Page 462 - (DK) The Ultimate Visual Dictionary 2nd Ed.

ARCHITECTURE

Ancient Greece CAPITALS OF THE THREE ORDERS OF
ANCIENT GREEK ARCHITECTURE

Abacus
THE CLASSICAL TEMPLES OF ANCIENT GREECE were built
according to the belief that certain forms and proportions Echinus
were pleasing to the gods. There were three main ancient Annulet
Greek architectural orders (styles), which can be Trachelion (neck)
distinguished by the decoration and proportions of their DORIC CAPITAL, THE PROPYLAEUM (GATEWAY), THE
columns, capitals (column tops), and entablatures ACROPOLIS, ATHENS, GREECE, 449 BC
(structures resting on the capitals). The oldest is the Abacus Lesbian leaf pattern
Doric order, which dates from the seventh century BC Cyma reversa
Coussinet
and was used mainly on the Greek mainland and in the (cushion) profile
western colonies, such as Sicily and southern Italy. The Volute Echinus with
Temple of Neptune, shown here, is a classic example of egg and dart
this order. It is hypaethral (roofless) and peripteral Eye Palmette decoration
(surrounded by a single row of columns). About a IONIC CAPITAL, THE PROPYLAEUM (GATEWAY), TEMPLE OF
century later, the more decorative Ionic order developed ATHENA POLIAS, PRIENE, GREECE, c.334 BC
on the Aegean Islands. Features of this order include Abacus
volutes (spiral scrolls) on capitals and acroteria Mask
(pediment ornaments). The Corinthian order was invented
Volute
in Athens in the fifth century bc and is typically identified
by an acanthus leaf on the capitals. This order was later Cauliculus
widely used in ancient Roman architecture.
Acanthus
Bell-shaped core leaf
TEMPLE OF NEPTUNE, PAESTUM, ITALY, c.460 BC
CORINTHIAN CAPITAL FROM A STOA (PORTICO),
PROBABLY FROM ASIA MINOR
Raking cornice
Trachelion (neck) Taenia Triglyph Metope Glyph (channel)
Pediment

Doric
entablature

Pteron
(external
colonnade)

Euthynteria Drum Stylobate Column of the Doric order

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