Greek Architecture Overview and Temple Structure

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Questions and Answers

What is the purpose of entasis in classical architecture?

To support a decorative frieze

To enhance the strength of the columns

To create a visual illusion of straightness (correct)

To prevent water accumulation

Which characteristic distinguishes the Ionic Order from the Doric Order?

Presence of a flat capital

Shorter columns

Absence of flutes

Use of a continuous frieze (correct)

What is a modillion in classical architecture?

A type of triangular gable

A decorative motif in the frieze

An ornamental element found at the base of columns

An ornamental bracket used beneath a cornice (correct)

Which term describes the small drop-like projections carved below a triglyph in a Doric entablature?

Gutta Signup and view all the answers

What does the egg-and-dart molding consist of?

Alternating egg-shaped figures and arrow heads Signup and view all the answers

Which architectural feature is described as a triangular gable above a facade?

Pediment Signup and view all the answers

What is found between two triglyphs on a Doric frieze?

Metope Signup and view all the answers

What is an echinus in classical architecture?

A convex molding below a capital Signup and view all the answers

What architectural feature serves as the head or crowning feature of a column?

Capital Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following describes the Doric Order of columns?

Fluted columns with plain saucer-shaped capitals Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a caryatid in architecture?

To replace a column in order to support an entablature Signup and view all the answers

What function does the cornice serve in classical architecture?

It is a decorative molded projection at the top of a wall. Signup and view all the answers

What is the most distinctive feature of the Ionic Order?

Its twin scroll form volutes in the capital Signup and view all the answers

What is a klismos chair characterized by?

Curved legs and an open square seat Signup and view all the answers

Which architectural order is the most ornate?

Corinthian Order Signup and view all the answers

What is considered a feminine characteristic of the Ionic Order?

The tall and slim columns with 24 flutes Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a primary characteristic of the Ionic Order's entablature?

It includes an architrave and a continuous sculpted frieze. Signup and view all the answers

What describes a drop in architectural terminology?

Projections below a triglyph in Doric entablature Signup and view all the answers

What is typically found in the Andron space of a Grecian house?

Common living area for guests and men Signup and view all the answers

Which temple is considered the best example of the Ionic Order?

The Temple of Athena Nike Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the egg-and-dart molding in Ionic architecture?

It features a repetitive pattern of egg-shaped figures and arrowheads. Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of a pediment in classical architecture?

To provide an ornamental feature above a facade or doorway. Signup and view all the answers

What feature is essential for the Ionic Order's columns?

They typically have 24 flutes. Signup and view all the answers

What defines the term 'fret' in classical architectural design?

A decorative design contained within a band, often geometric. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of Greek temples as indicated in the content?

Ceremonial purposes Signup and view all the answers

Which architectural feature is created by columns surrounding the temple?

Peristyle Signup and view all the answers

Which order of columns is characterized by having no base and a simple capital with a round Echinus?

Doric Signup and view all the answers

What unique feature is found in the design of the Parthenon that influences its perceived stability?

Optical refinements Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'Entablature' refer to in Greek temple architecture?

The upper section supported by columns Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the Greek temple design limits variations in its architecture?

Intended ceremonial functions Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic feature distinguishes the Doric order compared to other column styles?

Tapered columns without a base Signup and view all the answers

What is the purpose of the gabled roof in Greek temple architecture?

To mask the end of a pitched roof Signup and view all the answers

What architectural style does the great palace at Aachen exemplify?

Romanesque style Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is most commonly associated with Romanesque design?

Semicircular arches Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary structural challenge of a continuous barrel vault?

It leads to a dark interior due to lack of windows. Signup and view all the answers

What term describes the addition of a large unit at the front end of a basilica church?

Westwork Signup and view all the answers

Which material was primarily used for everyday structures during the Romanesque period?

Wood Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following features is NOT characteristic of Romanesque architecture?

Pointed arches Signup and view all the answers

What was the purpose of vaults in Romanesque architecture?

To provide structural permanence Signup and view all the answers

In which building can the early barrel vault be prominently observed?

Abbey Church of St. Philibert Signup and view all the answers

What architectural feature is referred to as a series of windows located in the upper part of a church?

Clerestory Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics describes the nave of the Church of S.Foy in Conques?

High and narrow in relation to its width Signup and view all the answers

In the Abbaye-aux-Hommes, what is the upper level above the aisles called?

