Greek Temple Research Paper

557 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Greek temple and roman temple

Temples have been built for centuries in dedication to gods for worship and ceremonies. The Greek temples started as simple structures with columns and a porch, and evolved to elaborate sanctuaries. The most famous and well known is the Parthenon. The architects adjusted some elements in temples to make them “appear” perfect to they eye. They curved the entablature upward to avoid the optical illusion of a sag. The columns were made to “swell” in the middle (entasis) reducing the space between the columns which “strengthened the corners.” Elaborate sculptures were once displayed in temples but have since been removed. Three elevation designs called “orders” were developed over time. The three orders are named Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. All …show more content…

The height of the column is five and a half to seven times the diameter of the base. The capital is composed of two sections. The echinus and the abacus, both of which are flat surfaced and void of any three dimensional decoration. The entablature alternates triglyphs and metopes which demonstrates a simpler feel. The pediment may or may not include a waterspout and decoration (acroterion). This architecture was to reflect stability and permanence. An example of Doric order is seen in the Temple of Hera I in Italy and the Temple of Aphaia on …show more content…

The height of this column is nine times the diameter of the base, which results in a longer column. These long columns aren't plain as explained in the Doric style, but instead consist of flutes and flat surfaces called fillets. The capital is quite different than the Doric order, as it demonstrates a volute, which is a spiraled scroll. The entablature has a continual decorated frieze and more detailed molding than the Doric order. This architecture was considered to be more elegant than the Doric order. An example of Ionic order is the north and east porches of the Erechtheion in

Show More
Related

  • Mezquita Vs Cordoba's Pantheon

    221 Words  | 1 Pages

    Although Cordoba’s Mezquita and Rome’s Pantheon share similar architectural qualities, each of these buildings has their own unique characteristics. Cordoba’s Mezquita is an Islamic religious architecture where the community comes together for their daily prayers. Rome’s Pantheon is a temple used as place to display all the gods. A unique feature of the mosque is that some of the arches are horseshoe-shaped, a quality possibly originated from earlier Mesopotamian

    Read More

  • The Newport Coast Structure

    691 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Newport Coast structure is clearly a representation of Roman architecture in general, but more specifically, the sturdy columns and enlarged entablatures are reminiscent of the Tuscan order. Although the simplified columns may at first glance appear to be rather doric in their style, upon closer inspection they prove to be more similar to the less renowned Tuscan order. This in fact, does not diminish the influence the doric temples of Greek architecture had on the Etruscan invention of the Tuscan temple, but rather demonstrates yet again how one culture can inspire another artistically. The Tuscan order refers to "the variation that resembles the doric order, with an unfluted shaft and a simplified base, capital, and entablature" (Stokstad, 227). Like architecture of the Tuscan order, the Newport Coast structure's entablature is very plain and geometric in its form. The Tuscan order was originally used by the Etruscans around the time of 700-509 BCE and was later adopted by the Romans. Even though the Newport Coast structure and the Tuscan temple function differently in terms of public use, for the Tuscan temple was used by the Etruscans for religious purposes, their appearances prove to be strikingly similar.

    Read More

  • Architecture: The Pyramids Of Greek And Roman Domes

    574 Words  | 2 Pages

    Thousands of years ago, Greek and Roman architects created rectangular-shaped buildings supported by huge, marble columns. For example, the Parthenon has forty six outer columns and twenty three inner columns. All of these columns come at a price. There is less space in the building and the views through the building are obstructed by the columns. It was not until about 100 A.D that that the Romans did a little experiment with a new concept, arches. These Roman scientists discovered that when you put them together, they form a circular dome. This concept caught on quickly as many ancient architects began to build “domes”. They found that making a dome created more space because there were no columns involved. Without the columns, the arches provided unobstructed space that is more appealing to those u...

