Ancient Greek Architecture Flashcards
Lowermost horizontal beam of the classical entablature; typically rests directly on top of capitol
Architrave
Uppermost part of column; design on the capitol usually determines style of architecture
Capitol
Column in the form of a female figure; common
Caryatid
Decorative shaft, usually made of stone, having a capital and base; used to help provide support for roof
Column
Molded projection that crowns or frames the pediment; lip that sticks out
Cornice
The part of a classical temple which encompasses the architrave, frieze, and cornice of the structure (usually includes capital)
Entablature
Grooves incised into the surface of a column; like on a pie
Fluting
Horizontal band between the cornice and the architrave that is sculpted; in Doric architecture, it is divided into the metope and triglyph
Frieze
Part of Doric frieze that can be a flat surface, but usually sculpted with images; recessed areas between triglyphs
Metope
Base or platform on which a column rests; also called a plinth
Pedestal
Low gable (triangular portion of a wall between the edges of a sloping roof) that is sculpted
Pediment
Step on which a column, or series of columns, rests; “floor” of temple
Stylobate
Part of a Doric temple that is a projecting block containing 3 parallel vertical grooves
Triglyph
Design applied to top part of Ionic capital; composed of swirls; often referred to as a “snail” design or “ram’s horns”
Volute
Architecture design that began in Doria where the column rests directly on the stylobate
Doric
Oldest architecture style featuring a plain or “manly” capital
Doric
Doric frieze is divided into…
Metope and triglyph
Architecture style that began in Ionia and is taller than Doric style
Ionic
Architecture style that uses volute (swirl) designs
Ionic
Architecture style in which the frieze is one singular sculpted work; not divided
Ionic
Architecture style that is considered more feminine than Doric but not as feminine as Corinthian; column rests on a pedestal
Ionic
Architecture style that began in Corinth; greatly used during the Roman era
Corinthian
Architecture style in which the capital designed with leaves and vines; sometimes with flowers
Corinthian
Architecture style in which column rests on pedestal; considered the most feminine of the classical architecture styles
Corinthian
Slanted roof style
Doric and Ionic
Typically flat roof style
Corinthian
Most famous of the Doric temples is the Parthenon; found on the Acropolis of Athens
Doric Temple
Only part of the temple that was roofed; houses major gods/goddess
Cella
Ictinus and Callicrates
Architects of the Parthenon
Begun in 447, completed in 438 BC; dedicated to Athena
Parthenon
Partially destroyed due to explosion of ammunition which was being stored in building
Parthenon
Columns tapered, columns lean, cornice is sloped, frieze tilts forward, floor slightly convex
Optical illusions of the Parthenon (created to appear balanced)
Most famous building on the Acropolis
Erectheum
Dedicated to legendary hero Erichthonius who is said to be buried in the area
Erectheum
Build on a slope, which accouns for the different levels of the temple
Erectheum
Dedicated to the goddess Athena and the god Poseidon; built between 421 - 407 BC
Erectheum
Most famous part of the Erechtheum; columns are caryatids (6, all different from one another)
Porch of the maidens
Temple of Hera, built in 550 BC and Temple of Poseidon, built in 440 BC
Other Geek temples
Sea nymphs
Nerieds
Built for Erbinna, ruler of southwest Turkey; built between 390-380 BC, Ionic
Nereid Monument
