Art history final

                 For this post we are going to be talking about the types of columns used in ancient greek. Now I'm sure we all had seen Greek architecture at some point whether in movies like the movie Hercules, or in Video games like Immortal Fenyx rising. Has seen in the games the type of buildings they would build ranged from Temples to theaters they built a lot of different architecture for their buildings. The one thing all the buildings usually had in common were columns. There are multiple types of pillars they use, and they are separated into different orders, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian, they were all named in the time of the romans.

                Now we all know that the Greek had a preference for marble, at least for public buildings. Initially though they used wood to make the Columns and the entire buildings themselves. The thing that the Greek were most famous for were their temples in the Doric and Ionic styles. Such temples like the temple of Hera, in Selinus. Actually, a lot of main land temples follow the same floor plan like the temple of Hera. Some of the more notable exceptions are the eccentric Erechtheion of Athens with its innovative Caryatid columns or the temples of the Cyclades which, are still Doric, only had columns on the front face of the temple.

                Down below in the gallery I will be talking about three different images those being one of each order of architecture. Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian being them. Then I'll be talking about the exception of the Erechtheion of Athens with its Caryatid columns compare to the normal columns used by the Greek. It will go in the order above so let's get started with Doric Architecture.

                                      Iktinos and Kallikrates, The Parthenon, 447 – 432 B.C.E., Athens

                   Above is a building know has The Parthenon, or the great temple of Athena the goddess of wisdom and tactics. Now the Doric order is the oldest of the three orders the Greeks actually use and not just influence. Doric represents the change from impermanent materials like wood to a more permanent material mostly stone. Doric is characterized with its columns resting directly on the stylobate (stairs) of the temple. The Columns themselves are said to be sturdy, if not stocky in design. It was the predominant order for their temples for a time. some other examles of its uses are the Temple of Apollo at Thermon, the sanctuary of Hera at Argos, and the votive capitals from the island of Aegina.

                                         North porch of the Erechtheion, 421-407 B.C.E., marble, Acropolis, Athens
               As the name suggest the Ionic order was founded in Ionia, a coastal region of central Anatolia (today Turkey) where a number of ancient Greek settlements were located. Unlike the Doric order the Ionic columns had scroll like designs at the top of the columns. It also has a base that holds it up unlike the Doric which is directly on the ground. The first great ionic building was a temple dedicated to Hera on the island of Samos, built by the architect Rhoikos. Though it was destroyed by an earth quake. The ionic is known for its sleek, and graceful proportions giving a slenderer and elegant look. The ionic was even compared to a more feminine look then the more masculine looking Doric.

                                                      

                                               Temple of Apollo Epikourios in Bassae (420-400 B.C.)
                                Corinthian order is the youngest and most elaborate architecture order. It was used in both greek and roman architecture with minor variations between the two and gave rise to the composite order. The origin of the order given its name is connected to the Greek city Corinth, the sculptor Callimachus drew a set of acanthus leaves surrounding a votive basket for the top of the. The above picture is of the columns of the Temple of apollo in Bassae. Over time the columns have eroded and lost their toppers. It is also the only temple to combine three architectural orders, Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders. Though it was abandoned in the late Roman era. Its roof collapsed into the interior causing extensive damage. The outer colonnade remained standing throughout time.

                                          Erechtheion of Athens, sculptor Phidias (420 – 406 BC),

                    This is the  Erechtheion of Athens Right off the back you can see the difference from the other orders. The Caryatid columns are columns that take the form of a standing female figure. The most famous Caryatid are the ones at the Erechtheion of Athens. The Caryatids show features which become a staple of sculptures. Cloths that cling to the body a bold more dynamic positing of the hips and legs. Though they wear the same robes.

a belted Doric peplos and short himation is uniquely rendered for each of the Caryatids. The interstice hair best seen from the back and their arms have sadly been lost.

Reference list 

Cartwright, M. (2021, November 26). Greek architecture. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://www.worldhistory.org/Greek_Architecture/. 

Becker, D. J. A., & Becker, D. J. A. (n.d.). Greek architectural orders. Smarthistory. Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://smarthistory.org/greek-architectural-orders/. 

Museum, T. B., & Museum, T. B. (n.d.). The Parthenon, Athens. Smarthistory. Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://smarthistory.org/the-parthenon-athens/.

Greek architecture (c.900-27 BCE). Greek Architecture: History, Characteristics. (n.d.). Retrieved November 29, 2021, from http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/architecture/greek.htm.

Architectural Bling Inc. (n.d.). Architectural decorative elements. Architectural Bling Inc. Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://architecturalbling.com/the-tuscan-order.. 

Cartwright, M. (2021, November 26). Caryatid. World History Encyclopedia. Retrieved November 29, 2021, from https://www.worldhistory.org/Caryatid/.

Temple of Apollo Epikourios in Bassae. World Heritage Journeys of Europe. (n.d.). Retrieved December 6, 2021, from https://visitworldheritage.com/en/eu/temple-of-apollo-epikourios-in-bassae/0c276c8a-4b97-4129-b7a1-117352d8251e.