Ancient Greek Architecture

INTRODUCTION
• The civilization of Ancient Greece was one that spanned many years,
and in this time, many the Greeks excelled various fields, such as art,
entertainment, music, government, economy, leadership, science,
mathematics, astronomy, and more. One particular application of
science and mathematics is the ancient Greeks’ stunning and
advanced architecture and engineering. this empire flourished in so
many aspects has influenced a significant portion of our culture
today. Everywhere in one’s life can he see Greek influence on modern
day, especially in Architecture. The ancient Greeks developed and
innovated for hundreds of years; from the 8th century BCE until
around 600 CE
 HISTORY
• The history of the Ancient Greek civilization is divided into two eras,
the Hellenic and the Hellenistic The Hellenic period commenced circa
900 BC, (with substantial works of architecture appearing from about
600 BC) and ended with the death of Alexander the Great in 323 BC.
During the Hellenistic period, 323 BC - AD 30, Hellenic culture was
spread widely, firstly throughout lands conquered by Alexander, and
then by the Roman Empire which absorbed much of Greek culture.
 HISTORY
• The architecture of Ancient Greece is the architecture produced by the
Greek-speaking people (Hellenic people) whose culture flourished on the
Greek mainland and Peloponnesus, the Aegean Islands, and in colonies in
Asia Minor and Italy for a period from about 900 BC until the 1st century
AD, with the earliest remaining architectural works dating from around 600
BC.
• Ancient Greek architecture is best known from its temples, many of which
are found throughout the region, mostly as ruins but many substantially
intact. The second important type of building that survives all over the
Hellenic world is the open-air theatre, with the earliest dating from around
350 BC. Other architectural forms that are still in evidence are the
processional gateway (propylon), the public square (agora) surrounded by
storied colonnade (stoa), the town council building (bouleuterion), the
public monument, the monumental tomb (mausoleum) and the stadium.
 TYPE OF ARCHITECTURE
• Ancient Greek architecture is
distinguished by its highly
formalized characteristics, both of
structure and decoration. This is
particularly so in the case of
temples where each building
appears to have been conceived as
a sculptural entity within the
landscape, most often raised on
high ground so that the elegance of
its proportions and the effects of
light on its surfaces might be
viewed from all angles
 ORIGIN
• Our word “architecture” comes
from the Greek architecton,
which means “master
carpenter.”
• Early Greek architecture
therefore employed wood, not
stone.
• These early structures, as well as
those of mud-brick, have not
survived.
Wood Features in Stone

• By the 6th Century BC,

stone replaced wood
in the construction of
important temples.
• Designs still reflected
their origins in wood,
however.
 TYPE OF ARCHITECTURE
• The formal vocabulary of Ancient
Greek architecture, in particular
the division of architectural style
into three defined orders: the Doric
Order, the Ionic Order and the
Corinthian Order, was to have
profound effect on Western
architecture of later periods. The
architecture of Ancient Rome grew
out of that of Greece and
maintained its influence in Italy
unbroken until the present day
 The Classical Orders
• The three classical
orders are:
• Doric
• Ionic
• Corinthian

• Seen in several of the

buildings
• Parthenon
• Temples
• Theaters
• The rectangular temple is the most common and best-known form of
Greek public architecture. Temples served as the location of a cult
image and as a storage place or strong room for the treasury
associated with the cult of the god in question,, and as a place for
devotees During the late 5th and 4th centuries BC, town planning
became an important consideration of Greek builders, with towns
such as Paestum and Priene being laid out with a regular grid of
paved streets and an agora or central market place, Every Greek town
had an open-air theatre. These were used for both public meetings as
well as dramatic performances. The theatre was usually set in a
hillside outside the town, and had rows of tiered seating set in a
semicircle around the central performance area, the orchestra
 important structures

• The important structures if ancient greek architecture includes many

building some of which will be explained in the coming slides
Temples
• Unlike modern churches or
mosques, Greek temples
were not meant to be
meeting places for
congregations.
• They were homes for the
community’s god or
goddess and a place to keep
offerings
• A cult image was centrally
located within a naos, or
chapel.
Temples

• In the mild climate of Greece, ceremonies generally

took place outdoors.
• Even the alter, upon which sacrifices were made,
were outside the temple structure.
 Imp Structures – The
Acropolis
• The most famous Greek
buildings topped the
Athenian Acropolis.
• These include: the
Propylaea, the Temple of
Athena Nike, the
Parthenon, and the
Erectheum.
• Propylaea is the
monumental entry point to
the acropolis
The Parthenon
• This is the most important and
perfectly formed temple on the
acropolis.
• Dedicated to Athena, it housed
an enormous cult image.
• This building is the culmination
of Classical Greek architecture.
• One of the Parthenon’s most
impressive features was not
seen by most worshippers – the
great frieze showing the
Panathenaic Procession.
• The Erechtheum is a complex building of up to four distinct spaces

• The Great Altar of Pergamum, This Hellenistic

• completely with traditional style
 GOALS OF ANCIENT GREEK
ARCHITECTURE
• The purpose of ancient Greek structures reflected their culture, which were
heavily influenced by their religion and entertainment. The most commonly
found building is the temple, as ancient Greeks were polytheistic and prayed to a
plethora of gods and goddesses. The Romans based their architecture off that of
the ancient Greeks because when the Greek Empire fell, many immigrated to
Rome, and diffused their culture into Rome. Roman columns are similar to the
Greeks' in structure; they added bases to Doric columns but mainly used the
fancier Corinthian columns. Temples were different in structure, but the Romans
used pediments and adopted the Greek word "basilica," meaning royal; Roman
theaters were also modified Greek theaters. While the Greeks are most famous
for their column, the Romans are known for their use of the arch.
• Ancient Greek civilization was one of the most advanced societies in
history. They flourished in countless areas, including art, music, government,
economics, and architecture
The Greek Heritage
• Today, elements of Greek
architecture surround us
everywhere, from the Doric
columns gracing local homes to
the great Ionic capitals of the
Vancouver Art Gallery.
The Greek Heritage
• Greek forms
have become an
integral part of
the vocabulary
of world
architecture

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