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The architecture of Ancient Greece is the architecture produced by the Greek-speaking people (Hellenic people) whose culture flourished on the Greek mainland and Peloponnesus, the Aegean Islands, and in colonies in Asia Minor and Italy for a period from about 900 BC until the 1st century AD, with the earliest remaining architectural works dating from around 600 BC. Ancient Greek architecture is best known for its temples, many of which are found throughout the region, mostly as ruins but many are substantially intact. The second important type of building that survives all over the Hellenic world is the open-air theatre, with the earliest dating from around 350 BC. Other architectural forms that are still in evidence are the processional gateway (propylon), the public square(agora) surrounded by a storied colonnade (stoa), the town council building (bouleuterion), the public monument, the monumental tomb (mausoleum), and the stadium.). Greek architecture influenced Roman architecture and architects in profound ways, such that Roman Imperial architecture adopts and incorporates many Greek elements into its own practice. An overview of basic building typologies demonstrates the range and diversity of Greek architecture.
The classical and archaic periods are referred to as the Hellenic period.
Doric was the earliest and has a square capital and the stoutest proportion, resembling the power of a man.
Ionic was taller in its proportion, has a volute capital, and resembles the proportion of a maiden.
Corinthian has the same characteristics as the Ionic except that its capital is decorated with the Acanthus leaf.
Temples were the principal building types of the Greeks. Temples were considered houses of the Gods and efforts to beautify them pushed architectural development. The evolution of the orders led to standard temple forms based on them.
Examination of Greek architecture points to three common materials of construction:
Stone was the most common construction material for buildings. Greece had an abundant supply of stone, particularly marble. Stone was used for all types of the temple and civic construction. It was used for all types of building elements.
Timber was used mainly for roofing. It was a very scarce commodity and it also had limited length which limited its use. The limitation in length meant that the width of buildings was restricted and only very important buildings such as the Parthenon could go beyond a certain width.
Clay was used mostly in housing construction. Clay was made into sun-dried blocks for use in construction.
It is possible to understand the forces and principles shaping Greek architecture by examining the following issues:
Religion played a significant role in the development of Greek architecture. Architecture started in the service of religion. Temples were the house of the Gods. The search for how to make the temple beautiful resulted in the establishment of Greek ideals of beauty. Greek ideals of beauty were rooted in mathematical proportions.
Greeks developed principles based on their beliefs about aesthetics. These principles were refined over time as they are applied in building. With time they developed into a standard that is widely applied. Builders exerted great effort in ensuring that buildings were created to meet the aesthetic ideals of society. The Greeks in essence became the first society to have well-established ideas about architectural aesthetics with principles for their translation into a physical design.
The Greek ideals of mathematical proportion were applied in architecture using orders. The orders provide a means to codify mathematical proportioning, by linking all the elements of the building with the diameter of the column. The orders were also viewed as anthropomorphic, representing the human body. The use of the orders also provided a means for the Greeks to design buildings to meet their ideals of harmony, balance, and symmetry.
The ancient Greek city-states developed a standard plan for the city. The city consisted of three defined elements: the town, acropolis, and Agora. Principles were developed for organizing each element of the city based on activities and its symbolism.
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