Greek temple architecture

1. Greek Architecture

2. Origin
• The word “architecture” comes
from the Greek word architecton,
which means “master carpenter.”
• Early Greek architecture used
wood, not stone!
• These early structures, as well as
those of mud-brick, have not
survived.
• Therefore, by the 6th
Century BC,
stone replaced wood in the
construction of big structures.

3. • In moving from wood to stone, builders had to
adapt to the differing properties of their building
materials.
• Stone has greater resistance strength than wood, but
it lacks flexibility.
• Therefore, structures had to be thick enough to
resist damage under pressure.

4. Parthenon, Athens

5. Temples
• Unlike modern churches or mosques,
Greek temples were not meant to be
meeting places for religious
gatherings.
• They were homes for the
community’s god or goddess and a
place to keep offerings.
• An image or statue was usually
located in the middle of the chapel.

6. Parts of a Greek Temple
• All columns had a base (except
the Doric), at the bottom, a
shaft in the middle, and a
capital at the top.
• The shaft may be smooth or
fluted.

7. The Doric Order
• Doric columns are the heaviest in
comparison to ionic and cornithian.
• The capital, or top of the column is
plain.
• The shaft is thick & there is no base.

8. The Ionic Order
• This order has greater elegance.
• The capital has distinctive
volutes, or curled scroll
designs.
• The column is thinner than in
the Doric order.
• There is a base.

9. The Corinthian Order
• This is also a tall,
elegant form.
• The capital has
distinctive acanthus
leaf decoration.
• It has a base.

10. Above the column is the
entablature.

11. PEDIMENT:
Depicted scenes related to the
god/goddess of that temple.

12. Temple Plan
• Greek temples, tended to follow
set patterns.
• Variations are few and usually
reflect one of the classical orders,
rather than new and novel design.

13. • The greatness and value
of a temple can be seen
in the number of columns
it has.
• Simple temples have
blank walls around a
naos, or chapel. With an
open area or porch in
front with two or four
supporting columns.

14. Designs of Greek Temples

15. Designs of Greek Temples

16. Designs of Greek Temples

17. Greek Homes
The homes of the
farmers and laborers
were usually small and
made of mud-brick.

18. The middle and upper class Greeks lived in houses very
similar to modern houses today.

19. Other architectural features…

20. Bibiliography
• http://www.bbc.co.uk
• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ancient_Greek_architecture
• http://www.ancient.eu/Greek_Architecture
• http://ancient-greece.org/architecture

21. Thank You