Classical Orders in Architecture

Classical Orders in Architecture

• Doric Order: Simplest Greek style; features unadorned columns without a base.
• Ionic Order: Characterized by fluted columns, capitals with spiral volutes, and large bases.
• Corinthian Order: Most ornate style; includes a base, fluted columns, and decorative leaf carvings on the capital.

Architectural Elements

• Pediment: Triangular upper part of a temple adorned with sculptures.
• Cornice: Projecting molding above columns or pillars.
• Frieze: Broad horizontal band of sculpted or painted decoration typically found near the ceiling.
• Entablature: Continuous horizontal structure supported by columns, consisting of architrave, frieze, and cornice.
• Architrave: Plain lintel at the bottom of the entablature.
• Column: Upright pillar, often cylindrical, that supports arches, entablatures, or stands alone.

Column Details

• Column Shaft: Vertical portion of a column between the base and capital.
• Entasis: Slight convex curve in the column shaft, correcting visual illusions of concavity.
• Fluting: Series of shallow vertical grooves on the column shaft.
• Capital: Top part of an Ionic column, decorative and functional.
• Volute: Spiral scroll-like form found on Ionic and Composite capitals.

Ornamentation and Motifs

• Rosette: Rose-like ornamentation, often used as a badge of office or honor.
• Acanthus Leaf: Decorative motif seen on Corinthian columns.
• Base: Bottom part of Corinthian columns.

Temple Architecture

• Anta Temple: Refers to posts or pillars adjacent to temple doorways.
• Double Anta: Pillars located at the front and back of the temple, enhancing symmetry.
• Tholos: Ancient Greek circular shrine encircled by columns.

Temple Plans

• Prostyle: Temple layout with columns only at the front, no side or rear columns.
• Amphiprostyle: Temple design featuring four columns at both front and back.
• Dipteral: Double row of colonnades encircling the cella and porches.
• Peripteral: Single row of columns surrounding the entire temple.
• Pseudoperipteral: Engaged columns create the illusion of a peripteral layout.
• Pseudodipteral: Columns suggest a dipteral setup without an inner colonnade.

Foundation and Space

• Podium: Raised platform of the temple, accessed by stairs, typically built from brick and faced with marble or travertine.
• Naos or Cella: Central area of a Greek temple housing the deity's statue.
• Pronaos: Porch area in front of the naos.

Notable Monuments

• Forum of Trajan: Architectural complex in Rome designed by Apollodorus of Damascus, includes a forum and markets built between 106-112 C.E., with the column completed in 113 C.E.
• Column of Trajan: Roman triumphal column erected in 113 C.E. commemorating Emperor Trajan's victories in the Dacian Wars.

Influential Monuments from Victories

• Column of Trajan: Celebrates Trajan's triumphs in Dacian Wars.
• Temple of Castor: Associated with Castor and Pollux, believed to aid the Republic during battle; stands on the site where they supposedly announced the victory.