Greek to Roman Architecture

HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF ARCHITECTURE

Egyptian Byzantine

Pre-Historic Greek Roman Early Christian Romanesque Gothic Renaissance 18th-19th C: 20th C:
Revival Modern

Near East Islamic

HISTORICAL TIMELINE OF ARCHITECTURE

Egyptian

Pre-Historic Greek Roman

Near East
GREEK
 GREEK: GEOGRAPHICAL INFLUENCE
 surrounded on three sides by
the sea, possessed of many
natural harbours,and
convenient for the
development of trade
 mountainous nature of the
country separated the
inhabitants into groups or
clans = rivalry
 rugged nature of the Greek
Peninsula & its widespread
islands = made
communication difficult
GREEK: GEOLOGICAL INFLUENCE
 MARBLE - chief mineral
wealth of Greece, the
most monumental
building material in
existence, and one
which favours purity of
line and refinement in
detail
 The country was also
rich in silver, copper,
and iron.
GREEK: CLIMATIC INFLUENCE
 intermediate between rigorous cold and relaxing
heat: favoured an outdoor life, most of public
ceremonies took place in an open air,even in
religious rites,due to limited public buildings other
than temples

 hot sun and sudden showers = porticoes and

colonnades which were such important features
GREEK: RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
 AEGEANS:worship“nature”,priestesses
conducted the religious rites

 GREEKS: Represents their deities by large statues.

They worship natural phenomena, ancestors and
deified heroes
GREEK: RELIGIOUS INFLUENCE
GREEK: SOCIAL & POLITICAL INFLUENCE
 Chief diversion were music,dancing,wrestling,
boxing, gymnastic,and bullfighting often with
religious connection. Women took part in hunting
and more strenuous games, as well as in craftwork

 National games and religious festivals united them

in reverence for their religion, and gave them that
love for music, the drama,and the fine arts, and that
emulation in manly sports and contests for which
they were distinguished.
GREEK: SOCIAL & POLITICAL INFLUENCE
 people led an open-air life, for the public
ceremonies and in many cases the administration of
justice were carried on in the open air

 Forms of government:tyrannic,aristocratic,&
democratic
GREEK: HISTORICAL INFLUENCE
PERIODS OF DEVELOPMENT
 Early Period : Aegeans,Minoans & Myceneans (3000 BC –
700 BC)
 Hellenic Period: Greek cultural influence and power
was at its peak in Europe, Africa and Asia,
experiencing Prosperity and progress in
the arts, exploration, literature, theater,
architecture, music, mathematics,philosophy,
and science
GREEK: ARCHITECTURAL CHARACTER
AEGEAN ARCHITECTURE OR EARLY PERIOD
 roughness and massiveness of structure

GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD

 Simplicity & Harmony
 Purity of Lines
 Perfection of Proportions
 Refinement of Details
 "carpentry in marble“ - timber forms imitated in stone
with remarkable exactness
GREEK: ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
AEGEAN ARCHITECTURE OR EARLY PERIOD
 Low pitch or flat roof on multi-storey structure
 Stairway was developed for vertical circulation
 principal building types:Houses termed as“Megaron”&
palaces
 4 Methods of walling surface finishes:
a) Cyclopean – a masonry made-up of huge stone blocks laid
mortar
b) Polygonal – a masonry w/c is constructed w/ stones having
polygonal faces
c) Rectangular – block of stone cut into rectangular shapes.
d) Inclined blocks – stones with inclined blocks
GREEK: ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
AEGEAN ARCHITECTURE OR EARLY PERIOD
 Low pitch or flat roof on multi-storey structure
 Stairway was developed for vertical circulation
 principal building types:Houses termed as“Megaron”&
palaces
 4 Methods of walling surface finishes:
a) Cyclopean – a masonry made-up of huge stone blocks laid
mortar
b) Polygonal – a masonry w/c is constructed w/ stones having
polygonal faces
c) Rectangular – block of stone cut into rectangular shapes.
d) Inclined blocks – stones with inclined blocks
GREEK: ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
 Rectangular plan
 Propylaea - Temples gateways
 Colonnade surrounds the temple.
 Lacunaria - timber paneled coffers, no ceiling
 Walls were made up of stones.
 Marble sculptures
 Mural paintings on the walls of temples
 Entasis - optical illusions were corrected from horizontal
lines not to appear dropping or sagging from the center
GREEK: ARCHITECTURAL FEATURES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE
or HELLENIC PERIOD
 Entasis - optical
illusions were
corrected from
horizontal lines not to
appear dropping or
sagging from the
center
GREEK: EXAMPLES
AEGEAN
ARCHITECTURE OR
EARLY PERIOD
1.) Megaron
Areas:
 Enclosed porch
 Living apartment or
megaron proper
 “Thalamus”or The Megaron complex at Mycenae, view from
sleeping room the main hall (circular hearth visible in
foreground) through the anteroom and porch.
GREEK: EXAMPLES
AEGEAN
ARCHITECTURE OR
EARLY PERIOD
2.) Gate of Lions,
Mycenae
 most ancient stone
sculpture in Europe
GREEK: EXAMPLES
AEGEAN
ARCHITECTURE OR
EARLY PERIOD
3.) Palaces
 used by kings or local
chieftain

