GREEK ARCHITECTURE

CHRONOLOGY OF GREEK ARCHITECTURE

1. HELLADIC PERIOD in the AEGEAN AREA (CRETE) EARLY PERIOD 3000 – 2000 BCMIDDLE / MINOAN PERIOD 2000 – 1125 BC

PALACE OF MINOS at KNOSSOSLATE/ MYCENAEAN PERIOD 1600 – 1050 BC

CITADEL OF MYCENAE LION GATE at MYCENAE TREASURY OF ATREUS (TOMB OF AGAMEMNON – THOLOS)

2. GREEK / HELLENIC ARCHITECTURETHE DARK AGE 1000-750 BCE

ARCHAIC PERIOD 750 – 479 BCGREEK AGORA

3. CLASSICAL PERIOD 479 – 336 BCACROPOLIS- PARTHENON, ERECHTHEON (Temples)

4. HELLENISTIC PERIOD 323 – 30 BCTHEATRE EPIDAURUS, TOWER OF WINDS

AEGEAN / MINOAN ARCHITECTURE

The Aegean period has 2 distinct architectural traditions:1. Typical house: a free standing hut with a single room found in the

mainland and the region of Troy2. House: a totally random asymmetrical agglomeration of rooms

found in Asia Minor and Crete

MEGARON PLAN: CITADEL OF TROYIncluded a large rectangular hall consisting of a room which was

nearly square with a deep porch formed by extending the side walls

This was the basis for all Classical Greek TemplesBy the 2nd millennium BC the houses developed into an

agglomeration of buildingsThe typologies were:

• Palaces – king’s palace, administrationPlaces of manufacture & storageThe arrangement of rooms was

Asymmetrical Around a central court, Totally enclosed

AEGEAN / MINOAN ARCHITECTUREPALACE OF MINOS AT KNOSSOS

Typical Minoan Architecture•Arranged around a central open court 170’ x 82.5’•The building covered 4 acres

Exterior planning:•Paved West court•Crossed by raised walks typical Minoan feature•Overlooked by a monumental West Façade•At the S end was the Principle Entrance•Palace building was 2 storeys•Ground floor -storage rooms

west wing had oil jars north wing had granaries

•Throne room – important room at the W endapproached from an Anteroom at a level lower than the Courtopened by 4 pairs of Folding Doorsthe room was for religious purpose rather than royal purposeStone Throne against the N wall flanked by benchesWalls decorated with Frescoes

AEGEAN / MINOAN ARCHITECTUREPALACE OF MINOS AT KNOSSOS

Principal floor- 1st floorW wing had spacious state

roomsRooms arranged for functional

purposeCeremonial rather than for

symmetryN of Court - separate Entrance approached from the

Theatric Area outside the palaceE wing - central hall of statesSE corner - accommodate 3 stories of Royal Apartments

•Uppermost level with court•Other 2 below the court level•Faces Eastwards facing terraced gardens•Rooms were isolated from the court connected with each other•Passages lit by 3 light wells•Approached by rows of double doors, opened or partially shut off•Designed to permit cool air or shut out the intense heat of Cretan summer

Typical Minoan Character:•Stairways•Light wells•Colonnades•Cypress wood•Drainage & sanitation system•The planning is chaotic but a result of organic growth

AEGEAN / MINOAN ARCHITECTUREPALACE OF MINOS AT KNOSSOS

AEGEAN / MINOAN ARCHITECTUREPALACE OF MINOS AT KNOSSOS

MYCENEAN ARCHITECTUREPALACE AT MYCENAE

Large fortifications similar to that of Tiryns (neighboring)Principal feature – Entrance protected by flanking Bastions

Lion Gate of Mycenae- At the inner end- Great upright stone jambs 10’ high

Support an immense lintel 16’ x 3’6” x 8’Over an opening 10’ wideAbove was a triangular, corbelled

opening filled with a stone Relief depicts 2 rampart lions facing a central column of the typicalidownward tapering type

Enclosure - Inside the fortification is a circular enclosure • Formed by an inner and an outer row of continuous upright

stones with horizontal slabs over them• Surrounded the shaft graves of the burial place of kings• Houses inside• Shrine among themShrine - House of idols

