greek ARCHITECTURE Flashcards
What are the three main architectural orders of Classical Greek architecture?
Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian.
What was the primary purpose of Greek temples?
To house statues of gods and serve as a place for worship and offerings.
What materials were commonly used in Greek architecture?
Marble and limestone.
What was the typical layout of a Greek temple?
A rectangular floor plan with a colonnade (peristyle) surrounding the structure.
What are the main characteristics of the Doric order?
No base, fluted columns, plain capitals, and triglyphs and metopes on the frieze.
What is a triglyph?
A rectangular block with three vertical grooves, part of the Doric frieze.
How does the Doric column taper?
It becomes narrower towards the top, a technique called entasis.
What are the defining features of the Ionic order?
Volutes (scroll-like decorations) on capitals, slender columns, and a base.
Name a famous example of Ionic architecture.
The Temple of Athena Nike in Athens.
What is the key difference between Doric and Ionic friezes?
Ionic friezes are continuous and often decorated with relief sculptures, while Doric friezes have alternating triglyphs and metopes.
What kind of influence did the Ionic order have?
It was widely used in Asia Minor and influenced Roman architecture.
What distinguishes the Corinthian order from the other Greek orders?
Corinthian
Elaborate capitals with acanthus leaves and scrolls.
Where was the Corinthian order most commonly used?
Corinthian
In the late Classical and Hellenistic periods, and later widely adopted by the Romans.
Name a famous example of Corinthian architecture.
Corinthian
The Temple of Olympian Zeus in Athens.
What is an entablature in Greek architecture?
KEY FEATURES
The horizontal structure supported by columns, consisting of the architrave, frieze, and cornice.
