__The Development of Greek Architecture & Architectural Sculpture__

* Archaic Style (600BC-480BC):

This style is influenced by Egyptian technique and custom of art. It differs from Egyptian style because the columns are on the outside of the building or structure. These columns formed a barrier around the naos ( the inner sanctuary) and sometimes had additional columns inside of the temple.

The Orders of Greek Architecture

* Doric Order

The Doric Order has the widest base of all three orders. It has no or almost no decoration at the base or at the top and followed the styles of Classical Greeks. On top of the cornice (the top element of the temple) was the pediment, which crowned the top of the temple. In other architectual orders, the pediment had carvings or designs along the edges, but not in this case. The Doric Order shows a romantic relationship between all the parts of the temple. It shows repitition, logic, and symmetry.

* Ionic Order

The Ionic Order is more graceful. The capital is equipt with flowing lines and decorated in a sophisticated mannor. The shaft of something from the Ionic Order is taller than something from the Doric Order. Also, The fluting that runs vertically is much deeper and narrower.

* Cornithian Order

It is suggested that the Cornithian Order was not around until the later part of the 5th century. There has been nothing found that shows anyone has used the style in earlier temples or complexes. Cornithian columns were used mainly for the interior. They showed femininity and grace and were widely associated with luxury.

Early Classical Style

The Temple of Zeus was constructed around 457 BC. Compared to the Temple of Apollo, the columns are much shorter and the ratio of columns from the front to the sides were also different. In Apollo's Temple, the ratio was 6:15 and in Zeus' the ratio was 6:13. On the east pediment was the narritive relief of a chariot race between Oinomaos, the old king of Pisa, and Pelops. Pelops was a young man who wanted to win the king's daughter. On the west pediment was a battle of the Centaurs (half men/half horse) and the Lapiths. Apollo is standing in the middle with a straight, vertical pose. The metopes were symbolic of the tweleve Labors of Herakles. There were six on the east and six on the west.

The Temple of Zeus was considered the center of athletics and politics. It was very important to the Greeks and they spent much of their time at the temple doing various things.

The Classical Style

Virtual Reconstruction of the Parthenon, Athens

• This stucture was completed as a temple, dedicated to Athena, the patron goddess of Athens. It celebrated the fact that she was a virgin goddess/a parthenos.
• This temple exemplifies balance, proportion, and unity, through the way it was structured.
• This temple played a role in the socail and political apsects of the Athenian culture.
• The columns in the corner of the temple are placed close together, in order to create a sense of stability and order in the structure of the temple. The multiple horizontal lines/columns curve upward toward the middle, creating a sense of elongation in the inner and outer view of the temple.

• This pediment exemplifies the birth of Athena from the head of Zues on Mount Olympus, when he was hit in the head with an axe.
• Important gods and goddesses in this pediment are Zues, Athena, and Dionysos, the god of wine and fertility.

*The East and West Pediments are share similar chracteristics. Both sides have horses; and Dionysos, the male figure on the left, is in the same relaxed pose as the woman on the right.

• Dionysos and the woman on the right share the same "s" shaped curve, which exemplifies a very naturalistic curving of the body, making both images fit within the triangle/the pediment.

*Four battles are represented in the Doric metopes of the Parthenon.

• Each metope strongly depicts Greek superiority, which is seen as an Athenian triumph over the Persians.

The Temple of Athena Nike

• The temple honored Athena, the goddess of victory
• The temple was built to celebrate a military victory, but it is unknown which one
• Housed the original gold statues of Nike
• The best surviving sculpture from the temple is Nike Adjusting Her Sandal

• Originally located on a balustrade of the parapet
• Stands very naturally with a curved torso and diagonal planes in the legs
• Exemplifies the art of "wet drappery" with its elegant folds

The Erechtheum

• A very complex building that was built on an uneven site
• The eastern room was dedicated to Athena in her aspect as patron of the city
• The southern porch is the caryatid porch. The caryatids stand in a very natural contrapposto pose