Had fresco painting depicting a goddessHad terracotta cult figures

Palace - at the top of the citadel Plastered court led to the Megaron Plan 42’6” x 39’3”

MYCENEAN ARCHITECTURETREASURY OF ATREUS 1350 – 1250 BC

•Also known as the Tomb of Agamemnon•The most splendid Tholos at Mycenae •A Tholos is a circular structure•A beehive shaped tomb

•Excellent quality Stone Masonry throughout•Dromos: 20’ x118’ •Side walls rises to a max. 45’ at the entrance to the chamber•Chamber: 47’6” Dia. 48’high

•34 circular courses of masonry gives curvature by cutting •Capped with single block of stone•Metal decoration on walls

•Rock cut Chamber•27’ sq., 19’ high•Lined with masonry•Place of burial

DROMOSCHAMBER

ROCK CUT

Entrance - doorway 17’9” highFaçade 34’ highPassageway 5.4m long

•Roofed by 2 enormous limestone lintels 8x5x1.5•On either side of the door are 2 green limestone half columns•Usual tapering form decorated with bands of Chevron pattern•The triangle over the lintel has slabs of deep red stone•Carved with horizontal bands of spirals & mouldings with plain bands in between

Lintel - a strip of green stoneCarved with rows of discsSurmounted by rising spirals

and the Triglyph and Metope pattern

MYCENEAN ARCHITECTURETREASURY OF ATREUS 1350 – 1250 BC

GREEK ARCHITECTUREEVOLUTION OF CITY STATES

During the Dark Ages Greece underwent depopulation both in the mainland & Aegean. The N migrants brought with them the dialect – Dorian, Laconia, Corinthia, and adjacent areas of Crete & RhodesMigrants to E Aegean spoke Ionian which was used in AthensThese dialects are equated with the principle geographic divisions with the characteristic architectural formsThe revival in Greece began in the 8th c.Evidence of renewal of overseas trading contactsThe smaller Greek communities grew richer by amalgamating with their neighbours and formed larger states – Polis (city state)This was the political entity in the classical periodThe main city states of Greece were- Athens, Corinth, Argos, Sparta in the mainlandE Aegean, Samos, Chios, Smyrna, Ephysus & MiletusEach city state was jealous of its autonomy and independenceIn Classical Greece, the polis was of paramount importance with the individual as a subordinateAll aspects of life were under the protection of the GodsMovement of Greek colonies overseas (Italy, Sicily, N Africa, Black sea) was challenged by the rise of major states in the EGreeks supported by Lydian kings who were overwhelmed by Persia in the 6th c.A period of flux in the civilization with pressure from the Persians and rivalry between Athens and SpartaGradual political chaos and decline of the civilization with a brief transformation by the Macedonian rule and Alexander (Hellenistic)After Alexander in 323 BC the Greek cities established their freedom for the Achaean and Aetolian confederation

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – ARCHAIC PERIOD 8TH – 6TH c. BC

CULTURAL FACTORSReligious belief was constantly changing with new cults introduced time to timeGods were all powerful Regular ritual of sacrifice to the God which required an open altar or spaceTemple buildings developed later based on the importance and wealth of the cultBuildings were considered as offerings and were hence magnificently executed

Other typologies:1. Agora: the Greek society and political system was dependent on gatherings

With the growth of an organized town, the Agora was a central element in the town plan

The Agora was an open space with structures required for functioning of the polis at its edge

2. Domestic architecture: houses turned their back on the streetsInward facing a courtyardDivision between male and female quarters

3. Greek city: Temple was the principle building – a simple rectangular roofed structureDesigned to be admired from outsideBuildings were built around a central courtyard or spaceAppreciated only from within the courtSeries of separate buildings with porticoes or colonnades Colonnaded courts a feature of Hellenistic cities

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – ARCHAIC PERIOD 8TH – 6TH c. BCGREEK AGORA – URBAN ARCHITECTURE

The Agora was the heart of ancient Athens, the focus of political, commercial, administrative and social activity, the religious and cultural centre, and the seat of justice.

A large, open public space which served as a place for assembly of the citizens and, hence, the political, civic, religious and commercial center of a Greek city.

