GREEK AND ROMAN ARCHITECTURE

Greek Period
Denominated

as perfect art. Between VII B.C.- I A.D. Located in poor lands, colonization of other lands. Politically from aristocracy to democracy. New philosophies: idealism, humanism and rationalism. Religion through mythology. They use myths to understand the world and educate people.

The Greek art looks for the perfection, they introduce the beauty canon.

3 periods
Archaic

Period (VII B.C.-VI B.C.) Classic Period (V B.C.- IV B.C.) Hellenistic Period (III B.C.- I B.C.)

Archaic Period
Characteristics: Monumental Architecture Limestone and marble Two orders: Doric and ionic.

Temple of Poseidon During the Archaic Age the Greeks developed the most widespread and influential of their new political forms, the city-state, or polis . Rise of the aristocracies. Greek colonization of Southern Italy and Sicily begins.

Classic Period
Characteristics: Athens centre of political and economical power. Mainly Doric order Lighter buildings Parthenon the big construction

Hellenistic Period
Characteristics: Oriental influences Corinthian order New architectural types: altars, porticos, theatres

Architecture
Great quality materials as marble, granite or limestone. They knew the arc but the system for buildings was architrave: solidity, stability. The temple was the architectural expression. Relation between the width and height of the columns. Painted decoration in interiors. Architecture inspired by the human scale.

They look for the harmony which is reflected in the architecture with different orders. The Greek orders are: Doric, Ionic and Corinthian.

Doric Order
It

is the oldest order. Its name comes from the Dorian civilization. Robust order. Fluted column, no base, plain architrave, frieze with metopes and triglyphs.

Ionic Order
It

is more elegant than Doric order. Used for female divines. Its capital characterized for the spiral volutes. Fluted column, ornamented frieze.

Corinthian Order
It

is used in the Hellenistic period. Its name comes from the city of Corinth. Its capital is very characteristic, with acanthus leaves. It is the most ornate.

 In

the classic period we can find another type of order, the caryatid order used in Erechtheum.

Athena Nike

The Temple of Athena Nike part of the Acropolis in the city of Athens. The Greeks built the Temple of Apollo at Didyma, Turkey (about 300 BC). The design of the temple was known as dipteral, a term that refers to the two sets of columns surrounding the interior section. These columns surrounded a small chamber that housed the statue of Apollo. With Ionic columns reaching 19.5 m (64 ft) high, these ruins suggest the former grandeur of the ancient temple.

The temple
The

house of God. It keeps the statue of God. The ceremonies take place out of the temple. The most famous temple is The Parthenon.

Structure of temples

 The

Parthenon and most other temples are situated in Acropolis. Sacred place.

The Parthenon
Dedicated

Atenea. Fidias was the supervisor. Marble of Pentelico, the greatest quality material. Doric order with some ionic elements.

to Palas

Parthenon

Other buildings
The

change from aristocratic to democracy causes the building of new buildings dedicated to pleasure, economy, politic, education Publics buildings around of Agora: the main square. Theatres, amphitheatres, circus

The Agora

The theatre

The brothel

The domus

Roman Period
Transformation

Greek art Adapt it to their needs Very practical Civilization of warriors

of the

Two periods
1-

Republic period (V B.C.-II B.C.) 2- Imperial period ( II B.C III A.D)

Architecture
Monumental

Tuscan

and composite orders Different floor- different order:

1st floor-Tuscan order 2nd floor-ionic order 3rd floor-composite order

Vitruvius
MarcusVitruvius

B.C. De Architectura Concern mainly with architectural proportion

70-90

De Architectura

 Tuscan

Order

 Composite

order

 The

Romans start using the vault and dome. They use arcs and vaults in their constructions. The introduce concrete but decorated with marble or painting. Means of communication: aqueducts, bridges, roads Octagonal structure for cities.

The Forum

The Roman Forum, the heart of Rome. The citizens of Rome spent there a good part of their days. You see the great square, surrounded by temples or justice buildings. This place was full of statues, altars, arches and columns.

A 19th Century rendering of the west end of the Roman Forum showing from left to right;

The Temple
The most famous is The Pantheon(25 BC) They are similar to Greek temples with some modifications Big base Composite order Republic period: Maison Carre in Nimes Imperial period: Pantheon in Rome

Maison Carre

The Pantheon

Plan and elevation

Built by Agripa Round plan with rectangular portico The oldest dome Huge building, it rests on a big base Light passes through an ocular The materials have less importance

Basilica

Rectangular plan Three functions: 1 Commercial meetings 2 Romans meetings 3 Court The basilica of Maxentius

The basilica began to be replaced as a social space for interaction by the baths

Basilica Maxentius, Rome - reconstruction drawing

Pleasure Buildings

PLAN OF DIOCLEATION BATHS 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Swimming pool 2.cold waters 3.Tepid waters 4.Hot waters Either side is palestrae for sports activities surrounded by various assembly rooms.

Baths

Theatre

Amphitheatre

Circus

Baths

House

Earliest Roman Houses

Simple

Habitation Built of wood Pointed roof covered with straw Square with aperture in the top which admitted light and afforded an exit for the smoke Just Vestibulum and one apartment, everything was done here.

Improvements
Numerous

practical improvements were adopted gradually To the atrium added a kitchen, bedroom, a chapel, a court, garden colonnade Foundations of stone made the plain brick structures dry Marble columns: Columns from ancient Greek edifices were employed Mosaic floors

Atrium: Rectangular Lights the space and takes the water to the impluvium Vestibulum: Uncovered space between street and the square Dressing place Tablinum: It is the main room of the house It is used to keep documents Triclinium or dining room: It is at the rear of the building

Atrium

Tablinium

House Garden

Decorated walls

WALL TREATMENT

1st style called

Incrustation
Imitating Greek
flat style

Architectural style-Mid 1ST Century B.C.

Villa of miseries

ORNATE STYLE

INTRICATE STYLE

ORNATE STYLE 3RD STYLE

INTRICATE STYLE 4TH STYLE

MOSAICS: Tesselatum-floor mosaics Stone,terra cotta

MOSAICS Opus museum-Wall treatment

Reconstruction of Domus

 House

of a noble was called domus or mansion, usually stood alone surrounded by a garden. Demanded use of marble.

Houses

of the poor were called insulce or island. Built with large block and covered with continuous roof.
they were in Pompeii.

Mostly

HADRIAN VILLA Roman Villa early 2nd century

NEROS GOLDEN HOUSE

NEROS GOLDEN HOUSE