1. The Parthenon temple in Athens, built between 447-432 BC, was a key example of Greek architecture. 2. Constructed entirely of marble, it stood on the Acropolis and was dedicated to the goddess Athena. 3. The temple had a rectangular design and stood on a crepidoma with three steps, with eight columns on the front and back.

1. Greek Architecture
(650 B.C.- 30B.C.)(preceded by Aegean Circa 3000-1100B.C.)
By-
Ar. Aakritee Arya

2. Formation & Development
• ‘Aegean’ culture was started in Crete island in the Mediterranean sea
in about 3000 BC by migration of people from Asia minor.
• The Aegean culture was extended to the Greece.
• The country is surrounded by sea on three sides.
• The country is mountainous and separated by hills and dales.
• Sea was the main source of communication and trade.
• The country had plenty of building material but importance was given
to unrivalled marble.
• Highly polished marble stucco with mirror like finish is an important
feature of Greek architecture.
• Greek temples were surrounded by open colonnades in full view of
common people.

3. Formation & Development
• Temples were oriented towards east so that the statues were lit by morning sun.
• Civilization mainly spread through ‘Bronze age’.
• The Greeks were democratic and women played important role in social life. The idea was based on individual
freedom.
• They encouraged literature, sports, music & drama. Hence, constructed stadiums, palaestra (wrestling school),
theatres, hippo-drome, basilica (assembly hall) and agora (open air market).
• They did not believe in life after death, hence little concern for tombs.
• Their love for beauty and variety gave rise to two types of columns & entablature- Doric of Western and Ionic of
Eastern Greeks.
• The latter developed a third, Corinthian columns.
• The three types of columns are known as ‘Orders of Architecture’.

4. THE TIMELINE
Aegan Culture &
Architecture
Circa
3000-
1100
BC
• Started on Crete island.
• Migration from Asia Minor
• Initial incursion of northern Greeks
& then complete destruction by
Dorian Greeks.
• Houses built in Mud brick, rubble.
• Roofs flat covered with terracotta
tiles.
• Gypsum for floor but no use of
Mortar.
• Temples, palaces, roads, bridges,
aqueducts.
• Typical Examples- Palace of King
Minos at Knossos.
Hellenic Period
(Classical)
Circa
650-
323
BC
Helladic Period (Archaic)
3000-2000
BC
• Handmade
earthenware
• Commerce &
agriculture
• Trading with
Crete
Early Period
2000-1600
BC
• Simple
houses
• Trading
became less
important
Middle
Period
1600-1050
BC
• Greeks’
Bronze age
Late/ Mycenaean
Period
Greek Architecture 650 BC-30 BC
Typical Examples-
• Agamemnon’s Palace at Mycenae.
• The Lion Gate Mycenae.
Hellenistic Period
Circa
650-
323
BC
• Combined influence of
Egypt & Assyria.
• Columnar & Trabated
style.
• Key feature- Optical
illusion
• Carpentry in marble.
• In contrast with Roman
architecture.
• Temples & famous
buildings at Acropolis
in Athens.
• Public Buildings.
• Civic sense
developed &
town planning
came into play.
• Trabeated style
along with
arches.
• Roof trusses
• 3 Orders of
Architecture.

5. Hellenic Period
• Columnar & Trabeated Style-
• Evolved from wooden hut of upright posts and supporting beam and sloping
rafters.
• Limited span since the architraves were composed of single blocks of stones or
marbles.
• Use of internal columns in temple halls.
• No use of arches, vaults or domes and were in strong contrast to Roman
characteristics.
• Use of timber initially but eventually started using marble and hence Greek architecture is rightly called as ‘Carpentry
in marble’.
• In 600 BC, walls were constructed with masonry ( coursed rubble to fine ashlar) but there was no use of Mortar.
• Minimized joint using large stones and stones or marble blocks were joined by metal cramps & dowels.
• Stone walls were beautified by ‘marble stucco.’
• Exteriors designed with colonnades.
• Doorways were square and rectangular.
Characteristic Features-
The combined influence of Egypt & Assyria is noticeable in early development of Greek style.

6. • Windows were rarely used.
• Sloping roofs were covered with terracotta/marble tiles masked with antifixae ornament.
• Pediment had floral design ‘Acroteria’ at top and sloping ends.
• Major key feature was OPTICAL ILLUSION.
• Long horizontal structures such as entablature would appear to sag in the middle. It was corrected by forming
façade with slight convex outlines in the center.
• Vertical columns if built straight would appear curved inwards. To correct this defect they were made to bulge in
the center slightly, known as ‘entasis’.
• The letters of inscription were made larger in upper lines than in the lower, so they might appear to be of the
same size when seen from ground level.
• The Greek Orders of Architecture were a necessary feature of construction and essence of Greek Architecture.
Characteristic Features-

7. Orders of Architecture
• An order in classical architecture consists of upright
column or support & the horizontal entablature or part
supported.
• The Column consists of- Base, Shaft & Capital.
• The Entablature consists of- Architrave, frieze and
cornice.