Buildings for all of these various purposes were constructed as needed in and around the agora. Formal layout of the agora was developed in the Hellenistic period. The Greek agora is the predecessor of the forum of imperial Rome.

•Situated to the N of the Acropolis•Built during the early Archaic period•An essential stage in its development as a civic core was due to the drainage developed by Peisistratos in the 2nd half of the 6th c.

•Drain built in polygonal masonry along the W boundary of the Agora

•The civic and the religious buildings were built along the perimeter of the agora

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – ARCHAIC PERIOD 8TH – 6TH c. BCGREEK AGORA – URBAN ARCHITECTURE

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – ARCHAIC PERIOD 8TH – 6TH c. BCGREEK AGORA – URBAN ARCHITECTURE

The main typologies in the Greek Agora were:

I Temples Temple of Hephaisteion

II Stoas- a portico or a detached colonnade

These provided shelter and were

multifunctional

They were separate self contained rectangular buildings which developed giving the Agora the appearance of a colonnaded courtyard

1. Stoa of Zeus• Doric stoa on the W• Late 5th c.• 2 aisles with projecting

wings• Inner ionic colonnade

due to greater height which supported a wooden ridge beam

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – ARCHAIC PERIOD 8TH – 6TH c. BCGREEK AGORA – URBAN ARCHITECTURE

2. Stoa of Attalus• Addition during Hellenistic• 2 storied 116m x 19.4m• Doric in ground floor and Ionic in

upper with a balustrade• Marble structure• A row of rooms on both floors

3.Royal stoa

4.South stoa• 80.5m x 14.9m• Doric colonnade• Inner ionic colonnade• Behind the colonnade was a row

of 15 rooms each 4.9m square with off center doors and plinths around the walls to accommodate 7 dining couches

• Superstructure of mud brick• Floors and colonnades of beaten

earth hence rarely well preserved

5.Middle stoa

III Administrative buildings:Provided closed accommodation

a)Bouleuterion was the council houseHeld 500 peopleSquare building with windows and a pyramidal

roofHad an anteroom and an auditorium

b)Tholos was a circular hall used for dining by the councilMade of unbaked mud brickConical roof with tiles

IV Heliaea – courtyard structure on the S- meeting place of the jury

V Shrine of Theseus – walled enclosure containing famous wall paintings

VI Fountain houses- colonnaded structures on the S side with a portico

VII Mint – public buildingsVIII Altar dedicated to the 12 Olympian godsIX Gymnasias ,stadias added later for the public

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – ARCHAIC PERIOD 8TH – 6TH c. BCGREEK AGORA – URBAN ARCHITECTURE

Agora at Athens

Temple of Hephaistos

Stoa of Zeus EleutheriosTemple of Apollo Patroos

BouleuterionMetroon

Agora at Athens

Altar of the Twelve Gods

The Odeion of Agrippa The Royal Stoa (Stoa Basileios).

Gymnasium

Tholos

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – CLASSICAL PERIOD 479-336 BCGREEK ORDERS - DORIC

The principle orders of Classical Greek architecture are:• Doric • Ionic• Corinthian DORIC ORDERThe Doric order was the most commonly used order for the facades of temples and structures

till the mid classical period when the ionic orders were also used in the exteriors

DORIC COLUMN• The Doric Column stands directly on the Crepis (Crepidoma)

• The Crepidoma is normally 1-3 in templesShaft height:• The columns are thick with the Height = 4D (diameter)• In the 5th c. the height was increased to 5½– 5¾ D• In the Hellenistic period the height was increased to 7DShaft:The shaft tapers to ¾ - ⅔ DDivided into 20 flutes or channels, 12, 16,18, 24Sharp “arrises” Slight convex profile called Entasis to counteract concave appearance of straight

columnsHypotrachelion: Shaft terminates in the form of 3 grooves or 1 on block which forms the

capitalTrachelion: the continuation of the fluted shaft also known as necking

Capital:The distinctive capital consists of the Abacus and the Echinus

Abacus: This is the square slab forming the top of the capitalWith or without moulding Supported the Entablature