Triforium Signup and view all the answers

What is distinctive about the shape of the plan of the Abbaye-aux-Hommes?

Cruciform Signup and view all the answers

What type of vaulting is described by the division of the square vault into six triangular panels?

Sexpartite vault Signup and view all the answers

What is a key feature of Stave churches found in Scandinavia?

Characterized by wooden semicircular arches Signup and view all the answers

Which component is NOT typically part of the nave architecture in historical churches?

Basilica pattern Signup and view all the answers

The Borgund Church features notable characteristics in its architecture. Which element is specifically mentioned about it?

Colorful interior paintings Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary role of a stylobate in classical architecture?

To support a row of columns Signup and view all the answers

Which architectural feature separates the triglyphs in a Doric frieze?

Ornamental metopes Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes a pilaster from a full column?

A pilaster is a shallow rectangular column Signup and view all the answers

In classical architecture, what is the purpose of the tympanum?

To hold decorative reliefs or sculptures Signup and view all the answers

What is the literal meaning of the term 'Agora'?

A gathering place Signup and view all the answers

Which part of a Greek house is typically characterized by an open court?

The atrium Signup and view all the answers

What feature of the Skias served practical purposes in the Agora?

A dining hall and council chamber Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary function of a minaret in Islamic architecture?

To call the faithful to prayer Signup and view all the answers

What materials were primarily used in the construction of Greek houses?

Sunbaked bricks and rough stone Signup and view all the answers

What architectural feature is used to indicate the direction towards Mecca in a mosque?

Mihrab Signup and view all the answers

How many actual columns are present in the audience chamber known as 'The Forty Columns'?

20 Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following mosques features a large triple-aisled prayer hall?

The Great Mosque at Damascus Signup and view all the answers

What is typically found in front of a mosque to facilitate washing before entry?

A pool or fountain Signup and view all the answers

Which feature is not commonly associated with Islamic mosques?

Figurative art Signup and view all the answers

What distinguishes the Mosque of Ibn Tulun's design compared to other mosques?

Its square open court and double arcade Signup and view all the answers

In which historical context was Isfahan made the capital of Persia?

During the Safavid period Signup and view all the answers

What is a defining feature of the Ionic Order's capital?

It is adorned with double scrolls known as volutes. Signup and view all the answers

Which aspect of the Ionic Order emphasizes its elegance compared to the Doric Order?

The intricate moldings and ornamentation. Signup and view all the answers

Which decorative element is commonly found in the entablature of the Ionic Order?

Egg and dart molding. Signup and view all the answers

What structural feature supports the roof in larger Greek temples of the Ionic Order?

Internal rows of columns forming a balcony. Signup and view all the answers

What type of molding describes a convex structure featuring disks and beads?

Bead-and-reel molding. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following best describes the term 'cornice' in classical architecture?

A decorative molded projection at the top of a wall. Signup and view all the answers

What characteristic design distinguishes the pediment in Greek architecture?

It features a low-pitched triangular gable. Signup and view all the answers

Which area in a Greek city served as a central marketplace and meeting area?

Agora. Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Greek Architecture Overview

Greek architecture evolved from the Aegean and Egyptian influences, introduced by the Dorians and Ionians during their migrations and invasions.
Temples became central, reflecting a combination of Aegean architecture with functional and ceremonial designs.

Greek Temple Structure

Characteristics:
- Gabled Roof: Supported by closely spaced columns, typically featuring a triangular gable design.
- Entablature: A decorative band of lintels carved to imply wooden rafters.
- Cella: The temple's inner sanctum, often a single room where deities were worshipped.
- Peristyle: A surrounding colonnade, commonly with six to eight columns at the front.

Column Orders

Doric Order:
- Oldest and simplest design, originating from Dorian peoples, typically without a base, containing a simple capital.
- Tapered columns exhibit slight curvature (Entasis) for visual correction.
- Entablature divided into three parts: Architrave (plain), Frieze (alternating Triglyphs and Metopes), Cornice (projecting top).
- The Parthenon is a key example demonstrating the use of the Golden Ratio (1:1.618) and refinements for aesthetic quality.
Ionic Order:
- Taller and slimmer columns, identifiable by volute scrolls on the capital.
- Considered a more ornate and 'feminine' style compared to Doric.
- Comprehensive entablature design includes an architrave, a sculpted frieze, and decorative cornices.
- The Temple of Athena Nike is a prime representation, showcasing intricate moldings and pediment decorations.

