Notes on Ancient Greek Architecture

Overview

• Ancient Greek architecture originated around 900 BC and lasted until the 1st century AD.
• Known for temples, open-air theatres, and structures like the agora, propylon, bouleuterion, mausoleum, and stadium.
• Temples such as the Parthenon are prime examples.
• Architecture characterized by formalized structure and decoration, often designed to complement their landscape.

Influences on Architecture

Geography

• Rocky terrain, indented coastline, and mountain ranges offered stone, especially limestone and marble.
• Climate influenced outdoor activities, hence buildings like temples and theatres were often outdoors.

Historical Context

• Greek civilization divided into Hellenic (900 BC - 323 BC) and Hellenistic (323 BC - 30 AD) periods.
• Influenced by previous Minoan and Mycenaean cultures.

Artistic Development

• Art divided into Protogeometric, Geometric, Archaic, and Classical periods.
• Development from geometric style pottery to lifelike sculptures depicting human forms.

Religion and Philosophy

• Greek religion was nature-based with personification of natural elements as gods.
• Temples were built to house statues of gods and serve as focal points for worship.
• Architecture reflected humanist philosophy focusing on order, symmetry, and beauty.

Architectural Characteristics

Structural Elements

• Greek architecture is 'post and lintel' with horizontal beams (lintels) supported by vertical posts (columns).
• Early wooden structures were replaced by stone constructions.

Building Types

• Domestic Buildings: included simple structures to more elaborate homes with mosaic floors and courtyards.
• Public Buildings: temples, theatres, gymnasiums, and agoras.

Orders of Architecture

Doric Order

• Simplest, characterized by sturdy columns without bases and simple capitals.
• Associated with mainland Greece.

Ionic Order

• More elaborate than Doric, with scrolled capitals and bases.
• Developed in Ionia and Aegean Islands.

Corinthian Order

• Most ornate, with elaborate capitals decorated with acanthus leaves.
• Became popular in the Hellenistic period.

Architectural Features

Masonry and Construction

• Use of ashlar masonry for precision and durability.
• Buildings often rested on a base called crepidoma.

Roofs and Openings

• Early roofs were thatched, later replaced by ceramic tiles.
• Use of hypostyle halls for support of large roof spans.

Decorative Elements

• Included friezes, metopes, and pediments often decorated with sculptural reliefs.
• Use of terracotta and stucco for ornamental purposes.

Influence on Western Architecture

• Ancient Greek architectural styles greatly influenced Roman architecture and later Western architecture.
• Revivals during the Renaissance and Neoclassical period emphasized Greek forms and symmetry.