Echinus:Near the base of the Echinus are Annulets 3-5 in number which stop the vertical lines of the Arrises and flutes of the shaftIt projects considerably and is fuller in outline in the early periodIn the period of the Parthenon the projection is less with a subtle profileIn the Hellenistic period the whole capital is shallow with the curve of the Echinus approaching a straight line

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – CLASSICAL PERIOD 479-336 BCGREEK ORDERS - DORIC

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – CLASSICAL PERIOD 479-336 BCGREEK ORDERS - DORIC

DORIC ENTABLATUREConsists of 3 main components:

1. Architrave – The principal beam which is made up of 2 – 3 slabs of stone in

depth, the outermost showing a vertical face in the façadeTaenia: The flat projecting band capping the

ArchitraveRegulae: strips of stone at intervals

corresponding to the TriglyphsGuttae: small conical drops below the Regulae

normally 6 in number2. Frieze –Triglyph:

These consist of 2 vertical channels (glyphs) and 2 half channels at each side, hence amounting to 3 (tri)

Aligned over each column and centrally over each intercolumniation

2 Triglyphs meet in the corner to form a beveled edge

Doric orders must end with a Triglyph, the outermost one is moved outwards from its position over center of the column

The columns are hence brought closer at the corners

Metope:The square spaces which are ornamented

with fine relief sculpture

3. Cornice / Geison –

The upper or the crowning partSoffit: the underside with an inclination to the slope of the roof

Mutules: Flat blocks over each Triglyph and Metope ornamented with 18 Guttae in 3 rows of 6 each

Corona: vertical face with an overhanging drip at the bottom

Sima: continuous gutter - often omitted eg. At the ParthenonCrowns the raking cornice of the pedimentNot provided with Mutules

Antifixae: ends of cover tiles stopped by an ornamental element

The pediment crowns the Doric Entablature consisting of the Tympanum and the Acroterion.

The Tympanum is the triangular portion with fine relief work depicting scenes from religion

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – CLASSICAL PERIOD 479-336 BCGREEK ORDERS - DORIC

GREEK ARCHITECTURE –GREEK ORDERS - IONIC

IONIC ORDERThe Ionic order includes the Base and the Capital. It made its appearance in the 4th c. BC

IONIC COLUMNBase:There were different forms of the base used in eastern Greek are, which developed in the 5th c. BC in Athens with a small moulding

Shaft:Height is 9 – 10 D (including the base & shaft)24 flutes with flattened Arrises, 40,44,48 flutes also present

Capital: •Consists of 2 pairs of Volutes or spirals•⅔ D with 1 pair in the front of the column and the other at the back•Joined on the sides by a concave cushion•Plain or ornamented with numerous flutes, fillets or beads•The Volute scroll rests on an Echinus which is circular in plan•Carved with an Egg & Dart Moulding usually with running Palmettes where it disappears under the Volutes•The Abacus is shallow•The Ionic Capital presented difficulties at the corners where a Canted Volute was used•In the Hellenistic period the capital has 4 fronts

GREEK ARCHITECTURE –GREEK ORDERS – IONIC CAPITAL

GREEK ARCHITECTURE –GREEK ORDERS - IONIC

Entablature:Consisted of 2 components:

1. Architrave –Normally a 3 fasciae (3 rows in front face)Capped by 2 mouldings, a low Astragal and a high Ovolo

2. Cornice – • The cornice supported on a frieze of large Dentils• The Entablature was hence light compared to the Columns being

only -1/6 H• The height was increased by the addition of the vertical parapet

Sima with carved decoration as for the Frieze with Dentils under the cornice

• There were a lot of differences in the order from place to place• The order was first used for the treasuries• In the 5th c. used for Temples such as the Erechtheon & Temple

of Nike• In the mainland a frieze was inserted in the entablature but the

dentils were omitted• The frieze when present was a continuous band of sculpture• The Ionic Temples did not have Antifixae on the flanks, instead

the Sima was carried along the side cornices too• Often ornamented with an Acanthus scroll• Carved lion heads served to throw rainwater from the roof

