GREEK ARCHITECTURE

Introduction
Greek civilization, which flourished in the Mediterranean region, has left an indelible
mark on the history of architecture. Their structures, characterized by precision,
proportion, and harmony, continue to inspire and influence contemporary design.

Evolution and Motivating Factors

Precursors
Minoan Civilization (c. 2700-1450 BCE): Located on the island of Crete, the
Minoans were known for their advanced culture, elaborate palaces (like Knossos), and
sophisticated engineering. Their architecture featured the use of columns, vibrant
frescoes, and advanced plumbing systems.
Mycenaean Civilization (c. 1600-1100 BCE): Flourishing on mainland Greece, the
Mycenaeans were a warrior culture. Their architecture was characterized by massive
cyclopean walls, fortified citadels (like Mycenae), and tholos tombs (beehive-shaped
tombs).

Influences
Geography: The landscape of Greece, with its abundant supply of stone (especially
limestone and marble), mountainous terrain, and proximity to the sea, played a
significant role in shaping Greek architecture.
Climate: The Mediterranean climate, with its mild, wet winters and hot, dry summers,
influenced the development of open-air structures, colonnades, and spaces designed
for ventilation and shade.
Religion: Greek religion, with its pantheon of gods and goddesses, was a major
motivating factor. Temples were built to honor deities and house their cult statues.
Political and Social Systems: The development of the polis (city-state) fostered the
construction of public buildings such as agoras (marketplaces), theaters, and council
houses, which served as centers of civic and political life.
Philosophy and Mathematics: Greek philosophers and mathematicians, such as
Pythagoras, emphasized the importance of proportion, symmetry, and harmony in the
universe. These principles were applied to architecture, resulting in buildings that
were considered aesthetically pleasing and intellectually satisfying.
Major Periods and Building Types
Greek architecture is typically divided into the following periods:
Archaic Period (c. 600-480 BCE): This period saw the development of the basic
forms of Greek temples, including the Doric and Ionic orders.
Classical Period (c. 480-323 BCE): Considered the golden age of Greek architecture,
this period witnessed the construction of iconic structures such as the Parthenon in
Athens. The Classical period is characterized by refinement, balance, and the
perfection of the orders.
Hellenistic Period (c. 323-31 BCE): Following the death of Alexander the Great,
Greek culture spread throughout the Mediterranean world. Architecture during this
period became more grandiose and theatrical, with the Corinthian order gaining
prominence.

Building Types
Temples: The most important building type in Greek architecture, temples were
designed to house the cult statue of a deity. They typically featured a rectangular plan,
a colonnade surrounding the central structure (cella or naos), and a triangular
pediment at each end.
Theaters: Open-air structures built into hillsides, theaters were used for dramatic
performances and festivals. They featured a circular or semi-circular orchestra
(dancing area), a stage (skene), and tiered seating (cavea).
Agoras: Public spaces that served as marketplaces, meeting places, and centers of
civic life. Agoras were typically surrounded by colonnades, shops, and public
buildings.
Stadia: Long, open-air tracks used for athletic contests.
Bouleuteria: Council houses where citizens met to discuss and vote on public affairs.
Stoas: Long, colonnaded buildings that provided shelter from the sun and rain. Stoas
were used for a variety of purposes, including commerce, public gatherings, and
philosophical discussions.
Residential Architecture: Greek houses were typically simple, one- or two-story
structures built around a central courtyard.
Patrons
Greek architecture was commissioned by a variety of patrons, including:
City-states (poleis): Public buildings such as temples, theaters, and agoras were often
funded by the city-state as a whole.
Religious organizations: Temples and sanctuaries were maintained by religious
authorities.
Wealthy individuals: Private citizens sometimes commissioned the construction of
monuments, tombs, and other structures.
Rulers: During the Hellenistic period, kings and other rulers sponsored the
construction of grandiose buildings to demonstrate their power and wealth.

