Three Types of Greek Architecture & How They Are Identified
The ancient Greek architectural system consists of three separate orders known as the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian. Each order maintains its own rules regarding proportions and detailing. The current understanding of Greek architecture stems from buildings that survived from ancient periods. Additional information from written documents also aid in understanding ancient Greek architecture. Study a structure's columns to determine the architectural order from which it originated.
Doric order
The greatest available example of the Doric order resides in Athens, Greece. The Athena Parthenos, or Parthenon, built in the 5th century B.C. Glancing at the sturdy columns of the Parthenon displays its Doric heritage. The Doric style emerged mainly on mainland Greece and colonies in southern Italy and Sicily. Doric order architecture typically utilizes strong, sturdy columns with a plain, flat top (the capital). Doric columns stood directly on the pavement of a structure without utilizing a base. Additionally, the Doric order fluted its columns with concave, parallel grooves. According to Crystallinks.com, "A pronounced feature of both Greek and Roman versions of the Doric order are the triglyphs and metopes." A Doric frieze (the horizontal central band of a classical entablature) consists of triglyphs (an upright block on either side of the metopes with three parallel vertical channels on its face) and metopes (the area that resides between the triglyphs on a Doric order frieze).
Ionic order
Characterized as thinner and more elegant than the Doric style, this style emerged in eastern Greece, the cities of Ionia and some of the Aegean islands. One Ionic structure, the Temple of Artemis at Ephesus, belongs to the Seven Wonders of the World. Ionic columns stand on a base that delineates the column from the platform or stylobate. Unlike the plain, flat capital of the Doric column, the capital on the Ionic column utilizes a pair of scrolled volutes (spiral scrolls). The volutes represent the major feature of the Ionic order. Ionic columns typically have flutes and conform to an eight or nine diameter-column height. Even though the Parthenon's design consists chiefly of Doric elements, it contains elements of the Ionic order as well.
Corinthian order
Corinthian stands as the most recent as well as the most ornate of the classical orders of architecture. The Corinthian style did not gain prominence in ancient Greece but ancient Roman temples used it extensively. The capital on a Corinthian column bares a slight resemblance to the capital on an Ionic column, except more enriched. Reduced size volutes and ornamental leaves separate the Corinthian column from the Ionic. Flutes adorn the Corinthian column and sometimes the flutes contain enriched details as well. The Corinthian column looks similar in proportions to the Ionic column, but its carved capital gives it its distinctive look. The Temple of Zeus, the most famous example of the ancient Corinthian order, resides in Athens, Greece.
