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Kevin J. Benoy
Origins
Our word architecture comes from the Greek architecton, which means master carpenter. Early Greek architecture therefore employed wood, not stone. These early structures, as well as those of mudbrick, have not survived.
Origins
The trigyph, which alternates with the metapes, began as wooden beam ends.
Origins
In moving from wood to stone, builders had to adapt to the differing properties of their building materials. Stone has greater compressive (resistance to crushing) strength than wood, but lacks tensile strength (resistance to bending or twisting). Therefore, while columns/posts might be relatively thin, the entablature/beams, must be quite thick.
Origins
Greek temples, like Egyptian temples, used basic post-andbeam construction. This is sometimes referred to as trabeated.
Origins
Early temples had massive pillars as architects worried about their ability to support the weight above. Later temples appear more elegant.
Hephaistion, Athens
Origins
Some experts feel that the entasis, the outward bulging in the middle of Greek columns, may originally have been an imitation of the effect of great compression in wooden posts. It also serves as a kind of correction to an optical illusion, however.
Entasis
Entasis counteracts the tendency of the eye to reach upward, forcing it to travel up and down the shaft. Columns that are straight appear thinner in the middle when seen against light, making the supports appear flimsy. The middle bulge counteracts this. The upper 2/3 of the shafts to the right are tapered.
Temples - Purpose
Unlike modern churches or mosques, Greek temples were not meant to be meeting places for congregations. They were homes for the communitys god or goddess and a place to keep offerings A cult image was centrally located within a naos, or chapel.
Temples - Purpose
In the mild climate of Greece, ceremonies generally took place outdoors. Even the alter, upon which sacrifices were made, were outside the temple structure.
Temple Forms
Greek temples, like Egyptian ones, tended to follow set patterns, which were regarded as ideal forms. Variations are few in any given period, tending to reflect the choice of a particular classical order, rather than new and novel design.
The Propylaea
This is the monumental entry point to the acropolis.
The Parthenon
This is the most important and perfectly formed temple on the acropolis. Dedicated to Athena, it housed an enormous cult image.
Parthenon
This building is the culmination of Classical Greek architecture. Optical refinements are many, and the result is a building reflecting the Greek concept of arete, perfection.
Click here to see a NOVA video clip on the Parthenons optical refinements.
The Parthenon
One of the Parthenons most impressive features was not seen by most worshippers the great frieze showing the Panathenaic Procession. The colour of this reconstruction is indicative of what much of the structure would have looked like before being bleached by centuries of Mediterranean sun.
The Erechtheum
This is a complex building of up to four distinct spaces. It is also built on a slope, so its walls are of differing heights. It is dedicated to Athena Polias and Poseidon Erechtheus.
The Erechtheum
The most distinctive element of this building is the Porch of the Maidens.
Finis