the

Classica
l Orders
2
nd
July 2010
History of Architecture
Greek Architecture

Phase I (800 400 BC)

Growth
Search for plan and forms
Regulation of the Classical discipline

Phase II (Hellenistic)

Development of architecture encouraged
Modification of the classical forms and structures
Evolution of Hellenistic architecture ended with the Roman
and the Western world
A more restricted framework: that of cities
Town planning philosophy based on building types:
religious, civic, private, etc




History of Architecture
Hellenistic Architecture

Development of the vault (hemispherical) and arcade (the arch the
monumental gateways)
Engaged orders in decorative compositions
A princely an monarchical architecture
Favored the use of the Ionic style
Doric remained the order of the stoas
Welcomed the introduction of the Corinthian order
Spans of colonnades were widened and supports heightened a
pictorial effect to accentuate the decorative value of the facades and
the interiors
A new aesthetic approach based on a system of mathematical
relations and proportions
History of Architecture
About 8 century B.C. in classical Greece,
post and lintel architecture was artistically
refined beyond structural needs.
Process of transition from wood to
stone. If we see carefully most of
remains of monuments are
recognizably derived from a wooden
counterpart.
History of Architecture
A classical format: colonnade
supporting horizontal entablature
made up with three main parts
respectively architrave, frieze and
top known as cornice. The capitals
of columns are a principle mean in
distinguishing one order from other.
Early structures: the early Greek
buildings were temples, a box like
structure with colonnade of the
Doric or Ionic orders (to give
dignity) where length was double
the width. Naos a windowless
chamber for deity with a great (or
pair of ) doors, surrounded with
colonnade, which served as a
pathway. They also support tiled
roof and a pediment (the front
central part for decoration)
The other architectural element to
mention is anta or antae = a design
of a column on the end of wall. The
plan of anta became rectangular than
circular.
The order later became an element for
decoration, originally it were structural
element.
History of Architecture
Doric order was extremely heavy
but as knowledge of capacities of
stone developed the order became
progressively lighter. However Doric
has hardly changed from first to
last.

The Greek Doric order of classical
time never became so slender to
require a base for a column. A
column shaft tapered upwards. The
shaft ornamented with vertical
shallow flutes (usually 16 or 20)
which meet one other on a sharp
edge.

The capital has two main simple
parts abacus square on plan
supported on a rounded echinus.
The distinguish feature of Doric
entablature are deep plain
architrave, a large triglyph blocks in
the frieze and a continuous series of
shallow wide mutules in the
cornice.

The triglyphs = vee shaped vertical
groves reflecting the upward trend
of the flutes of the column.
The finest Greek instances of
orders found in Athens and vicinity.
History of Architecture
Ionic order: On the other side Ionic was
more slender. A female order. In case of
ionic order only columns were made in
stone while entablature used to be in
wood so that no extra burden of weight
was thrown on to column and they could
remain slender.

Ionic had two main parts architrave and
cornice. In the middle of 6
th
c. BC
wooden entablature turned into stone.
Though none of the illustrations shown
the two parts entablature. Because of
slenderness the ionic column invariably
has a moulded base.

The ionic shaft fluted and flutes are
deeper and the normal is 24 (against 20
of the Doric). And instead of meeting on
a sharp edge they are separated by a
small plain band called fillet. The
capitals are elaborated with scrolls. The
front and back faces are identical while
on the sides the volute cushion is seen.

The dentil is tooth like projection
appears in band.
Bed moulding an important element
above and beneath dentils band.
History of Architecture
The Ionic order relieved the
severity of the more monumental
and sober Doric order.
Close ties between the sculptors
and architects
Ionic style found more appropriate
to tall proportions, mixing of styles
introduced

Western Greece (Sicily & South Italy):
remained loyal to the Doric style
Mainland Greece: proportions robust
but not massive, entablature lightened
by a mixture of materials stone &
terracotta, pediment begins its
sculptural role
History of Architecture
Tuscany Plans (quite identical to
Greek ones)

Terracotta-tiled roof at Tuscany
The Etruscans maintained their association with Greece and their own methods
of construction based on the influences from ancient Greece and national
(Italian) principles. However during Etruscans times this order never been
wholly translated in stone. Alike Greek Ionic masonry columns supported
wooden entablature protected and decorated with terracotta slabs. Tuscan was
truly authentic example but nonexistent in antiquity. It was always regarded as
Doric with certain elements omitted. This order was recognized as a separate
order during 15th 16th century A.D. by Italian renaissance architect writers.
The first century Vitruvius however speaks of timber for the entablature and
stone for the columns.
Tuscan order: Tuscan is nothing more than simplified
Roman Doric. The earliest known remains date from 8th
century B.C. or earlier maybe 9th century when colonists
from Lydia (from Asiamanor, Greece) settled in Etruria, a
state corresponding with the modern town of Tuscany.
History of Architecture
The Corinthian order is similar
to the Ionic except in the form
of the capital. Its
characteristic feature is the
acanthus leaves which
enclose the circular body of
the capital, with tendrils
reaching up to the corners of
the concave architrave. This
order was much favored
under the Roman Empire.
History of Architecture
Roman Empire 27B.C. 330 A.D.
Roman architecture is ornate, bold
and grandiose, when compared with
Greeks. Even the materials were
much showiness.

The Romans absorbed Greek
architectural tradition and continued
with modification firstly to their
Etruscan heritage and secondly
their own constructional and
inventive genius.

In Greek order there were two major
parts columns and entablature and
a column usually standing upon a
flight of few steps. While in roman
period a column were raised upon a
high platform known as podium or
pedestal (though not always present
but very frequent)
Development of use of arch (Greeks
knew but rarely used)
Height of column was defined as Doric
8, ionic 9 and correnthian10 (in
diameter). Entablature was common no
matter what the order was. And it was
or 1/5th of the height of the column.
History of Architecture
On the contrary to greek orders, the
columns of the lighter orders carried
heavier entablatures. Even the material
was very showy. Use of Italian colored
marble for column shafts. And to display
the fine quality of marble, the flutes
were omitted.

used columns in couples, in groups or
they were placed alternately at wide and
narrow intervals. The Significant use
was that the orders were used in tiers,
one above another.
Composite Romans devised yet another
order, composite. Completing a full
historical total of five. Though until
renaissance it wasnt settled about what
its proper components were to be.

In roman times a composite order was
just like its name. An assemblage of
elements which were already in use as
part of one or other order. The
distinguished feature was its capital, a
combination of Ionic scrolled volutes with
the lower foliated parts of the Corinthian
capital. a column base was alike
Corinthian composite came in action in
later 1st century A. D. and the earliest
example was the arch of Titus, A.D. 82.