The document provides an overview of Greek architecture and civilization. It discusses the early Minoan and Mycenaean civilizations, then focuses on the architecture of classical Greece from the 8th to 4th centuries BC. It outlines the historical context, including the geography of Greece, the rise of city-states, and the major periods of architecture - Archaic, Classical, and Hellenistic. Key aspects covered include the use of stone, classical orders, temple and civic building design, and city planning principles that were introduced.

1. ARC 044
History of Architecture
Lecture – 22
Greek Architecture

2. Module Outline
• Lecture
• Early Greek Period
– Historical Background
• Location and period of Greek
• Social characteristics and beliefs
• Lecture
– Architecture of the Civilization
• Greek Orders
• Temple Architecture
• Civic Architecture
• Lecture
• Greek City Planning and Design
• Greek Architecture in Athens
• Lecture
– Architectural Characteristics
• Buildings and other architectural elements
• Building materials and construction

3. Module Learning Outcomes
• What do we expect to learn from the
civilization?
– Stone construction and decoration
– The introduction of Proportion in Architecture
– The introduction of the classical orders of
architecture
– Greek architecture of temples and civic
buildings
– Principles of Greek city Planning and Design
– Opportunities for women – Many Read and
Write

4. Early Greek Architecture
Minoan and Mycenaean
Civilizations

5. Minoan Civilization (2000-1400)
• Seafaring
• Enjoyed a sense of
security
• Prosperous
• Their writing has not been
deciphered
On the Island of Crete

6. Palace of Minos

7. How the Palace of Minos might
have looked:

8. The Queen’s Quarters, Palace of Minos
 Artifacts and religionArtifacts and religion
 Fertility goddessFertility goddess
or priestessor priestess

9. Mycenaean Civilization (1600-1100)
• Militant and aggressive
• Strong Navy
• Heavily fortified Citadels
• Royal tombs have treasures
• 1200 B.C. they attacked
Troy
TROY

10. Funerary Mask
Royal graves of Mycenae
(1500 B.C)
Mycenaean
Lion Gate

11. Historical Background
Location
• Greeks lived on rocky
mountainous land
surrounded by water .The
mainland of Greece is a
peninsula.
• Surrounded on three sides
by sea.
• Mountains cover 70 to 80 %
of Greece , divide land into
many regions.
• Towards the later or
Hellenistic period, Greek
civilization spread to other far
away places including Asia
Minor and Northern Africa
Q- What bodies of water surround Greece? Ans - Mediterranean, Ionian, Aegean
Seas

12. Historical Background
Location
• Rocky land , Only 20 to 30 % good
for farming .
• Greeks therefore lived along the
coastline or on islands where the soil
was good for farming
• The Aegean and Mediterranean Seas
provided a means of communication
and trade with other places.
• Trade brought an alphabet and coins
to Greece.
• Skilled Shipbuilders and sailors .
Question ---How did mountains affect the location of Greek settlements?
Hint ----Isolated them and developed their own city- states.

13. Period
• The period of ancient Greek history can
be divided into four as follows:
– 1100 B. C. – 750 B. C. Greek Dark Ages
– 750 B. C. – 500 B. C. Archaic Period
– 500 B. C. – 323 B. C. Classical Period
– 323 B. C. – 147 B. C. Hellenistic Period
• The classical and archaic period are
sometimes collectively referred to as
Hellenic period

14. Period of Greeks
• Greek Dark Ages (1100-750 BC)
– The Mycenaean people were Greek in Origin
– Greek civilization is therefore usually viewed as a
continuation of the Mycenaean civilization
– As Greek people migrated from the mainland, other
people from other less prosperous mountain regions of
the north migrated to the more fertile coastline regions.
– They invade the Greek mainland villages and established
their rule .
– Earthquakes destroyed many cities .
– Greek culture then declined , kept no written records .
– Period of Warfare and Disorder –a period called Dark
age

15. Period
Archaic Period - City states (750 - 500 BC)
– The revival of Greece from the dark ages
started during the eight century BC
– Started to Join together in small groups for
protection & stability .
– These groups set up independent city – Polis.
– City states are cities which are ruled as
independent nations
– The archaic period saw the renewal interest in
overseas trading contact

16. Period
• Archaic Period (750 - 500 BC)
– Greek societies that were
engaged in trade became rich
and by joining with other their
neighbors, sometimes forcefully,
formed large states
– Early examples of these city
states include Athens, Corinth,
Argos, Aegean, Miletus , and
Sparta.
– The archaic period marked the
beginnings of Greek monumental
stone sculpture and architecture .
– The rising threat of the Persian
Empire marked the end of the
Greek archaic period .
Plan of Athens

17. Period
• Classical period (500 - 323 BC)
– The Classical period of ancient Greek history occurred
between 500 BC, and 323 BC.
– The period started with the Greek city states coming into
conflict with the rising Persian Empire
– Pericles, the ruler of Athens between 444 and 429 BC
became a driving force for the development of temple
architecture.
– Between 431 and 404, Athens entered into a series of wars.
with Sparta which left it in ruins.
– The Macedonian king, Philip rapidly extended Macedonian
power and wealth.
– His son Alexander undertook a lot of military campaigns to
extend the Greek empire and founded many new cities.
– The Death of Alexander marked the end of the classical
period of Greece civilization

18. Period
• Hellenistic period (323 - 147 BC)
– The Hellenistic period of ancient Greek civilization started
with the death of Alexander in 323 BC
– When Alexander died, he did not have a heir to inherit him
– The Greek empire split into smaller states with Alexander’s
generals as their rulers.
– The period saw the transplanting of Greek art, Civic
Buildings , civic life and culture to newly conquered areas .
– The Hellenistic period ended in 147 BC, when the Roman
Empire conquered Greece and incorporated the city states
into it

19. • Religious Belief
– The ancient Greeks were polytheistic, believing in many
different gods and goddesses
– All aspect of life was under the protection of the gods .
– All the gods and goddesses had specific roles, controlling
one or two major aspects of life .
– Zeus was, for example, the supreme leader of the gods,
Hermes was the messenger of the gods, and Poseidon
was the god of the sea.
– Ancient Greeks believed that religion would make their
lives better while they were living and gods would take
care of them when they died.
– Animals were usually sacrificed as a gift to the gods

20. • Place of Worship
– Temples were the focus of Greek religious worships .
– Temples were usually built in the cities of the Gods called
“Acropolis”
– Temples were built in every town and city for one or more
god or goddess .
– The most important task for architects was how to make the
temple beautiful.
– The festivals included plays, music, dancing, and then a
parade to the temple where they made sacrifices .