GREEK ARCHITECTURE –GREEK ORDERS - CORINTHIAN

CORINTHIAN ORDER•This order 1st made its appearance in the 5th c. BC as a decorative variant of the Ionic•The main difference was in the capital•Used first only for the internal colonnades or fancy monuments•Its use as an external colonnade was in the Hellenistic Period•The distinctive capital is much deeper than the ionic and was of a variable height first•The proportion of the capital was finally - 1⅓ H•The invention of the Corinthian Capital was due to Callimachus•a famous sculptor in bronze. He observed a basket over the grave of a maiden. The basket was placed over the root of the Acanthus plant, the stems and foliage of which grew and turned into volutes at the angle of the tile

Corinthian Capital:•A deep inverted bell•The lower part is surrounded by 2 tiers of 8 acanthus leaves•From between the leaves of the upper row rise 8 Caulicoli (caulis-stalk)•Each is surmounted by a calyx from which emerge volutes or helices supporting the angles of the abacus and the central foliated ornaments•Each face of the moulded Abacus is curved outwards to the corners where it ends either in a point or is chamfered

[Explain the Ionic shafts and entablature for the Corinthian too. Only the capital and the Height is different]

GREEK ARCHITECTURE –GREEK ORDERS - CORINTHIAN

IONIC BASE

IONIC ENTABLATURE

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – CLASSICAL PERIOD 479-336 BCGREEK TEMPLES

The Greeks recognized separate areas as sacred to God in Towns and VillagesSome were on sites occupied in the Late Bronze Age where there were remains of earlier walls and some continuity of cultOthers were chosen buildings of natural distinctions such as proximity of springs

Towns:Some sanctuaries were in walled citadelSeveral others in the countrysideRarely walled, formal gateways infrequent

All sanctuaries included a temple

Temples:Varied in detailConsisted of a simple rectangular building to hold the statues of godsThe statue stood in the Cella or NaosThe width of the Naos was limited by restricted sizes of timber roofsThe side wall extended to form Porch (traditional Megaron Plan)Porches were embellished with columns

MEGARON PLAN

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – CLASSICAL PERIOD 479-336 BCGREEK TEMPLES

NAOSTREASURY(Offering) ANTIS

PROSTYLE

FLANK

Columns:Placed either between the ends of side walls in ANTISIn a row in front of them – PROSTYLE

Description:Conventional consists of a Greek numeral + word STYLE (stylos is the greek word for column)

Distyle -2 Tristyle -3Tetrastyle -4 Pentastyle -5Hexastyle -6 Heptastyle-7Octastyle -8 Enneastyle-9Decastyle -10

(Odd nos. were unusual in early buildings)Distyle was common in the Antis

No. of columns forming the façade:Peripteral - cella surrounded by columns

Columns along the flank variableIn Doric Temples of 5th c. the No.of columns on the flank = 2 no.on façade +1Length reflects internal arrangementThere may be extra rooms or false porches at the back

Externally:Temples made larger and impressive using double rows of external columnsDipteral – 2 rowsTripteral – 3 rowsEg. Temple of Athena Nike – Tetrastyle

Temple of Athena Delphi – HexastylePseudodipteral the outer columns are spaced as though there were a 2nd or internal row which is not present or omitted

GREEK ARCHITECTURE – CLASSICAL PERIOD 479-336 BCGREEK TEMPLES

Temples in Sanctuaries:These may contain more than 1 templeThey may include a temple of lesser importance than the principal building.Eg. Temple of Artemis in Asklepios at EpidaurusOr may be temples constructed at different periods but of equal importanceEg. Temple of Selinus in Sicily

Altars:Often monumental,RectangularEmbellished with architectural motifs and mouldingsTriglyphs & Metopes, FriezesScreens of columnsAll sanctuaries had altars

Sanctuary:Became full of monuments, statues, other offering roomsOften placed on an elaborate high base, with exedrae, rectangular or semicircular seats and recessesPossible to distinguish the most sacred area which was near the temple and altarLess holy areas devoted to human involvement in cult and ritual

Less Holy Areas:Outer areas

Theatre, Stadium, Hippodrome, Exercise ground, Palastroi, Gymnasium close to stadiumSacred banquet for privileged worshippers who consumed their share of sacrificial meals while reclining on couches

Thesaurus- Treasury- Building resembling a small peripteral temple offered to God from individual citiesLavishly decoratedCommemorating some important eventVictory in War – Athenian treasury in Delphi