    Read More

  • Pantheon and Hagia Sophia

    873 Words  | 2 Pages

    Pantheon and Hagia Sophia Pantheon and Hagia Sophia are two extremely outstanding architectural pieces of their times. They have been built according to the traditions of those particular times. The materials used to built these buildings and the purpose for which they were used are all very important aspects and have been briefly covered in this report. Pantheon The statesman Agrippa built pantheon in 27 B.C. Then it was completely rebuilt by the emperor Hadrian. The Pantheon is remarkable for its size, its construction, and its design. The dome was the largest built until modern times. The present structure was probably originally built as a temple for all the pagan gods. We do hear of it as being a law-court and a reception area for Emperor Hadrian meeting his quests too. Some say that the rotunda of the building was once a Roman bath. Due to all this mystery, the Pantheon is often referred to as the Sphinx of Rome. The visitor will probably not appreciate the construction as much as the Flavian amphitheatre, but it is still a great masterpiece of engineering and well worth a visit. Most Roman and Greek temples at the time of the Pantheon's construction were large, colonnaded, rectangular enclosures with sanctuaries situated in their centers. The Pantheon was different. It consisted of a large circular drum topped with a hemispherical dome. It is a masterpiece of both engineering and art a lasting memory of Ancient Rome’s might. Roman architecture is architecture of wall and enclosed tactile space. Individual column with entablature is no longer the basic architectural unity. Spatially, it shows a development from closed, simple space units and regular articulation to more complex spatial relations, more fluid interpenetrati...

    Read More

  • Greek Art Research Paper

    1090 Words  | 3 Pages

    In my thesis essay topic I will discuss how art in the Greek culture has change drastically since making it first appearance, in my essay topic I hope to showcase knowledgeable information on the subject while providing supporting details. This topic was interesting to me because beforehand even though I have taken many art classes, this class gave me a little more insight to the world of art and has influence my taste since traveling. I am amaze at how much Greek art has influence modern day culture. Greek culture has also paved the way for many other forms of culture forms and exhibits. So what did this essay mean to me? It was away for me to study and review what I thought was most significant about Greek times and the art pieces that stood out to me the most. I also like that I get to get my personal reflection on key pieces that lead to the new era of classical and non-classical art. In my essay, I will show how ancient Greece was a very unique culture that went through great efforts to produce high class art.

    Read More

  • Greek Influences on Western Civilization

    340 Words  | 1 Pages

    Grecian architecture formed its own conventions in the ancient world, buildings in Greece were built with meticulous mathematic design. Great buildings were believed to be symmetrical, and perfectly proportioned [Document 7]. Another prominent aspect of ancient Greek architecture is the extensive use of columns. There were three basic types used, Doric which were plain capitals, ionic in which the capitals were fashioned after ram’s horns, and Corinthian which were made to mirror acanthus leaves.

    Read More

  • Greek Architecture And Architecture In Ancient Greek Temples

    684 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Doric style is rather sturdy and its top (the capital), is plain. This style was used in mainland Greece and the colonies in southern Italy and Sicily.

    Read More

  • Comparing Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman Architecture

    1128 Words  | 3 Pages

    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).

    Read More

  • Baroque Vs Italian Baroque Art

    1519 Words  | 4 Pages

    The Italian Architects of the seventeenth century faced a huge volume of orders to carry out. The most required orders were churches. (Bazin 15) When Urban VIII became pope he asked Bernini to design a baldachino, also known as a canopy, to define the altar area. Bernini built something that was half sculpture and half architecture that had four columns that were very detailed. The columns were designed with spiraling grooves and vines made of bronze. The spiraling and decorative effects were made to symbolize the union of the new and Old Testaments, the vine of the Eucharist climbing the columns of the temple of Solomon. The Eucharist was the Christian ceremony commemorating the Last Supper. The elements of the Ionic and Corinthian orders are at the top of the columns. Angels are along the entablatu...

    Read More

  • The Architectural Evolution of the Greek Temple

    1447 Words  | 3 Pages

    The end of the Geometric period resulted in the beginning of the Orientalizing Period, dated between 700-600 BC. Within this time frame, Greek introduced a new innovation, the Peripteral Temple. For many years prior, a row of colonnade was used on the interior primarily to hold up the roof of the building. In contrast, columns are seen being used on the outside, creating a visual wall around the building exposing parts of the interior. With in the temple existed the megaron style, carried forward from Bronze Age homes. It was also in eastern influenced period, the first real stone temples, and terra cotta roof tiles came to exist to hold the weight on these new stone temples. The population grew drastically, introducing new techniques and styles, which blended to form designs with balance and symmetry. It was during this period, two major Greek designs were developed, the Ionic and Doric order. (Pedley, 2012: pg. 180) The Doric order, being the first and most simple, consisted of baseless columns placed closely together as the Greeks did not know how much weight the shortened columns could hold. Reason behind this was the lack of length in the columns were believed to hold less weight and therefore forced into being placed closer together. This closely set arrangement created a very bold statement in the Doric temple. The Capital, which sat on top of the concaved shaped shaft, was left plain but when grouped alongside others, suggested a bold harmony. In contrast, the Ionic order was less bulky and more delicate than the Doric order. The top of the capital is decorated with two scrolls, also known as volutes, which could have resembled a shell or animal horns. Above the capital, held room for a surrounding frieze depictin...

