Compare and contrast Greek and Roman architecture
Greek vs. Roman Architecture
Greek and Roman Architecture are both forms of classical architecture. These two classical architectural influences are closely associated with one another as Greek and Roman civilizations rose following each other. Though they are closely associated with one another they each have their own unique characteristics that help distinguish them from one another.
Ancient Greek architects strove for precision and excellence of workmanship that has influenced the architecture of the past (Herringway 1). Greek architecture is distinguished by its three famous column designs known as the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, which consist of decorated pediments with a focus on symmetry.
The most perfect example of a Doric structure would be the Parthenon (Figure 1), which is a temple dedicated to Athena located on the acropolis in Athens made 2400 years ago. The Doric order was the first style used and can be best described as being simple and structured. The columns consist of no base and have indentations on them. The capitals are composed of two parts, the flat slab which is a square block made from a single piece of marble called an abacus and a cushion-like slab called the echinus (figure 2). The frieze contains alternating trigylphys, which are three bars and metopes, slabs made of stone. The Doric order was mainly seen on the mainland and Italian Peninsula.
The Ionic order contains basses to support the columns and have more vertical indentations than the Doric order. The capitals have two volutes and contain a band of palm-leaf ornaments on the top. The Frieze is the most important feature in the Ionic order which would usually contain a relief sculpture arranged in a pattern that was continuous. This order was much more seen and used with the Greeks in Asia Minor and the Greek Islands.
The last order called the Corinthian developed in the late classical period. The capitals have a bell shaped echinus decorated with leaves, spirals and
Greek and Roman Architecture are both forms of classical architecture. These two classical architectural influences are closely associated with one another as Greek and Roman civilizations rose following each other. Though they are closely associated with one another they each have their own unique characteristics that help distinguish them from one another.
Ancient Greek architects strove for precision and excellence of workmanship that has influenced the architecture of the past (Herringway 1). Greek architecture is distinguished by its three famous column designs known as the Doric, Ionic and Corinthian, which consist of decorated pediments with a focus on symmetry.
The most perfect example of a Doric structure would be the Parthenon (Figure 1), which is a temple dedicated to Athena located on the acropolis in Athens made 2400 years ago. The Doric order was the first style used and can be best described as being simple and structured. The columns consist of no base and have indentations on them. The capitals are composed of two parts, the flat slab which is a square block made from a single piece of marble called an abacus and a cushion-like slab called the echinus (figure 2). The frieze contains alternating trigylphys, which are three bars and metopes, slabs made of stone. The Doric order was mainly seen on the mainland and Italian Peninsula.
The Ionic order contains basses to support the columns and have more vertical indentations than the Doric order. The capitals have two volutes and contain a band of palm-leaf ornaments on the top. The Frieze is the most important feature in the Ionic order which would usually contain a relief sculpture arranged in a pattern that was continuous. This order was much more seen and used with the Greeks in Asia Minor and the Greek Islands.
The last order called the Corinthian developed in the late classical period. The capitals have a bell shaped echinus decorated with leaves, spirals and