Comparing Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman Architecture

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The two ancient civilizations of ancient Greece and Rome were the best of the best during their time periods. Ancient Greece began around 2000 B.C. by the inhabitants known as the Mycenaean’s, followed by the Minoans. The Minoans built the foundation of Greece. The Roman Empire was founded around 753 B.C. by the two twins, Romulus and Remus. Romulus ended up killing Remus and built the city of Rome on one of seven rolling hills. Architecture was very important to both civilizations and they were always trying to out due the other. The architectural style of the Ancient Greeks and Romans was overall constructed and used differently.

The ancient Greeks developed a system of orders which were known as columns. There were three different types of columns and each had they own special twist, both structurally and appearance wise. The three orders consisted of the Doric order, Ionic order and the Corinthian order. One shocking fact was that the Romans used the Corinthian columns more than the Greeks did and they were the one that came up with them. Each order could be found in many different parts of ancient Greece. The columns were put into use by creating ancient temples. Since Greek life was mainly focused around religion, their temples were very big and beautiful (“Ancient Greece” 1).

The Doric order were rather sturdy and the top of the column was very plain. The Doric order was mainly seen in the mainland of Greece and in colonies in Southern Italy and Sicily. The Ancient Greeks were not the only ones to use the Doric order. A very famous building, that the Doric order column was used to construct the Parthenon. The Parthenon is actually a temple to dedicate the Goddess Athena. The Parthenon was built around the 5th century B....

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...ity Press, 2008. Web. 9 May 2010.

“Architecture in Ancient Greece”. Heilbrunn Timeline of Art History. The Metropolitan c Museum of Art, 2003. Web. 9 May 2010.

O’Sullivan, Patrick. "Architecture and the Late Republic." World Eras, Vol. 3: Roman Republic and Empire, 264 B.C.E.-476 B.C.E. John T. Kirby, ed. Gale Group, 2001. Reproduced in History Resource Center. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale. 9 May 2010.

“Roman Architecture Exploits the Arch, C. 100 B.C. “DISCovering World History. Online edition. Gale, 2003. Reproduced in History Resource Center. Farmington Hills, MI: Gale. 9 May 2010.

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