8. • Unit of measurement- According to Italian architects Palladio and Vignola the unit of measurement is taken as on
‘module’.
• 1 module= semi diameter (radius) of the column at the base.
• The module is sub-divided into 30 parts or minutes.
• In present times, the orders are drawn in terms of the diameter of the column at the base.. The diameter is firstly fixed
and then the other parts are drawn in proportion to it.
Orders of Architecture
Proportions of Greek Classical orders-
Name of Greek Order Height of Column in terms of
lower diameter
Height of Entablature in terms of
lower Diameter
Doric 7 2
Ionic 9 2
Corinthian 10 2 1/4

9. The Greek Doric Order
• The word Doric comes from Dorians, the people of ancient
Greece.
• The order is taken from the famous temple of Parthenon at
Athens constructed in BC 438 on the high grounds of
Acropolis.
• Columns-
• The column height is 6-7 times the diameter of base ‘D’.
• No base for column but stands on a platform of 3 steps
called crepidoma.
• The bottom part plinth known as stereobate, the
middle dado/ die and the top Stylobate. Each part is ¼
D in height.
• The shaft is circular and gradually tapers to ¾ to 2/3 at
top.
• The shaft in length is divided
into 20 flutes.
• Flutes- Elliptical channels or
grooves.
• The shaft has entasis profile.
• The capital consists of Abacus
and Echinus.
• The capital is ½ D high.
• The centre to centre distance
between two columns at the
lower diameter is 2D.

10. The Greek Doric Order
• Entablature- It is 2D high and consists of 3 parts- Architrave, Frieze and Cornice.
• Architrave- It is lintel proper which is plain and ¾ D in height.
• Flat moulding at top called Taenia and below it is regula under each triglyph.
• It projects slightly beyond the face of the column.
• Frieze-
• It is ¾ D high and contains triglyph and metope.
• Formed by 2 upright v-shaped channels on both ends which are rounded at
the top.
• The width of triglyph is 1 module.
• Cornice-
• It is the crowning part and semi diameter high.
• It projects beyond the frieze by one module.
• On top of cornice is the decorated block called Antefixae which are placed to
hide joints.

11. The Greek Ionic Order
• The word Doric comes from Ionians of ancient Greece.
• The order is taken from the famous temple of Erechtheion constructed in BC 409
situated to the north of Parthenon.
• Columns-
• The column has a base.
• The column height including base, shaft and capital is usually 9 times the lower
diameter.
• The base is semi-diameter high and the upper and lower torus is separated by
scotia and fillets.
• The base is called attic base.
• The circular shaft has 24 flutes and it diminishes to 5/6 D at its top.
• The inter-columniation is 4D.
• The order has remarkable volute or scroll capital and decorative motif derived
from lotus or nautilus. The capital is ¾ or 2/3 high.

12. The Greek Ionic Order
• Entablature- It varies in height but is usually 2D high and consists of 3 parts- Architrave,
Frieze and Cornice.
• Architrave-
• It is ¾ D in height and consists of triple fasciae i.e. three bean projecting one above
another.
• The top cyma contains leaf and dart ornament.
• Frieze-
• It is ¾ D high .
• Either plain or ornamented by a continuous band of sculptures.
• Cornice-
• Similar like Doric Order. It is the crowning part and semi diameter high.
• Water spouts in shape of lion heads.
• No Antefixae but cymatium is elaborately enriched by lotus and payrus ornaments.

13. The Greek Corinthian Order
• The order is taken from ‘Choragi Monuments of Lysicrates.’
• It was constructed in 335 BC at Athens to celebrate the victory of Choragi contest.
• The monument stands on a square base with six columns which supports elaborately sculptured
entablature.
• Columns-
• The column height including base, shaft and capital is usually 10 times the lower diameter.
• The base is semi-diameter high and the upper and lower torus is separated by scotia and
fillets. The lower torus is 1 1/3 times the diameter of shaft.
• The circular shaft has 24 flutes and it diminishes to 5/6 D at its top.
• The inter-columniation is 3D.
• The order has distinctive capital which is much deeper than the Ionic order being about 1
1/3 D high.
• Its origin is uncertain but it might have evolved from the Egyptian bell shaped capital.
• The other origin can be as Vitruvius records was due to Callimachus.

14. The Greek Corinthian Order
• Usual capital has inverted bell shape. The lower part consists two rows of
eight acanthus leaves resting on lotus or water leaves and upper part rise
eight Caulicoli (caulis= stalk)
• Entablature- Its height is usually 2 1/4 D high.
• Bears close resemblance to Ionic order.
• Architrave-
• It is ¾ D in height and consists of triple fasciae i.e. three bean projecting
one above another.
• Frieze-
• It is ¾ D high .
• Ornamented by a continuous band of sculptures.
• Cornice-
• It is lighter than other types and is ¾ D high.
• Contains dentils below the Corona and Antefixal ornament at the top.