Materials
The primary building materials used in Greek architecture were:
Stone: Limestone was readily available and easily worked. Marble, particularly white
marble from quarries such as those at Mount Pentelicus, was highly prized for its
beauty and was used for temples and other important structures.
Wood: Used for structural elements such as roof beams and scaffolding.
Terracotta: Used for roof tiles, ornaments, and decorative elements.

Building Traditions
Post-and-Lintel System: The fundamental structural system used in Greek
architecture, consisting of vertical columns (posts) supporting horizontal beams
(lintels).
Orders: The most distinctive feature of Greek architecture, the orders are a set of
rules and proportions that govern the design of columns and entablatures. The three
main orders are:
Doric: The oldest and simplest order, characterized by a plain capital, a fluted
column, and no base.
Ionic: More slender and elegant than the Doric, the Ionic order features a
voluted capital, a fluted column, and a base.
Corinthian: The most ornate order, the Corinthian features a capital decorated
with acanthus leaves.
Proportions: Greek architects used mathematical ratios and proportions to create
buildings that were considered harmonious and aesthetically pleasing. The concept of
entasis, a slight convex curve in the columns, was employed to counteract the optical
illusion of concavity.
Ornamentation: Greek buildings were often adorned with sculpture, including
friezes, metopes, and pedimental sculpture. These sculptures often depicted
mythological scenes, battles, and other important events.

Structural Innovations
While Greek architecture is primarily known for its aesthetic refinement, it also
incorporated several important structural innovations:
Refinements: Greek architects were aware of optical illusions and incorporated
refinements into their designs to counteract them. For example, columns were often
tapered slightly towards the top (entasis) to make them appear straight.
Use of Iron: Iron clamps and dowels were used to join stone blocks together,
allowing for greater stability and larger spans.
Theaters: The development of the Greek theater, with its sophisticated design for
acoustics and spectator comfort, was a significant achievement.

Other Aspects
Aesthetics: Greek architecture emphasized beauty, harmony, and proportion.
Buildings were designed to be visually pleasing from all angles and to harmonize with
their natural surroundings. The Greeks believed that beauty was not merely a matter
of subjective taste, but was rather an objective quality that could be achieved through
adherence to mathematical principles and careful attention to detail. This emphasis on
objective beauty is evident in the precise measurements and refined forms of their
structures, which were intended to evoke a sense of order and balance. The architects
and builders of ancient Greece sought to create buildings that were not only functional
but also visually stunning, and they achieved this goal through a deep understanding
of geometry, optics, and the principles of design.
Integration of Art: Architecture was closely integrated with sculpture and painting.
Sculptures adorned temples and other buildings, while painted decorations added
color and detail. The sculptures that adorned Greek buildings were not merely
decorative elements; they were an integral part of the overall architectural design,
often conveying important religious or mythological narratives. For example, the
pediments of temples were typically filled with elaborate sculptural compositions that
depicted scenes from the lives of the gods, while the friezes that ran along the upper
walls of the cella often portrayed processions, battles, or other significant events. In
addition to sculpture, Greek buildings were also often adorned with painted
decorations, although much of this paint has been lost to time. However, surviving
fragments and archaeological evidence suggest that Greek buildings were once
brightly colored, with vivid hues used to highlight architectural details and create a
sense of vibrancy.
Influence: Greek architecture has had a profound and lasting influence on Western
architecture. Its principles and forms have been adopted and adapted in countless
buildings throughout history, from Roman structures to Neoclassical monuments to
modern designs. The Greek architectural orders, in particular, have become a
fundamental part of the classical architectural vocabulary, and they continue to be
used in a wide variety of contexts. From the grand columns of government buildings
and museums to the elegant porticos of private residences, the influence of Greek
architecture can be seen in countless structures around the world. This enduring
legacy is a testament to the timeless beauty and enduring principles of Greek design,
which have transcended cultural and historical boundaries to shape the course of
architectural history. The emphasis on clarity, order, and human scale in Greek
architecture has also had a lasting impact on urban planning and civic design,
influencing the layout of cities and the design of public spaces for centuries.