King Minos Palace,Crete

GREEK: EXAMPLES
AEGEAN ARCHITECTURE OR EARLY PERIOD
4.)Tombs
2 Types of AegeanTomb:
a) Tholos – a stone-vaulted construction, shaped like an old
fashion beehive. It consists of a long passage known as
“Dromos” leading to domed chamber.
b) Rock–cut or chamber tomb – rectangular chamber, cut w/
in the slope hill -side approach by Dromos
GREEK: EXAMPLES
AEGEAN ARCHITECTURE OR
EARLY PERIOD
4.)Tombs

Treasury of Atreus, Mycenae

 sometimes known as the Tomb of
Agamemnon,
 largest and best preserved
 consists of a
long passage or
"dromos" (20 ft. broad by 115 ft.long)
GREEK: EXAMPLES
AEGEAN ARCHITECTURE OR
EARLY PERIOD
4.)Tombs

Treasury of Atreus, Mycenae

 sometimes known as the Tomb of
Agamemnon,
 largest and best preserved
 consists of a
long passage or
"dromos" (20 ft. broad by 115 ft.long)
GREEK: EXAMPLES
AEGEAN ARCHITECTURE OR EARLY PERIOD
4.)Tombs
Treasury of Atreus, Mycenae
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE
or HELLENIC PERIOD
5.)Temenos
 A sacred enclosure
surrounding a temple or
other holy spot

Acropolis at Pergamon
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE
or HELLENIC PERIOD
5.)Temenos

Acropolis at Athens
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK
ARCHITECTURE
or HELLENIC
PERIOD
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
Structures at Acropolis, Athens
 Propylaea  Temple of Nike Apteros

 Pinacotheca & Glypthotheca  Old Temple of Athena

 Statue of Athena Promachos  Stoa of Eumeses

 Erectheion  Theater of Dionysus
 Parthenon  Odeion of Herodes
Atticus
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
Structures at Acropolis, Athens
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
Structures at Acropolis, Athens
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE
or HELLENIC PERIOD
Structures at Acropolis,
Athens
a) Temple of Nike
 Architect – Callicrates
 Most exquisite small
Ionic temple dedicated to
" WinglessVictory"
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or
HELLENIC PERIOD
Structures at Acropolis,
Athens
b) Erectheion
 Architect – Mnesicles
 Sculptor – Phidias
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or
HELLENIC PERIOD
Structures at Acropolis,
Athens
b) Erectheion/ Erectheum
 Caryatids - porch was built
to conceal the giant 15-ft
beam needed to support
the southwest corner over
the metropolis
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or
HELLENIC PERIOD
Structures at Acropolis,
Athens
b) Erectheion/ Erectheum
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or
HELLENIC PERIOD
Structures at Acropolis,
Athens
c) Parthenon
 dedicated to the goddess
Athena
 largest Greek Temple
 Architect: Ictinus & Callicrates
 Master Sculptor:Phidias
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or
HELLENIC PERIOD
Structures at Acropolis, Athens
c) Parthenon
a peripteral octostyle Doric
temple with Ionic architectural
features
 stands on a platform or
stylobate of three steps
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or
HELLENIC PERIOD
Structures at Acropolis, Athens
c) Parthenon
 Stylobate
 Stereobate
 Crepidoma
 Euthynteria
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or
HELLENIC PERIOD
6.) Agora
 square city or market place,the
Greek’s political business &
economic life
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
7.)TEMPLES
 chief buildings