15. 1. Temples
• Main type of buildings built in the Hellenic Period.
• East oriented temples.
• The temples stood on Crepidoma of three or more steps
• The Naos which is equivalent to garbha- griha contained the statues of the deity.
• The temple was surrounded with colonnades.
• Entrance door at east was tall and about 2/3 times of the height of Naos
• The front consisted of closely placed columns supporting a triangular shaped Pediment.
• The timber roofs were most common covered with terracotta or marble tiles.
2. The Tower of Winds (c 48 BC)-
• Built to know the weather and time.
• Octagonal in plan and designed in marble.
• 7m wide internally and 12.5m high with entrance at north east or north west side.
• Two columned entrance portico with fluted columns about 4m high.
3. Propylaea-
• These are the two entrance gates and formed to approach the sacred enclosures in many cities.
• It is designed to afford the complete and stimulating view of the location.
Typical Examples of Greek Architecture

16. 4. Theatres
• Open air structures containing- orchestra, auditorium, and the scene building.
• Theatres were usually constructed on slope of hill side near the cities.
• Orchestra was circular plan and slightly raised.
• The auditorium rose in tiers containing seats.
• It was divided into wedge shaped cunei by radiating flights of steps
• A horizontal path diazoma awas provided at some interval.
• Ex- Theatre of Dionysos, Athens (500 BC)
5. Stadiums
6. Hippodrome- Used for horse or Chariot racing.
7. Palaestra-
• Used as wrestling school or sports center.
• Often attached to Gymnasium and constituted of swimming pool, dressing room,
toilet, resting hall etc.
• Ex- Gymnasia at Olympia, Ephesus and Pergamon.
8. Stoa-
• Long Colonnaded building as shelter at religious shrines.
• One at the Olympia is 100m long & 10m wide.
Typical Examples of Greek Architecture

17. 9. Agora-
• The city square or open area market place.
• Used for festivals, Exhibitions and open air meeting place.
• Surrounded with civic halls, council halls & Stoas.
• Ex- Agora at Assos.
10. Prytaneion-
• Senate house for the chief dignitaries of the city.
• Also used as place to entertain distinguished guests.
• Consists of Feast/dinner room and a hearth for sacred fire.
• Ex- Pryaneion at Olympia, Athens
11. Assembly Halls-
• Used by all citizens in general
• Ex- Thersilion at Megapolis and Telesterion at Eleusis.
12. Bouleuterion-
• Council Hall and used as a meeting place by the elected Councilors.
• Ex- Bouleuterion at Miletus.
13. Odeion-
• Similar to theatre where the musicians carried their performance.
• Ex- Odeion of Pericles at Athens.
Typical Examples of Greek Architecture
Bouleuterion at Miletus.

18. • Temple is built entirely in Pentelic marble on the high ground of Acropolis, south of temple of Athena and dedicated to
Athena Parthenos the virgin Athena.
• Constructed by the architects Ictinus and Callicrates under the supervision of master sculptor Pheidias.
The temple of Parthenon at Athens (447 BC-432BC)
• The temple is built on a rectulangular plan
71 m (228’-2”) long and 32 m (101’-4”)
wide.
• It stands on crepidoma which has three
steps. Each step has 70cm tread and 50cm
rise.
• These being difficult to climb, smaller
steps are also provided at the center of
east and west ends.
• The temple is designed in octa-style i.e.
eight columns in front and back, which
lean inward.
• The intermediate columns are about
1.88m whereas the corner columns are
1.90 m in diameter at base.

19. • The corner columns are stouter and closer to the adjacent columns.
• All orders are 10.4m high and of Doric order and east facing.
• The statue of Athena is placed in Naos which is 30m long and 19 m wide
with three rows of columns, ten on each side and five on western side in
two tiers.
• The statue of Athena measures 13m with its pedestal.
• The entablature supported on columns is about 3.4m high and curved
up in the middle.
• Architrave is ornamented with bronze shield.
• The sculptured metopes are about 1.34 m squares numbering 14 on
front and back and 32 on south and north sides.
• The friezes lean outward slightly.
The temple of Parthenon at Athens (447 BC-432BC)

20. • The pediment is inclined 13 degree 30 minutes and has floral
decoration called acroteria about 3m high at its top and lower angles.
• The sloping cornices of pediment contained the honey suckle
ornament.
• The tympana in the pediment are fully enriched with fine sculptures in
bright colours.
• After the fall of Greeks, it was under the Romans but still received the
same status as it did during the Greek’s control.
• The Greeks embraced Christianity and Parthenon ultimately became
Christian Chapel.
• The temple at its glory stood as a miracle of architecture with its
shinning marble, sensuous sculpture in glowing colours.
The temple of Parthenon at Athens (447 BC-432BC)

21. A B C