temples were made of marble or covered with this stone, but they were also built in limestone, for example. There is also evidence that the buildings would be painted and the most used colors were red and blue.
In addition to temples, the Greeks also stood out in the construction of stadiums, theaters and public squares, and the construction of houses was more careless at that time.
the greek temples
Greek temples are the most famous works of Greek architecture. They were built for the gods and also served as a shelter for sculptures depicting these deities.
Temples were also used as places for political and religious events and ceremonies. were therefore, places of social interaction.
The space where these temples were built was an important factor, high places were sought, which would value the works and could be seen from different places.
One of the most famous and monumental buildings in ancient Greece is the Parthenon. Erected during the rebuilding of the Acropolis of Athens (which had been destroyed by the Persians c. 480 a. C.), is one of the temples that constitutes and defines the classical phase of Greek art.
Parthenon it was consecrated to the goddess Athena, who named the city of Athens and was its patroness. Of Doric order, it was built in white marble and in the highest place in the city, attracting all the attention of the surroundings.
During the following centuries, and after serving the goddess Athena, the Parthenon it also served as a Byzantine church, a Catholic cathedral and, ultimately, a Turkish mosque.
Today it is in ruins, the state in which it remained from 1687, when it was used as a magazine by the Ottomans and exploded during a siege (military operation).
In the 19th century, the English plundered its interior and extracted most of the sculptures, which are now found in the British Museum.
Parthenon, Acropolis - Greece.
One of the oldest and best preserved temples, Paestum, is located in southern Italy and was built in 550 BC. Ç. This temple was built in honor of the goddess Hera and considered a World Heritage Site by Unesco.
Temple Paestum, Salerno, Italy.
Another monumental work of the Greeks was the Temple of Erechtheion, also located on the Acropolis of Athens, facing the Parthenon. Built between 421 and 405 a. C., was a sanctuary with religious functions and its name is inspired by erectheus, a legendary king of Athens.
Erechtheion it is also famous for the Caryatids, sculptures of women who served as a column in one of the porticoes of the temple.
temple of Erechtheion, Acropolis - Greece.
architectural orders
The main feature of Greek architecture was the creation of three architectural orders: the Doric (oldest), the Ionic and the Corinthian (Corinthian is a variant of the Ionic order).
An order is an architectural structure formed by the entablature (base), column and potting (upper part of the column), with its own rules and characteristics.
The names of the orders are linked to the geographical distribution of Ancient Greece, but the use of these orders is mixed in the Acropolis of Athens. Athens is an Ionian region, but on the Acropolis, for example, there are Doric buildings.
Doric, Ionic and Corinthian order columns, respectively.
Doric order
It appeared at the beginning of the VII century; Ç. - Archaic Period - and it is the most rustic column style among the three, that is, it has the least ornaments.
Columns of the Doric order follow strict mathematical proportions, are corrugated and have no base. This style developed in mainland Greece and spread to Italy.
Ionian Order
Developed by the Aegean Sea and especially in Athens, this order is more delicate and differs from the Doric mainly by the columns, which now sit on a framed base and have a more ornate capital (upper end of the column).
The volutes are like two scrolls that decorate the capital of the more elongated Ionic columns and give them a less muscular character than those of the Doric.
Corinthian Order
The Corinthian order is a more elaborate variant of the Ionian order. The Corinthian capital is shaped like an inverted bell and covered with acanthus leaves.
Initially designed to decorate interiors only, it gradually began to replace Ionic capitals, being widely used between the end of the 5th century BC. Ç. and beginning of the fourth century a. Ç.
Periods of Ancient Greece
Greek architecture was developed over centuries and is divided into three historical periods:
- Archaic Period: it is the initial phase of Greek architecture and corresponds to the period between the 7th and 6th centuries BC. Ç.
- Classic Period: it was a time of great development in Greece, including the arts and architecture and took place between the 5th and 4th centuries a. Ç.
- Hellenistic Period: period of the weakening and decay of Greece, was from century IV to century I a. Ç.
Characteristics of Greek Architecture
Despite the different styles, Greek architecture has inherent characteristics in all its constructions, see some of them:
- Presence of columns and frames.
- Harmonious shapes and rigorous proportions.
- Monumental works (grand).
- Buildings for public use (stadiums, temples, theaters, etc).
Other constructions of Greek architecture
In addition to the temples, the Greeks built stadiums, theaters, public squares and spaces for social interaction.
A curiosity about the Greek constructions is that the precision and complexity of the works for public use were not applied in the construction of their houses. Houses were built in a disorderly and chaotic way.
the theaters
Greek theaters were important places of social interaction and resemble theater plays today. It is believed that the arena in which the theaters were built inspired the layout of existing theaters today.
Theater of Ancient Greece, Athens.
the stadiums
Stadiums, a legacy left by the Greeks to our society, were places for the practice of sports. Some stadiums had the capacity for more than 30,000 people.
Stadium in ancient Greece, Athens.
public squares
Also called Ágoras, public squares were places for discussions related to city life, such as justice, culture, public works - they were spaces for the exercise of democracy.
Agora in Athens, Greece.
See also the meaning of Ancient Greece, Greek mythology and polis.
