The temple architecture of ancient Greece and Rome, and how they reflected the structure of the societies from which they emerged.
The temple architecture of ancient Greece and Rome, and how they reflected the structure of the societies from which they emerged.
Jack Lehane Year 1
(1200 – 1500 words) 7th of January, 2013
Most of the remaining examples of ancient Greek architecture are in the form of temples, built to honour their gods, and have decorated exteriors but rather plain interiors. Few other examples remain as other structures were typically made of wood, plaster and mud and, as such, did not survive the test of time.
The temples were usually constructed of limestone and marble.1 Of post and lintel construction, these temples were typically rectilinear, and often supported by columns. These columns can be divided into three respective orders; Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, with each having their own specific attributes.2 The Greeks favoured the Doric and Ionic for their clean lines.
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_5526113_compare-contrast-greek-roman-architecture.html
2. Henri Stierlin, Greece; From Mycenae to the Parthenon, Taschen Press, First Edition, 2001. p. 52
The first attempt to establish a sanctuary for the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos in the Athenian Acropolis, Athens, now known as the older, or Pre-Parthenon, was destroyed by the Persians shortly after the Battle of Marathon, around 480 BCE. The intent of the present structure was to eradicate any humiliation associated with the Persian invasion and sack of Athens, suggesting a certain strength in society at the time.3
Built from 447 - 432 BCE, the Parthenon has been described as “a marble beacon from the past, the monument of all monuments.”4 Twenty-two-thousand tons of marble had been quarried by the time the temple was finished. Brought down from
Mount Pentelicus, it was then transported ten miles on oxen-drawn carts to Athens.5
The Parthenon was regarded in its prime as the finest example of a Doric temple, due mainly to the refinement of already well established aspects of appeal.6
Typically,
Jack Lehane Year 1
(1200 – 1500 words) 7th of January, 2013
Most of the remaining examples of ancient Greek architecture are in the form of temples, built to honour their gods, and have decorated exteriors but rather plain interiors. Few other examples remain as other structures were typically made of wood, plaster and mud and, as such, did not survive the test of time.
The temples were usually constructed of limestone and marble.1 Of post and lintel construction, these temples were typically rectilinear, and often supported by columns. These columns can be divided into three respective orders; Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, with each having their own specific attributes.2 The Greeks favoured the Doric and Ionic for their clean lines.
1. http://www.ehow.com/how_5526113_compare-contrast-greek-roman-architecture.html
2. Henri Stierlin, Greece; From Mycenae to the Parthenon, Taschen Press, First Edition, 2001. p. 52
The first attempt to establish a sanctuary for the Greek goddess Athena Parthenos in the Athenian Acropolis, Athens, now known as the older, or Pre-Parthenon, was destroyed by the Persians shortly after the Battle of Marathon, around 480 BCE. The intent of the present structure was to eradicate any humiliation associated with the Persian invasion and sack of Athens, suggesting a certain strength in society at the time.3
Built from 447 - 432 BCE, the Parthenon has been described as “a marble beacon from the past, the monument of all monuments.”4 Twenty-two-thousand tons of marble had been quarried by the time the temple was finished. Brought down from
Mount Pentelicus, it was then transported ten miles on oxen-drawn carts to Athens.5
The Parthenon was regarded in its prime as the finest example of a Doric temple, due mainly to the refinement of already well established aspects of appeal.6
Typically,
Bibliography: 1. Henri Stierlin, Greece; From Mycenae to the Parthenon, Taschen Press, First Edition, 2001. p. 50 2 3. Leland M. Roth, Understanding Architecture; Its Elements, History, and Meaning, Westview Press, Second Edition, 2007. p. 239, fig. 11.27 4 5. Patrick Nuttgens, The Story of Architecture, Phaidon Press, Second Edition, 2004. p. 97, fig. 105 6 7. A. W. Lawrence, Greek Architecture, Yale University Press, Fifth Edition, 1996. p. 120, fig. 187 8 9. William L. MacDonald, The Pantheon; Design, Meaning and Progeny, Harvard University Press, Second Edition, 2002. p. 39, fig. 37 10 11. Joseph Rykwert, The Dancing Column; On Order in Architecture, The MIT Press, First Edition, 1999 Press, Second Edition, 2002. p. 31, fig. 28 16 Press, Second Edition, 2002. p. 26 17 Press, Second Edition, 2002. p. 21 18.Leland M Westview Press, Second Edition, 2007. p. 260p