    Read More

  • Maison Carruee Research Paper

    796 Words  | 2 Pages

    Temple of Hephaestus is an ancient Greek temple that its façade consists of six Doric columns and ten metopes showing the labors of Herakles. Metopes is an architectural element that fills the spaces in between the triglyphs, metopes are rectangular decorative which usually have painting or sculptures. The temple has its pediment , entablature where the metopes are, Doric capital , column shaft and stylobates. Rectangular ground plan, surrounded by Doric peripteral hexastyle columns which means It has single row of six columns on its façade and 13 single columns on the sides.

    Read More

  • Essay On The Temple Of Karnak

    682 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Temple of Amon, containing a collection of buildings within itself, is the largest temple located at The Great Temple of Karnak, known virtually as a city within a city. Built in a number of successive stages and directed by the priests of Amun, the construction of The Temple of Amon began during the Middle Kingdom around 1525 B.C.E. Although numerous renovations were made according to the reigning of different kings, the completed temple stood at 380 meters long and 100 meters across, surrounded by a mud-brick wall 600 meters by 750 meters. The temple’s famous elaborate features include an avenue of ram-headed sphinxes leading to the first of the ten pylons, four courtyards, and a hypostyle hall known as, The Great Hypostyle Hall of The Temple of Karnak. The temple functioned not only as a religious sanctuary, but also as shelter to workmen, cattle, orchards, boats and workshops along with serving as a social and economic center.

    Read More

  • Evolution of the Temple-Palaces in Mesopotamia

    2263 Words  | 5 Pages

    ...re that was most unique to the Early Dynastic period was the oval enclosure with a centralized platform to lend stability to the shrine. Storage were found near the enclosure. The Temple Oval at Khafaje best exemplifies the unique formation of the oval enclosure in the temples. This enclosure had a double perimeter wall present which was highly unusual for enclosures. Another oval temple was found that Tell al Ubaid, which had a rectangular platform in the center. In the front of this platform there were elaborate decorations, which were belived to have fallen from the façade of the temple which had stood on the platform. Besides these oval temples there were also plans of temples with a number of single or double roomed shrines, one noteworthy temple is from Tell Chuera in North Syria. This design plan yields a closer resemblance to the west and megaron buildings.

    Read More

  • Greek Architecture

    2000 Words  | 4 Pages

    ...on. It is important to understand the history and mechanics of Greek architecture in order to fully appreciate it. The ancient Greeks were very well known for their beautiful temples. They were able to devise several different ways to create beautiful buildings and implement those designs. The ancient Greeks set the architectural foundations for the rest of the world with their three orders. The three styles, or orders, are the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian. The three distinctive styles are referred to as orders because they display proportionate, ordered, and coordinated parts. The Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders serve a functional purpose, as well as lend so much beauty to structures. “All the world’s culture culminated in Greece, and Greece in Athens, all Athens in its Acropolis, all the Acropolis in the Parthenon” (Nardo, 61).

    Read More

  • Compare And Contrast Greek And Roman Art

    2107 Words  | 5 Pages

    Both the Greeks and the Romans dedicated their temples to the gods, however, unlike temples today that are used for congregation, Greek and Roman temples were used differently. Greek temples were used as the home of a certain deity and as a place to worship the specific god that was housed there. The Romans used temples to praise a god for military victory or for a politician to show his increase of wealth and status by commissioning the construction of a temple. Roman Temples were also often used as a meeting place for people to express a multitude of social and political concerns whereas the Greek temples were typically used by one person at a time. Within the cella of both the Greek and Roman temples was an altar dedicated to the gods. The Greeks used elements from their temple design in the creation of these altars, and Romans sometimes modeled their sarcophagi after this design. The Sarcophagus of Lucius Cornelius Scipio Barbatus from his tomb on the Via Appia from 200 B.C.E depicts the elements that the Romans borrowed from Greek temples. It is a mixture of two styles of Greek temple, Ionic and Doric. The Ionic style can be seen in the curves on the lid whereas the Doric style is depicted in the squares on the side of the sarcophagus, where each of the vertical lines of the square is a set of columns. This shows not only Greek

    Read More

More about Greek Temple Research Paper

Open Document