Key Architectural Terms

Abacus: Slab on top of the column capital.
Architrave: The lowest component of the entablature, serving as a lintel.
Capital: The crowning structure of a column.
Caryatid: A sculpted female figure that serves as a column.
Metope: The space between two triglyphs on a Doric frieze.
Dentil: Small blocks used in molding beneath cornices.
Entasis: The optical correction curve in columns to prevent the illusion of concavity.
Fluting: Vertical grooves carved into columns for decoration.
Pediment: Triangular section above a façade, often containing sculptures.

Greek Secular Structures

Design of open-air theaters arranged in a semi-circle around a central stage (orchestra).
Central square (Agora) served as a marketplace and meeting place.
Stoa provided shelter around the Agora.
Domestic spaces included an Oecus for family life, a vestibule for guests, and plain interiors adorned with minimal decoration.

Furniture and Design Elements

Klismos Chair: Wooden chair with outward-curving legs and a webbed seat.
Paintings on ceramics give insights into domestic design, despite a lack of surviving furniture.
Common use of terracotta bathtubs and whitewashed walls in homes.

Additional Terms

Fret: Decorative design with repeated geometric figures.
Cornice: Uppermost part of an entablature, often being a decorative feature.
Raking Cornice: Slopes of a pediment.
Egg-and-dart Molding: Alternating egg shapes and arrowheads for decoration.

Summary

Greek architecture displays a profound evolution from early influences, characterized through distinct column orders, temple designs for worship, and public spaces for community engagement, reflecting both functional and aesthetic ambitions.

Ionic Order

Characterized by tall, slender columns topped with capitals featuring twin scrolls (volutes).
Considered more delicate and ornate compared to Doric architecture, often perceived as feminine.
Developed in the 5th century BC among the Ionians in Asia Minor.
Main features include 24 flutes on columns, molded bases, and entablatures with a sculpted frieze and decorative cornices (egg-and-dart and leaf-and-dart moldings).
Best exemplified by the Temple of Athena Nike on the Acropolis.

Architectural Terms

Volute: A spiral scroll design on Ionic capitals.
Pediment: A triangular gable above facades, often decorated ornamentally.
Cornice: The upper part of an entablature, serving as a decorative projection.
Dentil: Small rectangular blocks used in a series to form a molding under a cornice.
Triglyph: Elements in a Doric frieze consisting of three vertical bands with grooves.
Tympanum: The recessed space within the molding of a pediment.

Ancient Greek Temples and Interiors

Many temples featured a simple internal design, similar to a megaron house, with options for internal columns supporting a mezzanine.
Open-air theatres had semi-circular seating arranged around a circular orchestra, functioning as stage areas.
Agora: The central marketplace within Greek city-states, serving as a gathering and meeting location.
Structures such as the Stoa provided shelter and housed commercial activities along the agora.

Romanesque Architecture

Characterized by massive quality, thick walls, round arches, groin vaults, and decorative arcading.
The Palatine Chapel in Aachen, built by Odo von Metz, showcased Romanesque styles with its octagonal design and elaborate interior.
Romanesque churches often featured a basilican form, with higher, narrow naves topped by barrel vaults.
The Abbey Church of St. Michael in Germany illustrates typical Romanesque features, including a westwork addition.

Scandinavian Architecture

Stave churches in Scandinavia exemplified wooden construction from around 1000 to 1200, with intricate carvings and a small footprint.
Borgund Church and Torpo Church are notable examples of Stave churches featuring semicircular arches and vibrant interiors.

Islamic Architecture

The mosque serves as the central structure for Islamic worship, designed for assembly and prayer led by the Imam.
Key mosque elements include the mihrab (niche indicating the direction of Mecca) and mimbar (pulpit for reading the Koran).
The Great Mosque of Damascus is a prominent example, featuring a central hall with timber-roofed aisles.
The Mosque of Ibn Tulun in Cairo features a rectangular plan centered around an open court and has a distinctive minaret.

Cultural Context

Architectural styles reflect societal values, with the Ionic order symbolizing grace and beauty while Romanesque reflects strength and permanence.
Islamic architectural design focuses on creating communal spaces while adhering to cultural traditions, eschewing figurative art for ornamental abstraction.

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Description

Explore the evolution and characteristics of Greek architecture, influenced by Aegean and Egyptian designs. Learn about the essential elements of Greek temples, including their structures and column orders such as Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian styles.