 PARTS OF A GREEK TEMPLE

a) Pronaos – the inner portico in front of naos or cella
b) Naos – principal chamber containing the statue of the god or goddess,w/
porticoes & colonnades
c) Epinaos or Opisthodomus – posticum which serves as the treasury
chamber
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
7.)TEMPLES
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE a) Henostyle - one column
or HELLENIC PERIOD b) Distyle - two columns
c) Tristyle - three columns
7.) TEMPLES d) TetraStyle - four columns
TWO WAYS OF e) Pentastyle - five columns
DESCRIBINGTEMPLES: f) Hexastyle - six columns
(rectangular) g) Heptastyle - seven columns
 According to the number of h) Octastyle - eight columns
columns on the entrance front. i) Enneastyle - nine columns
j) Decastyle - ten columns
 By the arrangement of the k) Dodecastyle - twelve columns
exterior columns of the temple
in relation to naos
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE  IN ANTIS – temples that have one to four
columns between antae at the front.
or HELLENIC PERIOD  AMPHI-ANTIS – temples that have one to
four columns between antae at the front and
7.)TEMPLES rear.
TWO WAYS OF  PROSTYLE – temples that have a portico of
columns at front.
DESCRIBING TEMPLES:
 AMPHI-PROSTYLE – temples that have a
(rectangular) portico of columns at the front & rear.
  PERIPTERAL – temples that have single
line of columns surrounding the naos.
 PSEUDO-PERIPTERAL – temples that have
flanked of cols. Attached to the naos wall.
 DIPTERAL – temples that have a double
line of columns surrounding the naos.
 PSEUDO-DIPTERAL – temples are like the
last, but the inner range of columns is omitted
on the flanks of the naos.
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
7.)TEMPLES
GREEK: CLASSICAL MOULDINGS
Intercolumniation: spacing between the columns
 Pycnostyle – 1.5 dia
 Systyle – 2 dia
 Eustyle – 2.25 dia
 Diastyle – 3 dia
 Areaostyle – 4 dia
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or
HELLENIC PERIOD
8.) STOA
 covered walkways or porticos,
commonly for public usage
 early stoas were open at the
entrance with columns,usually
of the Doric order, lining the
side of the building; they
created a safe, enveloping,
protective atmosphere
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or
HELLENIC PERIOD
9.) PRYTANEION
 a senate house for the chief
dignitaries of the city
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or
HELLENIC PERIOD
10.) BOULEUTERION
 council house
 covered meeting place of
the democratically elected
councils
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
11.)THEATER
 for plays
 an open air structure, which consisted of orchestra, auditoriumor
cavea out of the slope of hillside, in or near city
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or
HELLENIC PERIOD
11.)THEATER

Theater of Epidaurus
 most beautiful example &
well preserved building
 Architect:Polycleitus
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
11.) ODEION
 for music
 carved or hollowed out of the hillside
 acoustically-efficient

Odeion of Herodes
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
12.) STADIUM
 sports arena
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
13.) HIPPODROME
 chariot race arena
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
14.) PALAESTRA
 wrestling school
GREEK: EXAMPLES
GREEK ARCHITECTURE or HELLENIC PERIOD
14.) GYMNASIA
 exercise court
GREEK: CLASSICAL ORDERS
A.) DORIC ORDER
 simpliest & the earliest among the 5
orders
 Without base, directly on crepidoma
 Height (including capital): 4 to 6 times the
diameter at the base
 Divided into 20 shallow flutes separated
by arrises 3 main divisions:
 Doric capitals had two parts - the square  Architrave: principal beam
abacus above and circular bulbous of 2 or 3 slabs in depth
echinus below  Frieze
 Cornice,mouldings
GREEK: CLASSICAL ORDERS
B.) IONIC ORDER
 volute or scroll capital (derived from
Egyptian lotus and Aegean art)
 More slender than Doric
 Needed a base to spread load
 Height: 9 times the base diameter
 Has 24 flutes separated by fillets Two parts:
 Upper and lower torus  Architrave, with fascia
 Cornice
 No frieze
GREEK: CLASSICAL ORDERS
C.) CORINTHIAN ORDER
 Decorative variant of Ionic Order

 Base and shaft resembled Ionic

 More slender

 Height of 10 diameters

 Capital invented by Callimachus, inspired

by basket over root of acanthus plant 3 parts:
 Architrave
 Frieze
 Cornice, developed type
with dentils
GREEK: CLASSICAL ORDERS
GREEK: CLASSICAL
ORDERS
GREEK: CLASSICAL
ORDERS
GREEK: CLASSICAL MOULDINGS